Fast and furious finish
Finally we come to something a lot more straightforward and typical of what almost every first-week stage at the Tour used to look like. There is nothing to concern anyone as the race starts to turn south, so expect lots of sunflower shots, a long and probably fruitless breakaway and the sprinters going elbow to elbow at the finish. Mark Cavendish will have particularly happy memories of Châteauroux, as he claimed his first Tour stage win in the town back in 2008. Winner of four stages that year, this is one of just half a dozen opportunities he'll get in this edition.
TOPICS
-
Tadej Pogačar's dominance will open up the race and give us more opportunities - Luke Plapp's Tour de France diary
The Australian rider shares his opening week insights, including TTT disappointment, feeling at home in the heat, and why Pogačar's early exploits could help him and his Jayco-AlUla teammates -
'Not a lot of other things they can do' – Tour de France stage winner Merlier welcomes shortening of stage 9 amid extreme heat
Christian Prudhomme says when race director Gouvenou 'announced it to Pogačar earlier, he thanked him' -
How to watch Tour de France 2026 – Live streams, TV information, official broadcasters
All the ways you can watch or stream the 2026 Tour de France, on TV, on your devices and more from wherever you are in the world, including free options -
Søren Wærenskjold slams Biniam Girmay for Tour de France sprint intimidation
UCI give NSN rider a warning but he avoids relegation in high-speed Bergerac sprint
