Tour de France 2020 Favourites stage 9: For daredevil punchers
The second Pyrenees stage is not as hard as the first one and the race also finishes downhill. Doubtless, master descender Julian Alaphilippe does not mind.
The last part of the Col de Marie Blanque is likely to be of crucial importance. These 4 kilometres climb at almost 12% to the top and after a short section on a plateau the riders plunge down the flanks and into the valley. The last 8 kilometres run false flat uphill to the stage finish in Laruns.
One could argue that this route is tailor-made for the Julian Alaphilippe of last year. The puncher ate the steepest ramps of the Marie Blanque for breakfast, although the 4 kilometres at almost 12% are not isolated – they are preceded by 3.7 kilometres at 5.7%. His form is not as spectacular, but when he is in the mix in the breakaway he could make a difference on this sector before showcasing his downhill skills.
Otherwise, the route is not too demanding, especially when you consider that these are the Pyrenees. Halfway through the race the riders crest the combo Col de La Hourcère and Col de Soudet. The first is 11.1 kilometres long and slopes at 8.8% and following a short descent the route continues to climb for 3.8 kilometres at 8.5% on the Soudet. Apart from these inclination, the riders are mainly treated to undulating roads on the Tour de France’s ninth day of action.
Not for the first time this Tour the legitimate question springs to mind: breakaway men of GC riders?
Favourites 9th stage 2020 Tour de France
*** Davide Formolo, Julian Alaphilippe, Alexey Lutsenko
** Marc Hirschi, Nicolas Roche, Jesús Herrada, Rudy Molard
* Primoz Roglic, Tadej Pogacar, Nairo Quintana, Adam Yates
Take a look at the route of the 9th stage on the Tour de France.
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Sagan keeps lead without winning points - Tour de France 2020 The Route - Tour de France 2020 Riders - Tour de France 2020 Withdrawals - Tour de France 2020 Favourites - Tour de France 2020 GC Favourites - Tour de France 2020 More articles Volta a Catalunya 2024: Live report stage 2
Volta a Catalunya 2024 Route stage 2: Mataró – Vallter 2000
Volta a Catalunya 2024: Riders
Volta a Catalunya 2024: GC Favourites
Volta a Catalunya 2024 Route stage 3: Sant Joan de les Abadesses – Port Ainé
Volta a Catalunya 2024 Route stage 4: Sort – Lleida
Volta a Catalunya 2024 Route stage 5: Altafulla – Viladecans
Volta a Catalunya 2024 Route stage 6: Berga – Queralt
Volta a Catalunya 2024 Route stage 7: Barcelona – Barcelona
E3 Saxo Classic 2024: The Route
E3 Saxo Classic 2024: Riders
Gent - Wevelgem 2024: The Route
Gent – Wevelgem 2024: Riders
Gent - Wevelgem 2024 - women: Route
Dwars door Vlaanderen 2024: The Route
Dwars door Vlaanderen 2024: Riders
Tour of Flanders 2024: The Route
Tour of Flanders 2024: Riders
Cycling Calendar 2024
Tour de France 2024: The Route
Tour de France 2024: Riders
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 1: Florence - Rimini
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 20: Nice - Col de la Couillole
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 21: Monaco - Nice
Giro 2024: The Route
Giro 2024: Riders
Giro 2024 Route stage 1: Turin - Turin
Vuelta 2024: The Route
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!