This very tight first part of the Tour de France 2021. The ninth stage, the Cluses-Tignes: only 144 kilometers, but very tough with four GPMs. Ninth stage, the second in a row on the Alpine mountains: there could still be big differences between the men in the classification. Let’s go and find out in detail.
FOLLOW THE LIVE LIVE OF TODAY’S STAGE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE
ROUTE STAGE OF TODAY TOUR DE FRANCE
After 17 flat kilometers, the road begins to climb on Cote de Domancy: only 2500 meters but with an average gradient of 9.4%. We proceed with the Col de Saisies, which stands out at kilometer 49 with lighter gradients of 6.2%, but nine and a half kilometers long.
Long descent, and immediately the Col du Prè, Hors-Categories of twelve kilometers with gradients of 7.7%, followed immediately by the Cormet de Roselend, 5.7 km at 6.5%. Almost 20 kilometers of descent, about ten on a slight slope and the long final climb towards Tignes, 21 kilometers with a maximum gradient of -5 close to 11%. Slopes that are not impossible, but that make themselves felt after a hard and compact day like this one.
ALTIMETRIA
FAVORITES
After what we saw yesterday, it will once again be a Tadej Pogacar against everyone. The captain of the UAE Emirates, after winning the Yellow Jersey and putting a very important signature towards the title, will surely be attacked by all rivals from the first kilometers: the goal will be to isolate him.
Almost sure to see an Ineos Grenadiers who, despite the difficulties due to falls, will try to challenge the Emirati team. Richard Carapaz he did not go through a great day but he has all the credentials to attempt the assault, at least partial success.
Other riders who can at least try are Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), Rigoberto Uran (EF Nippo), Wilco Kelderman (Bora-hansgrohe) and Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Premier Tech). Watch out for escapes from afar even today, among the possible protagonists Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) and maybe his teammate Vincenzo Nibali, definitively out of the ranking.
––
