{"id":1277,"date":"2025-05-29T14:11:06","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T12:11:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/?page_id=1277"},"modified":"2025-07-11T16:37:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T14:37:11","slug":"route-stage-9","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/tour-de-france-2025\/route-stage-9\/","title":{"rendered":"Tour de France 2025 Stage 9 Route, Sprint Finish &amp; Key Moments"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);text-align:left;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5\"]{font-size:25px;}}<\/style>\n<h1 class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_c8727c-e5\">Tour de France 2025: Stage 9 Route \u2013 Chinon to Ch\u00e2teauroux<\/h1>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column1277_aeba88-26 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_aeba88-26 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_aeba88-26 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_aeba88-26 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_aeba88-26 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_aeba88-26 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_aeba88-26 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_aeba88-26{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_aeba88-26 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_aeba88-26 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_aeba88-26\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71, .site .entry-content .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kb-btns1277_5f3798-71, .site .entry-content .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kb-btns1277_5f3798-71{margin-right:350px;margin-bottom:-30px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kb-btns1277_5f3798-71{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-5xl, 10rem);padding-bottom:0px;gap:var(--global-kb-gap-xs, 0.5rem );justify-content:center;align-items:center;}.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71 .kt-button{font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;}.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71 .kt-btn-wrap-0{margin-right:5px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button{color:#555555;border-color:#555555;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button:hover, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button:focus{color:#ffffff;border-color:#444444;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button::before{display:none;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button:hover, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button:focus{background:#444444;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71, .site .entry-content .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kb-btns1277_5f3798-71, .site .entry-content .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kb-btns1277_5f3798-71{margin-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kb-btns1277_5f3798-71{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71, .site .entry-content .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns1277_5f3798-71, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kb-btns1277_5f3798-71, .site .entry-content .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kb-btns1277_5f3798-71{margin-right:0px;margin-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kb-btns1277_5f3798-71{padding-right:0px;padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-5xl, 10rem);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn kb-buttons-wrap kb-btns1277_5f3798-71\"><style>ul.menu .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn1277_2dcf2f-d8.kb-button{width:initial;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn1277_2dcf2f-d8.kb-button{color:#ffff00;background:#000000;font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-sm, 0.9rem);font-family:Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-top:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;border-left:1px solid #000000;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);margin-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);margin-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}.kb-btn1277_2dcf2f-d8.kb-button .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#ff0000;font-size:15px;--kb-button-icon-size:15px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn1277_2dcf2f-d8.kb-button:hover, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn1277_2dcf2f-d8.kb-button:focus{color:#000000;background:#ffff00;border-top:1px solid #ffff00;border-right:1px solid #ffff00;border-bottom:1px solid #ffff00;border-left:1px solid #ffff00;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn1277_2dcf2f-d8.kb-button{border-top:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;border-left:1px solid #000000;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn1277_2dcf2f-d8.kb-button:hover, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn1277_2dcf2f-d8.kb-button:focus{border-top:1px solid #ffff00;border-right:1px solid #ffff00;border-bottom:1px solid #ffff00;border-left:1px solid #ffff00;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn1277_2dcf2f-d8.kb-button{border-top:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;border-left:1px solid #000000;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn1277_2dcf2f-d8.kb-button:hover, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn1277_2dcf2f-d8.kb-button:focus{border-top:1px solid #ffff00;border-right:1px solid #ffff00;border-bottom:1px solid #ffff00;border-left:1px solid #ffff00;}}<\/style><a class=\"kb-button kt-button button kb-btn1277_2dcf2f-d8 kt-btn-size-standard kt-btn-width-type-auto kb-btn-global-outline kt-btn-has-text-true kt-btn-has-svg-true wp-block-kadence-singlebtn\" href=\"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/tour-de-france-2025\/stage-9-results\/\"><span class=\"kt-btn-inner-text\">Stage 9 Results<\/span><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-ic_record kt-btn-icon-side-right\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 8 8\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M3 0c-1.66 0-3 1.34-3 3s1.34 3 3 3 3-1.34 3-3-1.34-3-3-3z\" transform=\"translate(1 1)\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_540003-f2, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_540003-f2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_540003-f2\"]{padding-top:0px;margin-top:-40px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_540003-f2 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_540003-f2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_540003-f2\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_540003-f2 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_540003-f2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_540003-f2\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_540003-f2 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_540003-f2\"><em>View Stage 9 Rankings<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stage 9 delivers one of those quintessential Tour de France days \u2014 a long, flat, high-speed transit through the heart of rural France, from the wine-soaked banks of the Vienne in Chinon to the sprint-rich history of Ch\u00e2teauroux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On paper, it\u2019s a day for the sprinters. The absence of categorised climbs makes the profile look like an ECG in steady rhythm, and the expectation is simple: <strong>a bunch sprint<\/strong>. But this is France in July, and flat doesn\u2019t mean easy. The roads here twist and turn across open plains and through small towns where <strong>echelons<\/strong> could split an inattentive peloton if the wind stirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Expect drama. Expect speed. Expect a furious dash to the line in a finish tailor-made for the world\u2019s fastest men on two wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id1277_74e4bb-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1277_74e4bb-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_74e4bb-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:500px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_74e4bb-88 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_74e4bb-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_74e4bb-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1277_74e4bb-88 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1277_741c71-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column1277_741c71-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_741c71-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_741c71-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_741c71-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_741c71-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_741c71-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_741c71-b4{text-align:left;}.kadence-column1277_741c71-b4{position:relative;}.kadence-column1277_741c71-b4, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1277_741c71-b4:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_741c71-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_741c71-b4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_741c71-b4\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id1277_680934-fa .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;border-left:8px solid #ffff00;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id1277_680934-fa .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);border-top:0px solid var(--global-palette5, #4A5568);border-right:0px solid var(--global-palette5, #4A5568);border-bottom:0px solid var(--global-palette5, #4A5568);border-left:0px solid var(--global-palette5, #4A5568);}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id1277_680934-fa .kb-table-of-contents-title{font-size:25px;letter-spacing:6px;font-family:\"Lucida Console\", Monaco, monospace;font-weight:inherit;font-style:normal;text-transform:uppercase;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id1277_680934-fa .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{font-family:Courier, monospace;font-weight:inherit;font-style:normal;margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);margin-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id1277_680934-fa .kb-table-of-content-list li{margin-bottom:15px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id1277_680934-fa .kb-table-of-content-list li .kb-table-of-contents-list-sub{margin-top:15px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id1277_680934-fa .kb-table-of-content-wrap{border-left:8px solid #ffff00;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id1277_680934-fa .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{border-top:0px solid var(--global-palette5, #4A5568);border-right:0px solid var(--global-palette5, #4A5568);border-bottom:0px solid var(--global-palette5, #4A5568);border-left:0px solid var(--global-palette5, #4A5568);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id1277_680934-fa .kb-table-of-content-wrap{border-left:8px solid #ffff00;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id1277_680934-fa .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{border-top:0px solid var(--global-palette5, #4A5568);border-right:0px solid var(--global-palette5, #4A5568);border-bottom:0px solid var(--global-palette5, #4A5568);border-left:0px solid var(--global-palette5, #4A5568);}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id1277_680934-fa .kb-table-of-contents-title{font-size:22px;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_91bd86-16 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_91bd86-16 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1277_91bd86-16\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);text-align:center;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82\"]{font-size:24px;}}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_6e51b1-82\">What\u2019s Special About Stage 9?<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_8770bf-7f, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_8770bf-7f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_8770bf-7f\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_8770bf-7f mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_8770bf-7f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_8770bf-7f\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_8770bf-7f img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_8770bf-7f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_8770bf-7f\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_8770bf-7f wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_8770bf-7f\">But don\u2019t be fooled by the profile \u2014 there\u2019s still room for mischief. <strong>Crosswinds could strike between km 130 and km 150<\/strong>, where the road opens up through exposed farmland, and you better believe the savvy GC teams will have their eyes peeled. One inattentive moment, one dropped wheel, and your race can unravel faster than a snapped derailleur cable.<br><br>The <strong>final 5 km through Ch\u00e2teauroux<\/strong> is a sprinter\u2019s paradise: <strong>big boulevards, wide roundabouts, and a dead-straight, 500-meter drag strip down Avenue de la Ch\u00e2tre<\/strong> to the line. It\u2019s where raw speed meets fearless positioning and where the best lead-out trains will flex every watt to deliver their fast men to glory.<br><br>In short?<br>This isn\u2019t just a flat stage \u2014 it\u2019s a 2025&#8217;s detailed <strong>showpiece for the fastest humans on two wheels<\/strong>, with green jersey points, sprint bragging rights, and a coveted Tour stage win on the line. Expect the kind of final 3 km that makes commentators scream and fans leap off their couches.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_b642a6-09 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_b642a6-09 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_b642a6-09 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px!important;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1277_b642a6-09\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f\"]{text-align:center;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f\"]{font-size:24px;}}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_18c407-8f\">Detailed Stage 9 Route \u2014 Tour de France 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All eyes will be on the final run-in to <strong>Avenue de la Ch\u00e2tre<\/strong> \u2014 now dubbed <strong>\u2018Cavendish Avenue\u2019<\/strong> \u2014 the stretch of tarmac where sprinting legends are minted. It was here that <strong>Mark Cavendish won his first Tour stage in 2008<\/strong>, and returned for repeat victories in 2011 and 2021, cementing the town\u2019s name in the annals of sprinting history.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1277_62b740-90{margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_62b740-90 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1277_62b740-90 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_62b740-90 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:850px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_62b740-90 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_62b740-90 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_62b740-90 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1277_62b740-90 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1277_cbc5ad-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_cbc5ad-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_cbc5ad-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_cbc5ad-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_cbc5ad-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_cbc5ad-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_cbc5ad-d7{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_cbc5ad-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_cbc5ad-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_cbc5ad-d7\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-table-container1277_398632-77{font-size:15px;overflow-x:auto;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_398632-77 th{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_398632-77 caption{text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_398632-77 td{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_398632-77 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_398632-77 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_398632-77 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-table-container kb-table-container1277_398632-77 wp-block-kadence-table\"><table class=\"kb-table kb-table1277_398632-77\">\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_41ad7a-60{height:55px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_41ad7a-60\">\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_54e831-1e\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Feature<\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_6defd8-35\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Details<\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_1cdf65-61{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_1cdf65-61:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_1cdf65-61\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_515526-63\">\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_847878-fe, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_847878-fe[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_847878-fe\"]{text-align:left;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_847878-fe[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_847878-fe\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;justify-content:left;align-items:start;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_847878-fe[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_847878-fe\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_847878-fe[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_847878-fe\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{padding-top:3px;padding-right:3px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_847878-fe mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_847878-fe[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_847878-fe\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_847878-fe img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_847878-fe[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_847878-fe\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style><p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_847878-fe wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_847878-fe\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-fas_calendar-check kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M436 160H12c-6.627 0-12-5.373-12-12v-36c0-26.51 21.49-48 48-48h48V12c0-6.627 5.373-12 12-12h40c6.627 0 12 5.373 12 12v52h128V12c0-6.627 5.373-12 12-12h40c6.627 0 12 5.373 12 12v52h48c26.51 0 48 21.49 48 48v36c0 6.627-5.373 12-12 12zM12 192h424c6.627 0 12 5.373 12 12v260c0 26.51-21.49 48-48 48H48c-26.51 0-48-21.49-48-48V204c0-6.627 5.373-12 12-12zm333.296 95.947l-28.169-28.398c-4.667-4.705-12.265-4.736-16.97-.068L194.12 364.665l-45.98-46.352c-4.667-4.705-12.266-4.736-16.971-.068l-28.397 28.17c-4.705 4.667-4.736 12.265-.068 16.97l82.601 83.269c4.667 4.705 12.265 4.736 16.97.068l142.953-141.805c4.705-4.667 4.736-12.265.068-16.97z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><strong>Date<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_852e20-a3\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Sunday, July 13, 2025<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_c767bd-b1{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_c767bd-b1:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_c767bd-b1\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_6a15e9-4c\">\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_177093-44, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_177093-44[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_177093-44\"]{text-align:left;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_177093-44[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_177093-44\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;justify-content:left;align-items:start;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_177093-44[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_177093-44\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_177093-44[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_177093-44\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{padding-top:3px;padding-right:3px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_177093-44 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_177093-44[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_177093-44\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_177093-44 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_177093-44[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_177093-44\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style><p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_177093-44 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_177093-44\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-fas_flag-checkered kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M466.515 66.928C487.731 57.074 512 72.551 512 95.944v243.1c0 10.526-5.161 20.407-13.843 26.358-35.837 24.564-74.335 40.858-122.505 40.858-67.373 0-111.63-34.783-165.217-34.783-50.853 0-86.124 10.058-114.435 22.122V488c0 13.255-10.745 24-24 24H56c-13.255 0-24-10.745-24-24V101.945C17.497 91.825 8 75.026 8 56 8 24.296 34.345-1.254 66.338.048c28.468 1.158 51.779 23.968 53.551 52.404.52 8.342-.81 16.31-3.586 23.562C137.039 68.384 159.393 64 184.348 64c67.373 0 111.63 34.783 165.217 34.783 40.496 0 82.612-15.906 116.95-31.855zM96 134.63v70.49c29-10.67 51.18-17.83 73.6-20.91v-71.57c-23.5 2.17-40.44 9.79-73.6 21.99zm220.8 9.19c-26.417-4.672-49.886-13.979-73.6-21.34v67.42c24.175 6.706 47.566 16.444 73.6 22.31v-68.39zm-147.2 40.39v70.04c32.796-2.978 53.91-.635 73.6 3.8V189.9c-25.247-7.035-46.581-9.423-73.6-5.69zm73.6 142.23c26.338 4.652 49.732 13.927 73.6 21.34v-67.41c-24.277-6.746-47.54-16.45-73.6-22.32v68.39zM96 342.1c23.62-8.39 47.79-13.84 73.6-16.56v-71.29c-26.11 2.35-47.36 8.04-73.6 17.36v70.49zm368-221.6c-21.3 8.85-46.59 17.64-73.6 22.47v71.91c27.31-4.36 50.03-14.1 73.6-23.89V120.5zm0 209.96v-70.49c-22.19 14.2-48.78 22.61-73.6 26.02v71.58c25.07-2.38 48.49-11.04 73.6-27.11zM316.8 212.21v68.16c25.664 7.134 46.616 9.342 73.6 5.62v-71.11c-25.999 4.187-49.943 2.676-73.6-2.67z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><strong>Start\/Finish<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_413ea3-a8\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Chinon \u279d Ch\u00e2teauroux (<em>12:15 &#8211; 17:00 CET<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_5892ab-d6{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_5892ab-d6:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_5892ab-d6\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_5ebca2-56\">\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55\"]{text-align:left;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;justify-content:left;align-items:start;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{padding-top:3px;padding-right:3px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style><p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_2c3957-55\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-fas_route kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M416 320h-96c-17.6 0-32-14.4-32-32s14.4-32 32-32h96s96-107 96-160-43-96-96-96-96 43-96 96c0 25.5 22.2 63.4 45.3 96H320c-52.9 0-96 43.1-96 96s43.1 96 96 96h96c17.6 0 32 14.4 32 32s-14.4 32-32 32H185.5c-16 24.8-33.8 47.7-47.3 64H416c52.9 0 96-43.1 96-96s-43.1-96-96-96zm0-256c17.7 0 32 14.3 32 32s-14.3 32-32 32-32-14.3-32-32 14.3-32 32-32zM96 256c-53 0-96 43-96 96s96 160 96 160 96-107 96-160-43-96-96-96zm0 128c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32 32 14.3 32 32-14.3 32-32 32z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><strong>Distance<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_01593b-1a\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">174.1 km<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_288884-c0{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_288884-c0:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_288884-c0\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_88a314-44\">\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80\"]{text-align:left;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;justify-content:left;align-items:start;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{font-size:18px;padding-top:3px;padding-right:3px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style><p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_39f1d4-80\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-fas_road kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  role=\"img\"><title>Hills<\/title><path d=\"M573.19 402.67l-139.79-320C428.43 71.29 417.6 64 405.68 64h-97.59l2.45 23.16c.5 4.72-3.21 8.84-7.96 8.84h-29.16c-4.75 0-8.46-4.12-7.96-8.84L267.91 64h-97.59c-11.93 0-22.76 7.29-27.73 18.67L2.8 402.67C-6.45 423.86 8.31 448 30.54 448h196.84l10.31-97.68c.86-8.14 7.72-14.32 15.91-14.32h68.8c8.19 0 15.05 6.18 15.91 14.32L348.62 448h196.84c22.23 0 36.99-24.14 27.73-45.33zM260.4 135.16a8 8 0 0 1 7.96-7.16h39.29c4.09 0 7.53 3.09 7.96 7.16l4.6 43.58c.75 7.09-4.81 13.26-11.93 13.26h-40.54c-7.13 0-12.68-6.17-11.93-13.26l4.59-43.58zM315.64 304h-55.29c-9.5 0-16.91-8.23-15.91-17.68l5.07-48c.86-8.14 7.72-14.32 15.91-14.32h45.15c8.19 0 15.05 6.18 15.91 14.32l5.07 48c1 9.45-6.41 17.68-15.91 17.68z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><strong>Stage Type<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_b2a0eb-ee\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Flat<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_aa35ce-02{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_aa35ce-02:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_aa35ce-02\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_c4244e-3c\">\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_37677f-31, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_37677f-31[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_37677f-31\"]{text-align:left;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_37677f-31[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_37677f-31\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;justify-content:left;align-items:start;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_37677f-31[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_37677f-31\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_37677f-31[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_37677f-31\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{padding-top:3px;padding-right:3px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_37677f-31 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_37677f-31[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_37677f-31\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_37677f-31 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_37677f-31[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_37677f-31\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style><p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_37677f-31 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_37677f-31\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-ic_graph kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 8 8\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M7.03 0l-3.03 3-1-1-3 3.03 1 1 2-2.03 1 1 4-4-.97-1zm-7.03 7v1h8v-1h-8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><strong>Elevation Gain<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_c5059a-68\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Approx. 1,400 m<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_f4b38e-db{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_f4b38e-db:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_f4b38e-db\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_0999fb-2e\">\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_238062-5a, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_238062-5a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_238062-5a\"]{text-align:left;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_238062-5a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_238062-5a\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;justify-content:left;align-items:start;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_238062-5a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_238062-5a\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_238062-5a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_238062-5a\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{padding-top:3px;padding-right:3px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_238062-5a mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_238062-5a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_238062-5a\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_238062-5a img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_238062-5a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_238062-5a\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style><p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_238062-5a wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_238062-5a\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-fas_flag-checkered kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M466.515 66.928C487.731 57.074 512 72.551 512 95.944v243.1c0 10.526-5.161 20.407-13.843 26.358-35.837 24.564-74.335 40.858-122.505 40.858-67.373 0-111.63-34.783-165.217-34.783-50.853 0-86.124 10.058-114.435 22.122V488c0 13.255-10.745 24-24 24H56c-13.255 0-24-10.745-24-24V101.945C17.497 91.825 8 75.026 8 56 8 24.296 34.345-1.254 66.338.048c28.468 1.158 51.779 23.968 53.551 52.404.52 8.342-.81 16.31-3.586 23.562C137.039 68.384 159.393 64 184.348 64c67.373 0 111.63 34.783 165.217 34.783 40.496 0 82.612-15.906 116.95-31.855zM96 134.63v70.49c29-10.67 51.18-17.83 73.6-20.91v-71.57c-23.5 2.17-40.44 9.79-73.6 21.99zm220.8 9.19c-26.417-4.672-49.886-13.979-73.6-21.34v67.42c24.175 6.706 47.566 16.444 73.6 22.31v-68.39zm-147.2 40.39v70.04c32.796-2.978 53.91-.635 73.6 3.8V189.9c-25.247-7.035-46.581-9.423-73.6-5.69zm73.6 142.23c26.338 4.652 49.732 13.927 73.6 21.34v-67.41c-24.277-6.746-47.54-16.45-73.6-22.32v68.39zM96 342.1c23.62-8.39 47.79-13.84 73.6-16.56v-71.29c-26.11 2.35-47.36 8.04-73.6 17.36v70.49zm368-221.6c-21.3 8.85-46.59 17.64-73.6 22.47v71.91c27.31-4.36 50.03-14.1 73.6-23.89V120.5zm0 209.96v-70.49c-22.19 14.2-48.78 22.61-73.6 26.02v71.58c25.07-2.38 48.49-11.04 73.6-27.11zM316.8 212.21v68.16c25.664 7.134 46.616 9.342 73.6 5.62v-71.11c-25.999 4.187-49.943 2.676-73.6-2.67z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><strong><strong>Expected Finish<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_cd49dc-2d\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Mass Sprint in Ch\u00e2teauroux<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_cefd10-04{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_cefd10-04:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_cefd10-04\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_ade8db-8f\">\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed\"]{text-align:left;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;justify-content:left;align-items:start;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{padding-top:3px;padding-right:3px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style><p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d51c2d-ed\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-fas_sun kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M274.835 12.646l25.516 62.393c4.213 10.301 16.671 14.349 26.134 8.492l57.316-35.479c15.49-9.588 34.808 4.447 30.475 22.142l-16.03 65.475c-2.647 10.81 5.053 21.408 16.152 22.231l67.224 4.987c18.167 1.348 25.546 24.057 11.641 35.826L441.81 242.26c-8.495 7.19-8.495 20.289 0 27.479l51.454 43.548c13.906 11.769 6.527 34.478-11.641 35.826l-67.224 4.987c-11.099.823-18.799 11.421-16.152 22.231l16.03 65.475c4.332 17.695-14.986 31.73-30.475 22.142l-57.316-35.479c-9.463-5.858-21.922-1.81-26.134 8.492l-25.516 62.393c-6.896 16.862-30.774 16.862-37.67 0l-25.516-62.393c-4.213-10.301-16.671-14.349-26.134-8.492l-57.317 35.479c-15.49 9.588-34.808-4.447-30.475-22.142l16.03-65.475c2.647-10.81-5.053-21.408-16.152-22.231l-67.224-4.987c-18.167-1.348-25.546-24.057-11.641-35.826L70.19 269.74c8.495-7.19 8.495-20.289 0-27.479l-51.454-43.548c-13.906-11.769-6.527-34.478 11.641-35.826l67.224-4.987c11.099-.823 18.799-11.421 16.152-22.231l-16.03-65.475c-4.332-17.695 14.986-31.73 30.475-22.142l57.317 35.479c9.463 5.858 21.921 1.81 26.134-8.492l25.516-62.393c6.896-16.861 30.774-16.861 37.67 0zM392 256c0-74.991-61.01-136-136-136-74.991 0-136 61.009-136 136s61.009 136 136 136c74.99 0 136-61.009 136-136zm-32 0c0 57.346-46.654 104-104 104s-104-46.654-104-104 46.654-104 104-104 104 46.654 104 104z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><strong>Weather Watch<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_bebf97-c2\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Sunny, crosswind possible<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id1277_87befc-8c > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1277_87befc-8c > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_87befc-8c > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_87befc-8c > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_87befc-8c > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_87befc-8c > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1277_87befc-8c aligncenter wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-row kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:center;}.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_bc40b0-1b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1DdWW-zIGJOEAbwiRg9gRX1hm51hzLJo&#038;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column1277_a63392-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_a63392-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_a63392-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_a63392-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_a63392-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_a63392-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_a63392-85{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_a63392-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_a63392-85 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_a63392-85\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image1277_6e3d1b-2b .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1277_6e3d1b-2b\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"728\" height=\"403\" src=\"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/stage-9-route-2025.webp\" alt=\"stage-9-route-2025\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-3334\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/stage-9-route-2025.webp 728w, https:\/\/franceletour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/stage-9-route-2025-300x166.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chinon to Ch\u00e2teauroux<\/strong> \u2014 a journey through vineyard country, ch\u00e2teaux-dotted hamlets, and history-steeped villages, ending in one of the Tour\u2019s most fabled sprint finales. The 174.1-kilometre route is devoid of categorised climbs but peppered with minor undulations and exposed stretches where wind could provoke echelons if the conditions align.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here\u2019s how it unfolds, kilometre by kilometre:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccd <strong>D\u00e9part fictif \u2014 Chinon (km 0)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The peloton rolls out from the medieval town of <strong>Chinon<\/strong>, a place of Loire Valley legend \u2014 known for its imposing ch\u00e2teau, cave-carved wine cellars, and a past woven into the fabric of English and French monarchy. From here, the race heads south-east, over the river <strong>Vienne<\/strong>, towards the official start line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccd <strong>D\u00e9part r\u00e9el \u2014 D749, near Rivi\u00e8re (km 0)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The flag drops on the <strong>D749<\/strong>, and the racing begins in earnest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccd <strong>Early Phase: Le Coudray \u2192 Champigny-sur-Veude \u2192 Richelieu (km 0-25)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flat, fast, and immediately into open countryside. The peloton will sweep through <strong>Champigny-sur-Veude<\/strong>, skimming the grounds of a Renaissance ch\u00e2teau, and onward to <strong>Richelieu<\/strong>, the \u2018ideal city\u2019 meticulously planned by Cardinal Richelieu in the 17th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>\ud83c\udfc1 Intermediate Sprint: La Belle Indienne (km 24.2)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A tiny hamlet named after an old fabric merchant, <strong>La Belle Indienne<\/strong> hosts the day\u2019s intermediate sprint. Points for the green jersey are up for grabs \u2014 expect early breakaways or opportunistic sprinters to show here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccd <strong>Midsection: Orches \u2192 Ch\u00e2tellerault (km 25-90)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race continues through gently rolling farmland and across the <strong>Vienne d\u00e9partement<\/strong>, passing through <strong>Ch\u00e2tellerault<\/strong>, a town once famed for sword-making and later for its state-run arms factory. It\u2019s a passage of history as well as racing \u2014 the roads here have seen centuries of trade and warfare, now traded for the tactical warfare of the Tour peloton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccd <strong>Eastern Push: Coussay-les-Bois \u2192 La Roche-Posay \u2192 Azay-le-Ferron (km 90-130)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Skirting past the spa town of <strong>La Roche-Posay<\/strong> and through <strong>Azay-le-Ferron<\/strong>, the peloton enters the wild wetlands of the <strong>Parc Naturel R\u00e9gional de la Brenne<\/strong>. It\u2019s here, on exposed roads bordered by forest and marsh, that any crosswinds could tear the race apart if a motivated team seizes the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccd <strong>Final Approach: M\u00e9zi\u00e8res-en-Brenne \u2192 Buzan\u00e7ais \u2192 Villedieu-sur-Indre (km 130-165)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through quiet villages and over small rivers, the race follows fast, straight roads to <strong>Buzan\u00e7ais<\/strong> and <strong>Villedieu-sur-Indre<\/strong>. The sprinters\u2019 teams will be finessing their lead-outs by now, ensuring their fast men stay protected and in prime position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccd <strong>The Run-in: Ch\u00e2teauroux (km 165-174.1)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Approaching <strong>Ch\u00e2teauroux<\/strong> via the <strong>D956 Avenue de Blois<\/strong>, the peloton crosses the <strong>river Indre<\/strong> by <strong>Ch\u00e2teau Raoul<\/strong>, then threads through a brief series of urban turns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Left onto <strong>Boulevard de Cluis<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Right onto <strong>Avenue de la Ch\u00e2tre<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Avenue de la Ch\u00e2tre<\/strong> \u2014 now unofficially <strong>\u2018Cavendish Avenue\u2019<\/strong> \u2014 delivers a dead-straight, 1.5-kilometre drag to the finish outside <strong>Stade Gaston-Petit<\/strong>. It\u2019s wide, flat, and built for speed. Two sharp corners at <strong>2km to go<\/strong> make positioning critical; from there, it\u2019s full gas to glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id1277_595292-73 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1277_595292-73 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_595292-73 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_595292-73 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_595292-73 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_595292-73 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1277_595292-73 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1277_d8e58a-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_d8e58a-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_d8e58a-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_d8e58a-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_d8e58a-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_d8e58a-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_d8e58a-d7{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_d8e58a-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_d8e58a-d7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_d8e58a-d7\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image1277_274989-7e .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1277_274989-7e\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tdf-2025-stage-9-profile.jpg\" alt=\"tdf-2025-stage-9-profile\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-3341\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tdf-2025-stage-9-profile.jpg 960w, https:\/\/franceletour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tdf-2025-stage-9-profile-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/franceletour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tdf-2025-stage-9-profile-768x462.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83d\udcca Green Jersey Points:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Intermediate Sprint:<\/strong> 20 pts for 1st down to 1 pt for 15th<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stage Finish:<\/strong> 50 pts for 1st down to 2 pts for 15th<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u23f1\ufe0f Time Bonuses:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>10s<\/strong> for 1st place<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>6s<\/strong> for 2nd<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>4s<\/strong> for 3rd<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1277_ce940e-8c{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_ce940e-8c > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1277_ce940e-8c > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_ce940e-8c > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_ce940e-8c > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_ce940e-8c > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_ce940e-8c > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1277_ce940e-8c alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54{position:relative;}.kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_5b12ce-54\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_f50a12-96\">\ud83d\udccc <strong>Fast roads, big boulevards, no surprise climbs. A sprinters\u2019 Super Bowl.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_2d9a13-11 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_2d9a13-11 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1277_2d9a13-11\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Sectors &amp; Potential Race Scenarios \u2014 Stage 9, Tour de France 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though the profile is flat and stage 9 seems destined for a bunch sprint, this is a Tour de France stage \u2014 and no Tour stage is ever <em>simple<\/em>. Here&#8217;s where the race could twist, turn, or splinter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc <strong>Key Sectors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udfe2 <strong>La Belle Indienne \u2014 Intermediate Sprint (km 24.2)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first tactical flashpoint.<br>Expect breakaway hopefuls or opportunistic sprinters gunning for green jersey points. If the peloton allows a small group off the front early, this is where they&#8217;ll stake their claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tactical Interest:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Early break formation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Points battle for sprinters outside the top tier<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Possible sprint train dry run for final kilometres<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf2c\ufe0f <strong>Parc Naturel R\u00e9gional de la Brenne \u2014 Exposed Roads (km 95-130)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A deceptively significant stretch.<br>Though flat, these open, marshland roads leave the race vulnerable to crosswinds. If a team like Alpecin-Deceuninck, Lidl-Trek, or Ineos Grenadiers senses opportunity, this is where echelons could form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tactical Interest:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Potential echelon action if the wind blows<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Key GC teams must stay alert<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sprinter teams\u2019 domestiques critical to keep their men in front group<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Wind forecast check mandatory on race morning.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udfc1 <strong>Final 3 Kilometres \u2014 Urban Corners &amp; the Drag Strip (km 171.1-174.1)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The last 3km are deceptively tricky for a flat stage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>At 2km to go:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A left turn onto <strong>Boulevard de Cluis<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Immediately followed by a sharp right onto <strong>Avenue de la Ch\u00e2tre<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>From 1.5km out:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dead-straight finishing drag<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wide, smooth tarmac built for top-speed lead-out trains<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Positioning before those two corners is everything<\/strong>. A poorly timed move or a slip in the final bends can see even a top sprinter boxed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tactical Interest:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sprint teams jostle hard from 5km out<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High-speed lead-out battle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Risk of crashes or splits if tension spikes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column1277_454c24-d8 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_454c24-d8 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_454c24-d8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_454c24-d8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_454c24-d8 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_454c24-d8 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_454c24-d8{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_454c24-d8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_454c24-d8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_454c24-d8\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image1277_61ca24-7b .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1277_61ca24-7b\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"699\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tdf-2025-stage-9-profile-finale.jpg\" alt=\"tdf-2025-stage-9-profile-finale\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-3342\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tdf-2025-stage-9-profile-finale.jpg 699w, https:\/\/franceletour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tdf-2025-stage-9-profile-finale-262x300.jpg 262w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 699px) 100vw, 699px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">\ud83d\udcca <strong>Potential Race Scenarios<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc <strong>Scenario A \u2014 Classic Bunch Sprint (85% likelihood)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flat profile, no categorised climbs, and a dragstrip finish. Everything points to a mass sprint showdown. Expect Alpecin-Deceuninck (for Merlier), Lidl-Trek (for Milan), and Bora-hansgrohe (for Meeus) to control the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Favourites:<\/strong> Merlier, Milan, Philipsen, Groves<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wildcards:<\/strong> Girmay, De Lie<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc <strong>Scenario B \u2014 Echelons in the Brenne (10% likelihood)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If crosswinds hit in the open marshland sections around <strong>M\u00e9zi\u00e8res-en-Brenne<\/strong> and <strong>Paulnay<\/strong>, a savvy GC team or sprinter\u2019s squad might split the race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Impact:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>GC contenders could lose time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pure sprinters caught out of position<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Only the sharp and well-positioned survive in the front echelon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Stage finish still likely from reduced sprint group.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udccc <strong>Scenario C \u2014 Late Breakaway Surprise (5% likelihood)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A brave late flyer in the final 5km could exploit hesitation in sprint trains. Unlikely on a stage this flat, but a rider like Mathieu van der Poel or S\u00f8ren Kragh Andersen could tempt fate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Impact:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Successful only if the sprint teams miscalculate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Usually reeled in under the flamme rouge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conclusion:<\/strong><br>It\u2019s written for the sprinters, with a critical final 2km and the lurking threat of echelons mid-stage. Expect a fierce fight for position into <strong>Avenue de la Ch\u00e2tre<\/strong>, where a new name (or a familiar one) will add themselves to Ch\u00e2teauroux\u2019s roll of honour.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_e8a754-f5 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_e8a754-f5 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1277_e8a754-f5\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce\"]{font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_a986ed-ce\">Detailed Route Table:<\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1277_4d3b7c-f9{margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_4d3b7c-f9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1277_4d3b7c-f9 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_4d3b7c-f9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:950px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_4d3b7c-f9 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_4d3b7c-f9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_4d3b7c-f9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1277_4d3b7c-f9 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1277_8fe698-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_8fe698-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_8fe698-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_8fe698-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_8fe698-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_8fe698-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_8fe698-6a{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_8fe698-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_8fe698-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_8fe698-6a\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-table-container1277_bf1747-fb{font-size:15px;overflow-x:auto;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_bf1747-fb th{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_bf1747-fb caption{text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_bf1747-fb td{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_bf1747-fb tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_bf1747-fb tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_bf1747-fb tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-table-container kb-table-container1277_bf1747-fb wp-block-kadence-table\"><table class=\"kb-table kb-table1277_bf1747-fb\">\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_87c5c4-85{height:55px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_87c5c4-85\">\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_fbce5c-e0\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Sector<\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_d1fa74-2d\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Terrain Type<\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_e4bae6-99\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Road Width\/Surface<\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_a3563d-f9\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Features \/ Hazards<\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_bd1bd9-83\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Tactical Importance<\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_fcc1ca-8f{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_fcc1ca-8f:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_fcc1ca-8f\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_e57fba-2c\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>0\u20135<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_0573fa-66\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Urban cobbles &amp; narrow lanes<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_dbb8ea-53\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Narrow, cobbled at start<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_e2d1cf-7d\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Tight corners out of Chinon<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_9a259f-06\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Early position battle<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_9bfffc-6c{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_9bfffc-6c:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_9bfffc-6c\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_cef662-eb\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5\u201325<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_4bb482-8e\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Open farmland<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_fd8d60-0d\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Narrow rural D-roads<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_c98fd3-e5\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Roundabouts, hedgerows, early crosswind risk<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_7fa0ae-ef\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Control for break attempts<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_a63265-fe{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_a63265-fe:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_a63265-fe\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_1960a9-9f\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>25\u201380<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_578871-09\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Rolling plains<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_afb3d5-a8\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Wide asphalt<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_bd7e22-71\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Traffic islands, village entries at Descartes<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_497a93-8a\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Hold steady, conserve energy<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_f1c5c7-06{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_f1c5c7-06:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_f1c5c7-06\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_c41127-82\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>80\u201382<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_94dd70-0d\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Sprint lead-in<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_5eedeb-1f\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Wide, fast<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_8a33bf-d7\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Clean tarmac, gentle downhill<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_e2396b-fd\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Green jersey points fight<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_7bf3fc-be{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_7bf3fc-be:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_7bf3fc-be\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_7424bb-a6\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>82\u201385<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_a13cc5-8e\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Sprint lead-in<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_e06de9-b8\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Wide, exposed<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_05fae3-cf\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Crosswind potential<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_722237-2d\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Echelons if windy<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_99ad6b-98{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_99ad6b-98:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_99ad6b-98\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_ab28da-9e\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>85\u2013130<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_6fcafb-29\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Long straights, shallow rises<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_6d8f57-01\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Good road, open fields<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_78dea2-3d\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Gentle rollers, side-road joins<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_62d546-5c\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Break control &amp; peloton tempo<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_15d3fc-ec{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_15d3fc-ec:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_15d3fc-ec\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_dff9d1-6f\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>130\u2013150<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_047dd4-18\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Rolling farmland<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_c3cf11-38\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Improved asphalt<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_9634b7-d0\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Curving rural roads<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_ff76f2-5f\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Leadout trains begin forming<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_4031a8-b0{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_4031a8-b0:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_4031a8-b0\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_59e680-82\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>150\u2013165<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_bf1003-63\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Town outskirts, main roads<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_12ed40-e8\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Wide, 3\u20134 lane roads<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_14bb77-0b\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Traffic circles at 160-162km<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_2ba78c-80\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Fight for positioning<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_2625a1-71{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1277_2625a1-71:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_2625a1-71\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_4528d5-7a\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>165\u2013170<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_12aae9-68\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Town center, finish straight<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_551568-c6\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Very wide, flat final km<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_379eee-87\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Long straight, no traps, slight uphill last 200m<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_ad83fc-31\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Sprint launch zone<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_9c6958-86 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_9c6958-86 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1277_9c6958-86\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Favourites for the Win \u2014 Stage 9, Tour de France 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The script screams <em>bunch sprint<\/em>, and the cast is packed with top-drawer fast men. With no climbs and a textbook dragstrip finale, the favourites list is headlined by the Tour\u2019s most powerful finishers. Here\u2019s how we see the sprint hierarchy ahead of Stage 9:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50 <strong>Three-Star Favourites<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83e\udd47 <strong>Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The form sprinter so far \u2014 sharp, ruthless, and with a reliable lead-out. Already victorious on Stage 5, Merlier\u2019s high-speed top end and positioning prowess make him the top pick for Ch\u00e2teauroux\u2019s flat finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83e\udd48 <strong>Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Italy\u2019s powerhouse. Took second to Merlier in the Tour\u2019s first bunch sprint, with an imposing, long-range kick. The wide, straight run-in here suits Milan\u2019s raw wattage perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2b50\u2b50 <strong>Two-Star Favourites<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consistent top 5 finishes this Tour and always in the mix. If Philipsen isn\u2019t at his sharpest, Groves could be the one Alpecin back for glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco-AlUla)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Experienced, tough in the scrappy finishes. While his lead-out hasn\u2019t looked flawless so far, Groenewegen thrives in straight, dragstrip finales like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold (Uno-X Mobility)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The under-the-radar Norwegian sprinter has the raw power and a tight-knit lead-out. A wide-open finish like this might be his shot to sneak onto the podium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Jordi Meeus (Bora-hansgrohe)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Strong, consistent sprinter with a fast final 100 metres. If the big names hesitate, Meeus has the savvy and sprint to snatch a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2b50 <strong>One-Star Outsiders<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Biniam Girmay (Intermarch\u00e9-Wanty)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Riding high on morale after a historic stage win earlier in the race. A dragstrip finish isn\u2019t his ideal, but the Eritrean can thrive in chaotic finales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rising Belgian star with top-10 consistency. Still waiting for his Tour breakthrough, but capable of upsetting the hierarchy if positioned well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Paul Penho\u00ebt (Groupama-FDJ)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Young French sprinter growing stronger each sprint stage. An outside shot for a top-5 if things get messy late.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_b0ebc1-34 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_b0ebc1-34 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1277_b0ebc1-34\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Food &amp; Drink Pairing \u2014 Stage 9, Tour de France 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the peloton winds through the sun-drenched roads of the Loire Valley \u2014 past vineyards, riverside towns, and medieval ch\u00e2teaux \u2014 there\u2019s no better excuse to indulge in some regional gastronomy to match the scenery. This stage\u2019s culinary pairing is as refined and mellow as the terrain itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf77 <strong>Loire Valley White Wine: Quincy AOC<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the Loire\u2019s lesser-known but utterly charming appellations, <strong>Quincy<\/strong> produces crisp, citrusy Sauvignon Blancs with notes of lemon zest, white flowers, and flinty minerality. Perfectly chilled, it\u2019s the ideal glass to savour as the race glides past rivers and Renaissance turrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udc1f <strong>Freshwater Fish with Beurre Blanc<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Loire Valley classic: delicate pike or perch from the river, gently poached and topped with a silky <strong>beurre blanc sauce<\/strong> \u2014 a reduction of shallots, white wine, and butter. Rich yet balanced, it mirrors the stage\u2019s effortless, flowing profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83e\uddc0 <strong>Local Goat\u2019s Cheese: Selles-sur-Cher &amp; Sainte-Maure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Loire\u2019s legendary goat cheeses are creamy, tangy, and often cloaked in a fine dusting of edible ash. Enjoy them on a baguette or with a drizzle of local honey for a rustic, authentic bite as the race nears Ch\u00e2teauroux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f <strong>The Vibe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A mellow, refined gastronomic experience for a stage rolling through France\u2019s storybook heartland. Pair the laid-back, picturesque landscape with bright wines, fresh river fish, and soft, tangy cheeses \u2014 the very essence of Tour de France terroir.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_a97230-20 .kt-block-spacer{height:31px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_a97230-20 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1277_a97230-20\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Timing, Key Milestones &amp; Expected Finish Window \u2014 Stage 9, Tour de France 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A flat, fast day through central France, with timings designed for a high-speed finale and sprinters\u2019 showdown in Ch\u00e2teauroux. Here\u2019s how the day breaks down:<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_b801a2-09, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_b801a2-09[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_b801a2-09\"]{text-align:center;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_b801a2-09 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_b801a2-09[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_b801a2-09\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_b801a2-09 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_b801a2-09[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_b801a2-09\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_b801a2-09 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_b801a2-09\">\u23f0 <strong>Timings (Local CEST)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id1277_175274-ed > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1277_175274-ed > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_175274-ed > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:900px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_175274-ed > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_175274-ed > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_175274-ed > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1277_175274-ed alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1277_f3a35c-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_f3a35c-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_f3a35c-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_f3a35c-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_f3a35c-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_f3a35c-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_f3a35c-1f{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_f3a35c-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_f3a35c-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_f3a35c-1f\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-table-container1277_9ad867-0c{font-size:15px;overflow-x:auto;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_9ad867-0c th{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:left;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_9ad867-0c caption{text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_9ad867-0c td{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);text-align:left;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_9ad867-0c tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_9ad867-0c tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-container .kb-table1277_9ad867-0c tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-table-container kb-table-container1277_9ad867-0c wp-block-kadence-table\"><table class=\"kb-table kb-table1277_9ad867-0c\">\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_971d2e-52\">\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_6769ea-01\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Event<\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_b3c1e3-84\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fastest Scenario<\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_92b30d-dd\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Slowest Scenario<\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_0dbd9c-84\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_c71387-23\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Caravan Start (D\u00e9part Fictif)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_c93d4c-20\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">11:10<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_7f61c6-f3\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">13:10<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_aed3c0-37\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_4baf7b-3f\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Race Start (D\u00e9part R\u00e9el)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_3ed092-18\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">11:25<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_0ab226-42\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">13:25<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_684630-b8\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_4dec3f-36\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Intermediate Sprint \u2014 La Belle Indienne (km 24.2)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_46704b-29\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">11:59<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_33d520-c7\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">13:59<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1277_bdc44f-46\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_bde47a-b6\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Finish \u2014 Ch\u00e2teauroux (km 174.1)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_5d348c-f3\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>15:28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1277_6f8165-ae\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>17:28<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);text-align:center;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26\"]{font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_a8ad6a-26\">Centre-Val de Loire\u2019s Love Affair with the Tour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Centre-Val de Loire region isn\u2019t just about castles, vineyards, and Joan of Arc\u2019s footsteps \u2014 it\u2019s a proper cycling heartland. Here\u2019s why Stage 9\u2019s route is low-key iconic:Favourites for the Win \u2014 Stage 9, Tour de France 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The script screams <em>bunch sprint<\/em>, and the cast is packed with top-drawer fast men. With no climbs and a textbook dragstrip finale, the favourites list is headlined by the Tour\u2019s most powerful finishers. Here\u2019s how we see the sprint hierarchy ahead of Stage 9:<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_cea6c8-57, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_cea6c8-57[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_cea6c8-57\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_cea6c8-57 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_cea6c8-57[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_cea6c8-57\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_cea6c8-57 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_cea6c8-57[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_cea6c8-57\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_cea6c8-57 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_cea6c8-57\">Chinon\u2019s Tour Connection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First featured in the <strong>1906 Tour de France<\/strong>, the town\u2019s cobbled streets and riverside lanes have always served up drama.<br><br>Last hosted a stage start in <strong>1995<\/strong> \u2014 a windswept day that saw breakaway carnage on these same rolling plains.<br><br>Chinon\u2019s medieval fortress and narrow riverfront roads make it one of the prettiest start towns on this year\u2019s Tour.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1277_d93232-85{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_d93232-85 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1277_d93232-85 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_d93232-85 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_d93232-85 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_d93232-85 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_d93232-85 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1277_d93232-85 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1277_fd807f-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column1277_fd807f-db > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_fd807f-db > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_fd807f-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_fd807f-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_fd807f-db > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_fd807f-db > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_fd807f-db{position:relative;}.kadence-column1277_fd807f-db, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1277_fd807f-db:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_fd807f-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_fd807f-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_fd807f-db\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ea6192-59\">Eddy Merckx once called the ride along the Vienne River <em>\u201cone of the most beautiful stretches in France to race on a bike.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_e31d50-fd .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_e31d50-fd .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1277_e31d50-fd\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0\"]{font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ad8927-d0\">Ch\u00e2teauroux\u2019s Sprinting Legacy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">Became a <strong>Tour stage finish hub<\/strong> in modern Tour history:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>1998<\/strong>: Tom Steels won a hectic bunch sprint.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>2008<\/strong>: Mark Cavendish claimed one of his first Tour victories here.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2021<\/strong>: Cavendish returned to win again, 13 years after his first \u2014 pure Tour poetry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Known for wide boulevards and a dead-flat run-in. A pure sprinter\u2019s paradise, it\u2019s the kind of finish town that practically guarantees a bunch gallop.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1277_91a0e4-64{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_91a0e4-64 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1277_91a0e4-64 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_91a0e4-64 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_91a0e4-64 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_91a0e4-64 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_91a0e4-64 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1277_91a0e4-64 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b{position:relative;}.kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_ade76c-9b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_16b46d-79\">Ch\u00e2teauroux was the first town in France to host a <strong>\u201c100% green spectator zone\u201d<\/strong> during the 2021 Tour \u2014 zero single-use plastics allowed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_09fc0b-59 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_09fc0b-59 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1277_09fc0b-59\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_235901-a7, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_235901-a7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_235901-a7\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_235901-a7 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_235901-a7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_235901-a7\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_235901-a7 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_235901-a7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_235901-a7\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_235901-a7, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_235901-a7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_235901-a7\"]{font-size:22px;}}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_235901-a7 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_235901-a7\">Centre-Val de Loire\u2019s Tour Role<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Historically, this region was a <strong>crucial connector<\/strong> in the early Tours, linking the Atlantic and the Alps.<br><br>Famous for <strong>crosswind ambushes<\/strong>, especially along the wide agricultural flats.<br><br>Hosted Tour legends: <strong>Anquetil, Hinault, and Jalabert<\/strong> all made decisive moves on these roads.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1277_8d5bf0-fa{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_8d5bf0-fa > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1277_8d5bf0-fa > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_8d5bf0-fa > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_8d5bf0-fa > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_8d5bf0-fa > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_8d5bf0-fa > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1277_8d5bf0-fa alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f{position:relative;}.kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_c83b83-6f\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_d163d6-72\"><strong>Trivia Nugget:<\/strong><br>The 1966 Tour\u2019s infamous \u201cmutiny stage,\u201d where riders protested against doping controls, rolled through this region.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_0f573f-58 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_0f573f-58 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1277_0f573f-58\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id1277_62797d-f0 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1277_62797d-f0 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_62797d-f0 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:400px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_62797d-f0 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_62797d-f0 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_62797d-f0 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1277_62797d-f0 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1277_bcd881-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_bcd881-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_bcd881-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_bcd881-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_bcd881-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_bcd881-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_bcd881-1a{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_bcd881-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_bcd881-1a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_bcd881-1a\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-left:0px;text-align:center;font-style:normal;border-bottom:8px solid #ffff00;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8\"]{border-bottom:8px solid #ffff00;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8\"]{border-bottom:8px solid #ffff00;}}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_22c8c6-e8\">FAQs: Stage 9 Essentials<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_c0979b-8e .kt-block-spacer{height:29px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_c0979b-8e .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1277_c0979b-8e\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id1277_67a53c-d9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1277_67a53c-d9 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1277_67a53c-d9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:850px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1277_67a53c-d9 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_67a53c-d9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1277_67a53c-d9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1277_67a53c-d9 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1277_ede928-a1 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1277_ede928-a1 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1277_ede928-a1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1277_ede928-a1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1277_ede928-a1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1277_ede928-a1 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1277_ede928-a1{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1277_ede928-a1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1277_ede928-a1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1277_ede928-a1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 .kt-accordion-inner-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:20px;display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 .kt-accordion-panel-inner{border-top:0px solid transparent;border-right:0px solid transparent;border-bottom:0px solid transparent;border-left:0px solid transparent;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header{border-top:0px solid #ffff00;border-right:0px solid #ffff00;border-bottom:0px solid #ffff00;border-left:5px solid #ffff00;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;color:var(--global-palette6, #718096);padding-top:10px;padding-right:14px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:14px;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle )  > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle )  > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before{background:var(--global-palette6, #718096);}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger{background:var(--global-palette6, #718096);}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover, \n\t\t\t\tbody:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible{color:#000000;background:#eeeeee;border-top-color:#eeeeee;border-top-style:solid;border-right-color:#eeeeee;border-right-style:solid;border-bottom:5px solid #ffff00;border-left:5px solid #ffff00;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before, body:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle ) .kt-blocks-accordion--visible .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, body:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle ) .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before{background:#000000;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger, body:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger{background:#000000;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before, body:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, body:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before{background:#eeeeee;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible,\n\t\t\t\t.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active{color:#ffff00;background:#000000;border-left:5px solid #ffff00;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle )  > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basiccircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclosecircle ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrowcircle )  > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before{background:#ffff00;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger{background:#ffff00;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:after, .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07:not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-basic ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-xclose ):not( .kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow ) .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active .kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger:before{background:#000000;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 .kt-accordion-panel-inner{border-top:0px solid transparent;border-right:0px solid transparent;border-bottom:0px solid transparent;border-left:0px solid transparent;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header{border-top:0px solid #ffff00;border-right:0px solid #ffff00;border-bottom:0px solid #ffff00;border-left:5px solid #ffff00;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover, \n\t\t\t\tbody:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible{border-top-color:#eeeeee;border-top-style:solid;border-right-color:#eeeeee;border-right-style:solid;border-bottom:5px solid #ffff00;border-left:5px solid #ffff00;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible,\n\t\t\t\t.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active{border-left:5px solid #ffff00;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 .kt-accordion-inner-wrap{display:block;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 .kt-accordion-inner-wrap .kt-accordion-pane:not(:first-child){margin-top:20px;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 .kt-accordion-panel-inner{border-top:0px solid transparent;border-right:0px solid transparent;border-bottom:0px solid transparent;border-left:0px solid transparent;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header{border-top:0px solid #ffff00;border-right:0px solid #ffff00;border-bottom:0px solid #ffff00;border-left:5px solid #ffff00;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header:hover, \n\t\t\t\tbody:not(.hide-focus-outline) .kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible{border-top-color:#eeeeee;border-top-style:solid;border-right-color:#eeeeee;border-right-style:solid;border-bottom:5px solid #ffff00;border-left:5px solid #ffff00;}.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 .kt-accordion-header-wrap .kt-blocks-accordion-header:focus-visible,\n\t\t\t\t.kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 > .kt-accordion-inner-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-pane > .kt-accordion-header-wrap > .kt-blocks-accordion-header.kt-accordion-panel-active{border-left:5px solid #ffff00;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-accordion alignnone\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-wrap kt-accordion-id1277_7408d7-07 kt-accordion-has-4-panes kt-active-pane-0 kt-accordion-block kt-pane-header-alignment-left kt-accodion-icon-style-arrow kt-accodion-icon-side-right\" style=\"max-width:none\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-inner-wrap\" data-allow-multiple-open=\"false\" data-start-open=\"0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-pane kt-accordion-pane kt-accordion-pane-1 kt-pane1277_a52ddd-c2\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-header-wrap\"><button class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-header kt-acccordion-button-label-show\" type=\"button\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title-wrap\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title\"><strong>Where does Stage 9 start and finish?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel kt-accordion-panel-hidden\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel-inner\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f0453b-9b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f0453b-9b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_f0453b-9b\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f0453b-9b mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f0453b-9b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_f0453b-9b\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f0453b-9b img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_f0453b-9b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_f0453b-9b\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_f0453b-9b wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_f0453b-9b\">Starts in <strong>Chinon<\/strong>, a historic Loire Valley town famous for its ch\u00e2teau, wines, and medieval heritage.<br>Finishes in <strong>Ch\u00e2teauroux<\/strong>, a town synonymous with Mark Cavendish\u2019s Tour victories.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-pane kt-accordion-pane kt-accordion-pane-2 kt-pane1277_a69f51-e3\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-header-wrap\"><button class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-header kt-acccordion-button-label-show\" type=\"button\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title-wrap\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title\"><strong>How difficult is the stage 9?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel kt-accordion-panel-hidden\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel-inner\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_3f60b9-2b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_3f60b9-2b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_3f60b9-2b\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_3f60b9-2b mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_3f60b9-2b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_3f60b9-2b\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_3f60b9-2b img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_3f60b9-2b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_3f60b9-2b\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_3f60b9-2b wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_3f60b9-2b\"><strong>Very flat.<\/strong> No categorised climbs, minimal elevation changes (1,400m total). A pure sprinter\u2019s stage.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-pane kt-accordion-pane kt-accordion-pane-3 kt-pane1277_14690b-c4\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-header-wrap\"><button class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-header kt-acccordion-button-label-show\" type=\"button\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title-wrap\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title\"><strong>Will stage 9 affect the GC?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel kt-accordion-panel-hidden\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel-inner\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ebdc11-10, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ebdc11-10[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ebdc11-10\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ebdc11-10 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ebdc11-10[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ebdc11-10\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ebdc11-10 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_ebdc11-10[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ebdc11-10\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_ebdc11-10 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_ebdc11-10\"><strong>Unlikely.<\/strong> No climbing or technical terrain \u2014 expect GC riders to stay safe, hidden in the peloton, and let the sprinters battle for glory.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-pane kt-accordion-pane kt-accordion-pane-4 kt-pane1277_969b5d-e7\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-header-wrap\"><button class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-header kt-acccordion-button-label-show\" type=\"button\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title-wrap\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-title\"><strong>Who are the stage favourites?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span class=\"kt-blocks-accordion-icon-trigger\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel kt-accordion-panel-hidden\"><div class=\"kt-accordion-panel-inner\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_099722-56, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_099722-56[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_099722-56\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_099722-56 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_099722-56[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_099722-56\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_099722-56 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1277_099722-56[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_099722-56\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1277_099722-56 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1277_099722-56\"><strong>Three-star:<\/strong> Tim Merlier, Jonathan Milan<br><strong>Two-star:<\/strong> Kaden Groves, Dylan Groenewegen, S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold, Jordi Meeus<br><strong>One-star:<\/strong> Jasper Philipsen, Biniam Girmay, Arnaud De Lie, Pascal Ackermann, Paul Penho\u00ebt<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_938a14-c5 .kt-block-spacer{height:38px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1277_938a14-c5 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-1277_938a14-c5\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stage 9 of the tour is everything a Tour flat stage should be \u2014 long, open, fast, and nervy. On paper, this one\u2019s a day for the sprinters\u2019 teams to control from flag to finish, reeling in the token breakaway just in time for a textbook boulevard sprint.<br><br>Stay up front, stay alert, and don\u2019t get lazy. Flat doesn\u2019t mean easy. At the Tour, no day is free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714\ufe0f <em>Sprinters\u2019 day on paper.<\/em><br>\u2714\ufe0f <em>Possible crosswind carnage if conditions flip.<\/em><br>\u2714\ufe0f <em>Lead-out battles worth the price of admission alone.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tour de France 2025: Stage 9 Route \u2013 Chinon to Ch\u00e2teauroux View Stage 9 Rankings Stage 9 delivers one of those quintessential Tour de France days \u2014 a long, flat, high-speed transit through the heart of rural France, from the wine-soaked banks of the Vienne in Chinon to the sprint-rich history of Ch\u00e2teauroux. On paper,&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":520,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1277","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"taxonomy_info":[],"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"Gautier Durfort","author_link":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/author\/gautier-durfort\/"},"comment_info":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1277"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3353,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1277\/revisions\/3353"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/520"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}