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Stage 9 at the 2023 Tour de France is scheduled for Sunday, July 9th and we will see an interesting stage with a finish at the top of the Puy de Dôme.
With that in mind, we have prepared a preview of Tour de France stage 9 just for you, so keep reading to learn more about it.
After yesterday’s pacy finish – the riders arrived at Limoges ahead of schedule – today’s stage will be a stern test of the riders’ endurance and ability to suffer. From the little village of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, the home of the late Raymond Poulidor, the course will take the riders to the peak of the Chaine des Puys in the Massif Central, the Puy de Dome at 1465m above sea level.
Stage 8 Results
Mads Pedersen (DEN, Lidl-Trek) 4hr 12min 26sec
Jasper Philipsen (BEL, Alpecin-Deceuninck) +0″
Wout van Aert (BEL, Jumbo-Visma) +0″
Dylan Groenewegen (NED, Jayo-Alula) +0″
Nils Eekhoff (NED, DSM-Firmenich) +0″
Bryan Coquard (FRA, Cofidis) +0″
Jasper de Buyst (BEL, Lotto Dstny) +0″
Rasmus Tiller (NOR, Uno-x Pro Cycling Team) +0″
Corbyn Strong (AUS, Israel – Premier Tech) +0″
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) +0″
Tour de France Stage 9 Profile – Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat – Puy de Dôme, 182,4 kilometres
Over the distance of 182.4 kilometres, there will be four climbs, three of those of the 3rd and 4th category before the final climb to the Puy de Dome. However, to keep the sprinters happy, after 30 kilometres they can show their talents and dispute over sprint points before they surely will sit back and try to get over the mountains without many problems.
🚲 Stage 9 / Étape 9 🚲
🚩 Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat – 🏁 Puy de Dôme
📏182,4 km
⏰ 13:45 CEST > 18:18 CEST
⛰ 1xHC, 1×3️⃣c, 2×4️⃣c
💚 km 30,4💛#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/1WFZTz2d4f
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 9, 2023
Even though the course has “only” four climbs, the route is a constant up and down which will stretch the peloton before they reach the bottom of the Puy. The first climb comes after 74 kilometres, a category climb, the Côte de Felletin with 2,1km at an average of 5,2% gradient, followed closely by the Côte de Pontcharraud, a 4th category mountain. The last of these minor tests is another 3rd category climb, the Côte de Pontaumur at 125 kilometres.
By then the favourites of the stage and for the overall tour win should be riding side by side. The final climb up the Puy provides the riders with a 13,3 kilometres climb – an HC climb – with an average gradient of 7,7%. Those accustomed to long climbs will relish, others may suffer and wish that this torture will not last too long.
It will be the first time in 35 years that the tour finishes here. It is best remembered for the duel between Jacques Anquetil and Poulidor in 1964 when both fought each other on the way up, with Poulidor winning the stage.
Our Tour de France Stage 9 Predictions – Who to look out for
The wearer of the yellow jersey, Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard, stated that the Puy de Dôme could be decisive, but added that there are still the Alps to come. Just as a reminder, his lead is a mere 25 seconds over Tadej Pogačar in second place. Any slip – not just by these two – but by any contender for the overall lead and the podium, will be punished by the others.
Besides these two, plenty of riders will try their luck today. It will be interesting to see whether the current polka-dot jersey, Neilson Powless of EFE will be able to hold on to it or even take his chances and extend his lead in this ranking. We may not forget Nils Pollitt who has impressed in the mountains in the previous years.
One important factor once again will be the heat and how riders will handle it. With the rest day on Monday, there may be a small chance some unfancied riders might try their luck.
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