{"id":1286,"date":"2025-05-30T13:07:51","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T11:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/?p=1286"},"modified":"2025-05-30T13:07:54","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T11:07:54","slug":"stage-9-strategy-and-prediction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/stage-9-strategy-and-prediction\/","title":{"rendered":"Stage 9 Tactics &amp; Predictions, Who will Shine in 2025?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Sunday, July 13, 2025, the Tour de France&#8217;s Stage 9 will take riders from the historic town of Chinon to Ch\u00e2teauroux, covering a distance of 170 kilometers. This stage is predominantly flat, with an elevation gain of under 1,300 meters, making it an ideal opportunity for sprinters to showcase their speed.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_b53ad1-0d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_b53ad1-0d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_b53ad1-0d\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);text-align:center;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_b53ad1-0d mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_b53ad1-0d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_b53ad1-0d\"] 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-heading1286_b53ad1-0d img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_b53ad1-0d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_b53ad1-0d\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_b53ad1-0d wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_b53ad1-0d\">Stage 9 Key Tactics &amp; Team Strategies<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_3aaf17-a6, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_3aaf17-a6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_3aaf17-a6\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_3aaf17-a6 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_3aaf17-a6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_3aaf17-a6\"] 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-heading1286_3aaf17-a6 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_3aaf17-a6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_3aaf17-a6\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_3aaf17-a6 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_3aaf17-a6\"><strong>Stage 9 might look like a textbook sprinter\u2019s day on paper \u2014 but it\u2019s far from easy.<\/strong> Long, exposed straights, wind corridors, and the threat of echelons means this stage has GC implications lurking beneath its flat profile. Here\u2019s how the day will get played:<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a7375e-7f, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a7375e-7f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_a7375e-7f\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a7375e-7f mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a7375e-7f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_a7375e-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-heading1286_a7375e-7f img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a7375e-7f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_a7375e-7f\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_a7375e-7f wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_a7375e-7f\"><strong>The Morning Breakaway:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Expect a hell-for-leather fight for the early break in the first 15 km, especially from wildcard ProTeams and opportunists like De Gendt or Campenaerts. But the peloton won\u2019t give much rope \u2014 no one wants to chase deep into a crosswind stage.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1286_0c5169-c9{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_0c5169-c9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1286_0c5169-c9 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_0c5169-c9 > .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-id1286_0c5169-c9 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_0c5169-c9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_0c5169-c9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1286_0c5169-c9 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-column1286_d44fcd-ef > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column1286_d44fcd-ef > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1286_d44fcd-ef > .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-column1286_d44fcd-ef > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1286_d44fcd-ef > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1286_d44fcd-ef > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1286_d44fcd-ef > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1286_d44fcd-ef{position:relative;}.kadence-column1286_d44fcd-ef, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1286_d44fcd-ef:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1286_d44fcd-ef > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1286_d44fcd-ef > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1286_d44fcd-ef\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54\"]{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-heading1286_f5ca89-54 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54\"] 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-heading1286_f5ca89-54 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_f5ca89-54\"><strong>Prediction:<\/strong> Break of 3\u20135 riders, max gap 3\u20134 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_0410b5-9e .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_0410b5-9e .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-1286_0410b5-9e\"><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-heading1286_347f94-01, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_347f94-01[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_347f94-01\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_347f94-01 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_347f94-01[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_347f94-01\"] 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-heading1286_347f94-01 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_347f94-01[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_347f94-01\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_347f94-01 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_347f94-01\"><strong>Crosswind Sectors \u2014 Race Shakers:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The mid-stage between km 30 and km 100 is lined with <strong>open farmland and wide roads.<\/strong> If the wind\u2019s up, this is where teams like <strong>Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, Alpecin-Deceuninck, and DSM-Firmenich<\/strong> will lay the hammer down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Expect echelon attempts, stress at the front, and GC teams like <strong>UAE, Jumbo-Visma, Bora<\/strong> riding nose-to-the-wind to stay safe. Riders caught snoozing here lose minutes, not seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1286_ad4318-a2{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_ad4318-a2 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1286_ad4318-a2 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_ad4318-a2 > .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-id1286_ad4318-a2 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_ad4318-a2 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_ad4318-a2 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1286_ad4318-a2 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-column1286_896285-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column1286_896285-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1286_896285-74 > .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-column1286_896285-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1286_896285-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1286_896285-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1286_896285-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1286_896285-74{position:relative;}.kadence-column1286_896285-74, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1286_896285-74:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1286_896285-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1286_896285-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1286_896285-74\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf\"]{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-heading1286_d6468e-bf mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf\"] 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-heading1286_d6468e-bf img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d6468e-bf\"><strong>Key trigger:<\/strong> If wind exceeds 20 km\/h \u2014 expect carnage.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_07974d-48 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_07974d-48 .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-1286_07974d-48\"><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-heading1286_4d06e0-cc, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_4d06e0-cc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_4d06e0-cc\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_4d06e0-cc mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_4d06e0-cc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_4d06e0-cc\"] 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-heading1286_4d06e0-cc img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_4d06e0-cc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_4d06e0-cc\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_4d06e0-cc wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_4d06e0-cc\"><strong>Intermediate Sprint \u2014 Green Jersey War:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Positioned around km 82 on a flat, dead-straight stretch. Expect sprint teams to bring their trains forward, not just for the points, but to control positioning ahead of potential crosswind splits immediately after.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1286_c7cdb3-a2{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_c7cdb3-a2 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1286_c7cdb3-a2 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_c7cdb3-a2 > .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-id1286_c7cdb3-a2 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_c7cdb3-a2 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_c7cdb3-a2 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1286_c7cdb3-a2 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-column1286_b57a1d-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column1286_b57a1d-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1286_b57a1d-e3 > .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-column1286_b57a1d-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1286_b57a1d-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1286_b57a1d-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1286_b57a1d-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1286_b57a1d-e3{position:relative;}.kadence-column1286_b57a1d-e3, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1286_b57a1d-e3:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1286_b57a1d-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1286_b57a1d-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1286_b57a1d-e3\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab\"]{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-heading1286_c702db-ab mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab\"] 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-heading1286_c702db-ab img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_c702db-ab\">Watch for <strong>Pedersen, Philipsen, and Jakobsen<\/strong> to score here.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_3e1451-91 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_3e1451-91 .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-1286_3e1451-91\"><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-heading1286_62be9f-9e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_62be9f-9e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_62be9f-9e\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_62be9f-9e mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_62be9f-9e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_62be9f-9e\"] 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-heading1286_62be9f-9e img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_62be9f-9e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_62be9f-9e\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_62be9f-9e wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_62be9f-9e\"><strong>Final 40 km \u2014 Sprinter Squads Take Over:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once past the worst of the wind danger zones, sprint teams will reorganize.<br><strong>Alpecin-Deceuninck<\/strong> will aim for a textbook double-train, <strong>Van der Poel piloting Philipsen<\/strong>. <strong>DSM-Firmenich<\/strong> will keep Jakobsen tucked in, with M\u00f8rk\u00f8v leading the final kilometer. <strong>Lidl-Trek<\/strong> will surf wheels for Pedersen\u2019s top-3 ambitions.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1286_28f458-70{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_28f458-70 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1286_28f458-70 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_28f458-70 > .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-id1286_28f458-70 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_28f458-70 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_28f458-70 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1286_28f458-70 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-column1286_3c454a-af > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column1286_3c454a-af > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1286_3c454a-af > .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-column1286_3c454a-af > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1286_3c454a-af > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1286_3c454a-af > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1286_3c454a-af > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1286_3c454a-af{position:relative;}.kadence-column1286_3c454a-af, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1286_3c454a-af:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1286_3c454a-af > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1286_3c454a-af > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1286_3c454a-af\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b\"]{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-heading1286_59916a-6b mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b\"] 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-heading1286_59916a-6b img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_59916a-6b\">GC teams shift from defensive to neutral, just ensuring no splits.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_1d0cb3-58 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_1d0cb3-58 .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-1286_1d0cb3-58\"><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-heading1286_d175ee-27, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d175ee-27[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d175ee-27\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d175ee-27 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d175ee-27[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d175ee-27\"] 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-heading1286_d175ee-27 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d175ee-27[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d175ee-27\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_d175ee-27 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d175ee-27\"><strong>The Last 5 km \u2014 A High-Speed Drag Race:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wide, smooth boulevards into Ch\u00e2teauroux mean pure speed. Expect sprinter teams to deploy early \u2014 leadouts ramping up from 3 km out. Final cornerless 500 meters is all about timing.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1286_a23eb0-7f{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_a23eb0-7f > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1286_a23eb0-7f > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_a23eb0-7f > .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-id1286_a23eb0-7f > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_a23eb0-7f > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_a23eb0-7f > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1286_a23eb0-7f 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-column1286_36722b-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column1286_36722b-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1286_36722b-eb > .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-column1286_36722b-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1286_36722b-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1286_36722b-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1286_36722b-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1286_36722b-eb{position:relative;}.kadence-column1286_36722b-eb, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1286_36722b-eb:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1286_36722b-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1286_36722b-eb > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1286_36722b-eb\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55\"]{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-heading1286_ba72be-55 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_ba72be-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-heading1286_ba72be-55 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_ba72be-55\"><strong>Key move:<\/strong> The rider launched at 200\u2013150 m wins. Anything earlier gets swamped.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_af49c0-60 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_af49c0-60 .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-1286_af49c0-60\"><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-heading1286_5a35c5-90, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_5a35c5-90[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_5a35c5-90\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);text-align:center;font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_5a35c5-90 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_5a35c5-90[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_5a35c5-90\"] 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-heading1286_5a35c5-90 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_5a35c5-90[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_5a35c5-90\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_5a35c5-90 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_5a35c5-90\"><strong>\ud83d\udcca 9th Stage Tactical Zones Breakdown<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1286_a97cf7-13{margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id1286_a97cf7-13 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1286_a97cf7-13 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_a97cf7-13 > .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-id1286_a97cf7-13 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_a97cf7-13 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_a97cf7-13 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1286_a97cf7-13 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-column1286_d67b67-b8 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1286_d67b67-b8 > .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-column1286_d67b67-b8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1286_d67b67-b8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1286_d67b67-b8 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1286_d67b67-b8 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1286_d67b67-b8{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1286_d67b67-b8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1286_d67b67-b8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1286_d67b67-b8\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-table-container1286_de0cd8-7e{font-size:15px;overflow-x:auto;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1286_de0cd8-7e 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-table1286_de0cd8-7e caption{text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1286_de0cd8-7e 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-table1286_de0cd8-7e tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-container .kb-table1286_de0cd8-7e tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-container .kb-table1286_de0cd8-7e tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-table-container kb-table-container1286_de0cd8-7e wp-block-kadence-table\"><table class=\"kb-table kb-table1286_de0cd8-7e\">\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_e0ab66-20{height:55px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_e0ab66-20\">\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_397334-15\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sector<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_23e151-29\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Distance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_6dbca3-6d\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Features<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_511066-8e\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tactical Focus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_bd5f44-59{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_bd5f44-59:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_bd5f44-59\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_050718-9a\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sector 1: Early Rolling Roads<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_729654-90\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">0\u201325 km<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_b5d006-b8\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Narrow roads out of Chinon<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_9d2fc6-dc\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Furious fight for the breakaway, GC teams up front<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_d8f2c9-6c{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_d8f2c9-6c:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_d8f2c9-6c\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_0863b8-41\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sector 2: Open Fields &amp; Crosswind Alley #1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_c4db45-00\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">25\u201380 km<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_76b6ed-fd\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Exposed farmlands, flat<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_0dbd54-59\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Quick-Step &amp; Jayco could split the bunch if the wind\u2019s up<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_659743-77{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_659743-77:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_659743-77\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_661e2f-37\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Intermediate Sprint<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_e1a171-51\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">82 km<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_542af8-4c\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Dead straight, slightly downhill<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_8e42c6-42\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Green jersey battle, teams will line out<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_19505c-18{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_19505c-18:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_19505c-18\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_90cd30-89\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sector 3: Crosswind Alley #2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_75a31c-91\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">82\u2013130 km<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_4e8a61-4b\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Flat, wide roads, open crosswinds<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_d11014-b7\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Watch for echelons \u2014 decisive moment if gusty<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_5ceaa9-d5{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_5ceaa9-d5:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_5ceaa9-d5\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_ba6a4a-ef\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sector 4: Final 5 km<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_c3554f-1a\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">169\u2013174 km<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_7f40f5-fe\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Wide boulevards, gentle drag to the line<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_257150-39\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Leadout trains deploy, positioning key, double-trains possible<\/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-1286_fae8f4-0a .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_fae8f4-0a .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-1286_fae8f4-0a\"><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-heading1286_121d88-d1, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_121d88-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_121d88-d1\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_121d88-d1 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_121d88-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_121d88-d1\"] 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-heading1286_121d88-d1 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_121d88-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_121d88-d1\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_121d88-d1 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_121d88-d1\"><strong>Team-by-Team Strategy Notes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Alpecin-Deceuninck:<br><\/strong> \ud83d\udca5 Control from 10 km out, double leadout with Van der Poel launching Philipsen at 200 m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><strong>DSM-Firmenich:<br><\/strong> \ud83d\udca5 Keep Jakobsen safe through crosswinds, unleash M\u00f8rk\u00f8v + Degenkolb in final km.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lidl-Trek:<br><\/strong> \ud83d\udca5 Pedersen hunts intermediate sprint, softens rivals before a top-3 stage charge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><strong>Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl:<br><\/strong> \ud83d\udca5 Crosswind raids from 25\u201380 km. If conditions allow, split the race before the sprint.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>UAE Team Emirates \/ Jumbo-Visma \/ Bora:<br><\/strong> \ud83d\udd10 GC teams will glue themselves to the front in crosswind zones, avoid splits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><strong>Breakaway Specialists (De Gendt, Campenaerts):<\/strong><br> \ud83d\udca5 All-in early. If they stick past 90 km, they\u2019ll make sprinter teams burn matches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_c5f99a-23 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_c5f99a-23 .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-1286_c5f99a-23\"><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-heading1286_1a6595-cd, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_1a6595-cd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_1a6595-cd\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_1a6595-cd mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_1a6595-cd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_1a6595-cd\"] 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-heading1286_1a6595-cd img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_1a6595-cd[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_1a6595-cd\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_1a6595-cd wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_1a6595-cd\"><strong><strong>\u26a0\ufe0f Key Tactical Triggers<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Wind Speed Over 20 km\/h at km 30 &amp; km 100 = instant echelons.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><strong>GC teams must ride top 20 wheels for 90% of the day.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><strong>Sprinter teams launch double-train setups at 5 km marker.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bonus seconds aren\u2019t critical here \u2014 but positioning for GC is.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_32381c-bb, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_32381c-bb[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_32381c-bb\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_32381c-bb mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_32381c-bb[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_32381c-bb\"] 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-heading1286_32381c-bb img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_32381c-bb[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_32381c-bb\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_32381c-bb wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_32381c-bb\"><strong>Pro Insight of the Stage 9:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This isn\u2019t a parade stage. It\u2019s a <strong>GC survival test hidden in a sprinter\u2019s day.<\/strong> If it blows apart in the crosswinds, top-10 contenders could ship time before the mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_5e0b04-41, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_5e0b04-41[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_5e0b04-41\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_5e0b04-41 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_5e0b04-41[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_5e0b04-41\"] 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-heading1286_5e0b04-41 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_5e0b04-41[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_5e0b04-41\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_5e0b04-41 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_5e0b04-41\">It\u2019s a day for <strong>discipline, positioning, and a ruthless sprint finale.<\/strong> Sprinters will go all-in, GC leaders will ride scared, and fans should be glued from km 30.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_932542-e4 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_932542-e4 .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-1286_932542-e4\"><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-heading1286_00d2be-19, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_00d2be-19[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_00d2be-19\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:28px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_00d2be-19 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_00d2be-19[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_00d2be-19\"] 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-heading1286_00d2be-19 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_00d2be-19[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_00d2be-19\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_00d2be-19 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_00d2be-19\"><strong>Who Benefits? Sprinters, Opportunists &amp; Wind Warriors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ce71d7-ed, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ce71d7-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_ce71d7-ed\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ce71d7-ed mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ce71d7-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_ce71d7-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-heading1286_ce71d7-ed img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_ce71d7-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_ce71d7-ed\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_ce71d7-ed wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_ce71d7-ed\"><strong>On paper:<\/strong> A <strong>pure sprinter\u2019s stage<\/strong> \u2014 but it ain\u2019t that simple in France. This one\u2019s got subtle threats that could ruin a GC man\u2019s weekend or launch a breakaway hero to legend status.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_8b1494-8f .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_8b1494-8f .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-1286_8b1494-8f\"><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-heading1286_9af35b-56, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_9af35b-56[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_9af35b-56\"]{padding-bottom:0px;text-align:center;font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_9af35b-56 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_9af35b-56[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_9af35b-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-heading1286_9af35b-56 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_9af35b-56[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_9af35b-56\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_9af35b-56 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_9af35b-56\"><strong>Who\u2019s Loving This?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1286_aa5115-e8{margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id1286_aa5115-e8 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1286_aa5115-e8 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_aa5115-e8 > .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-id1286_aa5115-e8 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_aa5115-e8 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_aa5115-e8 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1286_aa5115-e8 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-column1286_fe50ec-80 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1286_fe50ec-80 > .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-column1286_fe50ec-80 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1286_fe50ec-80 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1286_fe50ec-80 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1286_fe50ec-80 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1286_fe50ec-80{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1286_fe50ec-80 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1286_fe50ec-80 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1286_fe50ec-80\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-table-container1286_bcc8d8-77{font-size:15px;overflow-x:auto;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1286_bcc8d8-77 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-table1286_bcc8d8-77 caption{text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1286_bcc8d8-77 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-table1286_bcc8d8-77 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-container .kb-table1286_bcc8d8-77 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-container .kb-table1286_bcc8d8-77 tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-table-container kb-table-container1286_bcc8d8-77 wp-block-kadence-table\"><table class=\"kb-table kb-table1286_bcc8d8-77\">\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_b92950-cb{height:55px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_b92950-cb\">\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_1becde-64\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Type<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_067618-ff\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Names \/ Teams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_028d69-b6\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Suits Them<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_a2b2c2-b9{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_a2b2c2-b9:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_a2b2c2-b9\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_6a470d-35\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Top-End Sprinters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_71f8c9-a5\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin), Fabio Jakobsen (DSM-Firmenich), Sam Welsford (Bora)<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_5faa9a-6c\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Fast, wide finish \u2014 textbook drag race, no technical corners<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_f7f3ba-89{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_f7f3ba-89:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_f7f3ba-89\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_dd5be8-b2\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Leadout Kings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_3ae491-c8\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Van der Poel (Alpecin), M\u00f8rk\u00f8v (DSM), Degenkolb (DSM)<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_b84193-56\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Final 5 km built for organized sprint trains<br><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_d2c33a-59{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_d2c33a-59:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_d2c33a-59\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_126581-4f\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Crosswind Aces<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_9c98ea-d0\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Quick-Step, Jayco-AlUla, UAE<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_38bcfb-33\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Open farmland 25\u201380 km and 82\u2013130 km stretches perfect for echelon traps<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_e6e625-6a{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_e6e625-6a:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_e6e625-6a\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_8dfabe-38\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Green Jersey Hunters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_a58c33-54\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis)<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_be856d-ce\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Intermediate sprint points at 82 km, and a possible top 5 stage placing<\/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-1286_5565b0-b5 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_5565b0-b5 .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-1286_5565b0-b5\"><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-heading1286_d69655-0c, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d69655-0c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d69655-0c\"]{padding-bottom:0px;font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d69655-0c mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d69655-0c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d69655-0c\"] 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-heading1286_d69655-0c img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_d69655-0c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d69655-0c\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_d69655-0c wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_d69655-0c\"><strong>\u26a0\ufe0f Who\u2019s on Alert?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1286_21e3f0-32{margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id1286_21e3f0-32 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1286_21e3f0-32 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_21e3f0-32 > .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-id1286_21e3f0-32 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_21e3f0-32 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_21e3f0-32 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1286_21e3f0-32 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-column1286_39f472-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1286_39f472-4c > .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-column1286_39f472-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1286_39f472-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1286_39f472-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1286_39f472-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1286_39f472-4c{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1286_39f472-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1286_39f472-4c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1286_39f472-4c\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-table-container1286_6b2964-6e{font-size:15px;overflow-x:auto;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1286_6b2964-6e 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-table1286_6b2964-6e caption{text-align:center;}.kb-table-container .kb-table1286_6b2964-6e 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-table1286_6b2964-6e tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-container .kb-table1286_6b2964-6e tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-container .kb-table1286_6b2964-6e tr{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(113,128,150,0.57);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-table-container kb-table-container1286_6b2964-6e wp-block-kadence-table\"><table class=\"kb-table kb-table1286_6b2964-6e\">\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_d5d9d0-86{height:55px;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_d5d9d0-86\">\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_9f604f-89\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Type<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_0172b3-09\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Names \/ Teams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n\n<th  scope=\"col\" class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_56dede-20\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why They\u2019re At Risk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_4bc21b-43{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_4bc21b-43:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_4bc21b-43\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_5cc2cf-2b\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GC Contenders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_d1f92e-32\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Vingegaard, Pogacar, Rogli\u010d<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_5fd5b1-55\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Crosswind splits can open gaps if they\u2019re caught napping<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_18b857-85{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_18b857-85:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_18b857-85\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_fdc181-46\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Breakaway Dreamers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_93deec-d2\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Thomas De Gendt, Victor Campenaerts<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_58208a-25\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Peloton won\u2019t let them go too far; sprinter teams will reel them in<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<style>.kb-table-container .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_70a82b-06{height:50px;}.kb-table-container  .kb-table tr.kb-table-row1286_70a82b-06:hover{background-color:#fcfcfc;}<\/style><tr class=\"kb-table-row kb-table-row1286_70a82b-06\">\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_390f88-68\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tired Legs from Stage 8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_5807be-40\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Lesser sprinters or poorly placed domestiques<\/p>\n\n<\/td>\n\n<td  class=\"kb-table-data kb-table-data1286_26c8f1-fa\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Can get spat out in crosswinds, miss positioning late<\/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-1286_061c62-57 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_061c62-57 .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-1286_061c62-57\"><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-heading1286_08df27-43, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_08df27-43[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_08df27-43\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_08df27-43 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_08df27-43[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_08df27-43\"] 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-heading1286_08df27-43 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_08df27-43[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_08df27-43\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_08df27-43 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_08df27-43\"><strong>Key Tactical Implications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sprint Trains:<\/strong> Whoever controls the front from 5 km out is the favorite. The long, wide roads suit double-train setups like Alpecin and DSM-Firmenich.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><strong>Crosswind Mischief:<\/strong> If Quick-Step or Jayco smell wind at 25 km, 82 km, or 100 km, they\u2019ll rip it. GC leaders need to stay in top 30 wheels <em>all day<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Intermediate Sprint Battle:<\/strong> Expect a mini drag race between the break and the sprinters\u2019 lieutenants. Pedersen loves these.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1286_3668dc-ce{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_3668dc-ce > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1286_3668dc-ce > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_3668dc-ce > .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-id1286_3668dc-ce > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_3668dc-ce > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_3668dc-ce > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1286_3668dc-ce 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-column1286_a90684-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column1286_a90684-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1286_a90684-a8 > .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-column1286_a90684-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1286_a90684-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1286_a90684-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1286_a90684-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1286_a90684-a8{position:relative;}.kadence-column1286_a90684-a8, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1286_a90684-a8:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1286_a90684-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1286_a90684-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1286_a90684-a8\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_042963-94, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_042963-94[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_042963-94\"]{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-heading1286_042963-94 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_042963-94[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_042963-94\"] 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-heading1286_042963-94 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_042963-94[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_042963-94\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_042963-94, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_042963-94[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_042963-94\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_042963-94, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_042963-94[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_042963-94\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_042963-94 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_042963-94\"><strong>Signature Takeaway:<br><\/strong> <strong>If it stays calm, it\u2019s a sprinters\u2019 World Championship-style finish. If the wind blows or there\u2019s late chaos, it\u2019s a survival mission for GC guys and a jackpot for savvy sprinter squads.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_b20942-31 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_b20942-31 .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-1286_b20942-31\"><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-heading1286_133898-d1, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_133898-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_133898-d1\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_133898-d1 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_133898-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_133898-d1\"] 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-heading1286_133898-d1 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_133898-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_133898-d1\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_133898-d1 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_133898-d1\">Stage 9 <strong>Predictions &amp; Fan Polls \u2014 Full-Throttle Sprint Chaos in Ch\u00e2teauroux<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Alright Tour tribe \u2014 it\u2019s time to throw down your picks.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flat, dead-straight finish, hot July air, and a peloton frothing at 70 km\/h. You already know what\u2019s coming: a bunch sprint war.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_b075de-dc, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_b075de-dc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_b075de-dc\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_b075de-dc mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_b075de-dc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_b075de-dc\"] 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-heading1286_b075de-dc img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_b075de-dc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_b075de-dc\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_b075de-dc wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_b075de-dc\">This ain\u2019t chess \u2014 it\u2019s high-speed mayhem at <strong>72 km\/h down a 1.5 km arrow-straight runway.<\/strong> No climbs, no curves, just one long, hot, desperate drag race. Who\u2019s got the legs, the timing, and the guts to thread that final needle?<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_64b0e4-b0 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_64b0e4-b0 .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-1286_64b0e4-b0\"><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-heading1286_e4466e-35, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_e4466e-35[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_e4466e-35\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_e4466e-35 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_e4466e-35[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_e4466e-35\"] 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-heading1286_e4466e-35 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_e4466e-35[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_e4466e-35\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_e4466e-35 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_e4466e-35\"><strong>Top Contenders &amp; Why They Matter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Jasper Philipsen<\/strong> \u2014 Untouchable this season when it\u2019s fast and flat. Best positioning instincts in the game. Alpecin train\u2019s firing on all cylinders.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><strong>Fabio Jakobsen<\/strong> \u2014 Pure top-end speed merchant. If he\u2019s on Philipsen\u2019s wheel in the final 300m, it\u2019s game on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Arnaud D\u00e9mare<\/strong> \u2014 French fans will blow the roof off if he hits the front. Knows this kind of finish by heart.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><strong>Sam Bennett<\/strong> \u2014 Gritty, experienced, and motivated. Don\u2019t count him out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Olav Kooij<\/strong> \u2014 The wildcard kid. If there\u2019s any chaos or split in the lead-outs, he\u2019ll snake through.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_e02c4a-58 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_e02c4a-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-1286_e02c4a-58\"><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-heading1286_4983c0-02, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_4983c0-02[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_4983c0-02\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_4983c0-02 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_4983c0-02[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_4983c0-02\"] 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-heading1286_4983c0-02 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_4983c0-02[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_4983c0-02\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_4983c0-02 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_4983c0-02\"><strong>\ud83d\udcca Fan Poll Prompt:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udd25 <em>\u201cPick your gladiator for Stage 9\u2019s flat-out finale \u2014 who rules Ch\u00e2teauroux?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\ud83e\udd47 Jasper Philipsen<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\ud83e\udd48 Fabio Jakobsen<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\ud83e\udd49 Arnaud D\u00e9mare<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\ud83d\ude80 Sam Bennett<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\ud83c\udfb2 Olav Kooij<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u26a1 A surprise long-shot (drop the name!)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_15ddc4-bd .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_15ddc4-bd .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-1286_15ddc4-bd\"><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-heading1286_f0234f-07, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_f0234f-07[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_f0234f-07\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_f0234f-07 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_f0234f-07[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_f0234f-07\"] 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-heading1286_f0234f-07 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_f0234f-07[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_f0234f-07\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_f0234f-07 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_f0234f-07\"><strong>Pro Prediction: No Guts, No Glory<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A drag race for the ages<\/strong>. I\u2019m calling:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Winner:<\/strong> Jasper Philipsen \u2014 unbeatable train, flawless positioning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><strong>Runner-up:<\/strong> Fabio Jakobsen \u2014 inches behind, pure horsepower.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Third:<\/strong> Olav Kooij \u2014 sneaky late surge as the big names jostle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1286_6ce097-c7{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_6ce097-c7 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1286_6ce097-c7 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_6ce097-c7 > .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-id1286_6ce097-c7 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_6ce097-c7 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_6ce097-c7 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1286_6ce097-c7 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-column1286_e90545-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column1286_e90545-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1286_e90545-3f > .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-column1286_e90545-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1286_e90545-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1286_e90545-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1286_e90545-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1286_e90545-3f{position:relative;}.kadence-column1286_e90545-3f, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1286_e90545-3f:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1286_e90545-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1286_e90545-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1286_e90545-3f\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc\"]{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-heading1286_a9b32d-bc mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc\"] 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-heading1286_a9b32d-bc img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_a9b32d-bc\"><em>Expect speeds flirting with 73 km\/h in the final 250m, elbows out, barriers tight.<\/em> Someone\u2019s going to hit the tarmac, because there\u2019s no Plan B in this kind of sprint.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_c6549c-38 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-1286_c6549c-38 .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-1286_c6549c-38\"><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-heading1286_dfbd67-9e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_dfbd67-9e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_dfbd67-9e\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-size:25px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_dfbd67-9e mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_dfbd67-9e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_dfbd67-9e\"] 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-heading1286_dfbd67-9e img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_dfbd67-9e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_dfbd67-9e\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_dfbd67-9e wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_dfbd67-9e\"><strong>\ud83c\udfc1 My Bold Call:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Jasper Philipsen edges Jakobsen by half a wheel<\/strong> after a textbook Alpecin-Deceuninck lead-out. D\u00e9mare takes third with a late surge.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id1286_cb8c0d-6f{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_cb8c0d-6f > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1286_cb8c0d-6f > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1286_cb8c0d-6f > .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:1px;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-id1286_cb8c0d-6f > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_cb8c0d-6f > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1286_cb8c0d-6f > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1286_cb8c0d-6f 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-column1286_94e2bc-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column1286_94e2bc-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1286_94e2bc-74 > .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-column1286_94e2bc-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1286_94e2bc-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1286_94e2bc-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1286_94e2bc-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1286_94e2bc-74{position:relative;}.kadence-column1286_94e2bc-74, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column1286_94e2bc-74:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1286_94e2bc-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1286_94e2bc-74 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1286_94e2bc-74\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13\"]{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-heading1286_db92ab-13 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13\"] 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-heading1286_db92ab-13 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1286_db92ab-13\">Expect speeds topping <strong>72 km\/h in the final 500m<\/strong> on that laser-straight boulevard. Absolute chaos. No room for mistakes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stage 9 promises a blend of competitive racing and cultural richness, offering both participants and fans a memorable experience in the heart of France.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Sunday, July 13, 2025, the Tour de France&#8217;s Stage 9 will take riders from the historic town of Chinon to Ch\u00e2teauroux, covering a distance of 170 kilometers. This stage is predominantly flat, with an elevation gain of under 1,300 meters, making it an ideal opportunity for sprinters to showcase their speed. Stage 9 Key&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","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":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tdf-guide"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":27,"label":"Tour de France Guide"}]},"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"Gautier Durfort","author_link":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/author\/gautier-durfort\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":27,"name":"Tour de France Guide","slug":"tdf-guide","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":27,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Tour de France 2025 Guide: Stage-by-stage breakdowns, route maps, team previews, and expert predictions for all 21 days of racing. Your complete TDF resource","parent":0,"count":31,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":27,"category_count":31,"category_description":"Tour de France 2025 Guide: Stage-by-stage breakdowns, route maps, team previews, and expert predictions for all 21 days of racing. Your complete TDF resource","cat_name":"Tour de France Guide","category_nicename":"tdf-guide","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"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=1286"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1286\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}