Tour de France: route, timetable, favorites and curiosities of the ninth stage
Everything you need to know about the race and its side events, including the ninth stage between Chinon and Châteauroux.
Stage profile: Chinon-Châteauroux (174.1 km)
The sprinters are expected to be out in force again, as they were yesterday, before tackling a major mountain stage in the Massif Central. For this ninth stage, the Tour de France will start in Chinon and reach Châteauroux. The riders will have to cover 174.1 kilometers on the roads of Indre-et-Loire and Indre. The almost entirely flat route should favor another bunch sprint, especially since the final hundred meters, in a straight line, will allow the teams with the big legs to control any potential attacks. It remains to be seen who will gain the upper hand among the contenders for the green jersey.
Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) will take revenge on Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), who won on Saturday after suffering a bad luck in the final round to Laval , suffering a puncture that dashed his chances of victory. The Belgian will dominate his great rival in the sprints, just as he did last Monday in Dunkirk, since Philipsen's retirement.
The big odds: Wout van Aert finally shows up! After being part of the breakaway on Friday, the Visma rider failed to finish second in the sprint in Laval. His rise to prominence could be rewarded if the Dutch team gives him carte blanche before the big showdown in the mountains the next day.
The fictitious start will be given at 1:10 p.m. from Chinon and the actual start at 1:25 p.m. Arrival is scheduled for 5:17 p.m. with an average speed of 45 km/h.
France 3 from 1:00 p.m. then on France 2 at 3:00 p.m. In full, pay-per-view on Eurosport.
A unique stopover town, Chinon is a medieval commune with its own three castles: Fort du Coudray, Château du Milieu, and Fort Saint-Georges. It also boasts a royal fortress dating back to the 10th century. It's also the birthplace of the writer François Rabelais.
Skip the adChâteauroux is no stranger to hosting a Tour de France stage finish; this will be the fifth time this Sunday. The Indre department's capital is home to several historical and cultural sites worth visiting, such as the 10th- century Château Raoul, the Cordeliers Convent, and the Bertrand Museum (art, history, and archaeology). It is also known for its gastronomy, with its pâté berrichon and green Berry lentils.
Expression of the day: “Being on a potato hunt”
Finding yourself between two groups, unable to catch up with the first while remaining at a distance from the second.
lefigaro
