A quick look at the final kilometers of Stage 9 of the 2019 Tour de France may make one think that it would have the sprinters salivating, but take a look a little ways up the road, and there lies the Côte de Saint-Just (3,7km at an average of 7,3 %), just 13kms from the finish at Brioude.
While that climb is likely to take the sprinters out of the equation, it may not be enough to eliminate a brave breakaway rider still going on his own.
The stage is a hilly 170.5km from St. Etienne to Brioude. While there are just three categorized climbs, there’s still plenty of uncategorized climbing in between. I’d expect the GC contenders to stay together and not try to do anything radical ahead of Monday’s rest day. Deceuninck-Quick Step’s Julian Alaphilippe will proudly parade the maillot jaune along the route for Bastille Day, making the hometown fans cheer.
Arrival town Brioude is known as one of the best small towns in France. If it were closer to a major metropolitan area or along a well travelled tourist route, it likely would have become a different place, but as such, it’s kept its’ character intact.
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
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