Stage 11 will start in the tiny village of Vatan - population 2,000 - and symbolises a tribute to rural France. Vatan (pronounced 'Va-t'en', which means 'get lost') hosted a meeting of representatives of villages with similarly funny-sounding names last year - such as 'Montéton' ('my tit') or 'Trécon' ('Very stupid').
The peloton might not have a chance to laugh though, as the 192km-journey to Saint-Fargeau as the stage promises to be fast. The 2009 green jersey of best sprinter could be decided today!
Vaughters' views
A day for the French, perhaps? Jerome Pineau or Perrick Fedrigo?
If the break comes back, which it may, another hotly contested sprint finish in which guys are pushing and poking for 2nd and 3rd too, as the race for the green jersey will be intense during these middle days.
-
The Polar H9 Heart Rate Sensor is our top value pick – It's just dropped by 37% to a best-ever price, in this Amazon cycling deal
The H9 covers all the bases in 'basic' HR tracking, and with £24 off, it's now even better value for money -
Ally Wollaston continues flying start to season as she clinches New Zealand national road race title
Group of seven gets away early in the race and FDJ United-SUEZ rider jumps on final climb to line to take emphatic victory -
Flat-bars or drop-bars at Leadville Trail 100 MTB? This high-altitude endurance race doesn't have a handlebar problem, it has an identity crisis
'Courses dictate our equipment choices' as Lauren De Crescenzo and other riders dissect the 100 miles of Leadville regarding safety issues, equipment setups and a solution -
'You need to use every opportunity' - FDJ United-SUEZ forced to get creative without a top sprinter at the UAE Tour Women
'It was a good start into the season, even though we didn't have the result' newest recruit Franziska Koch on competing with the world's top-ranked team
