On the eve of the first rest day of this Tour de France, the riders will start the Troyes stage (199km), Sunday July 7. Unprecedented on the Tour de France, this hilly stage will cross the white paths of Champagne. A profile that could suit the punchers and which could also make differences in the general classification.
A unique stage on the white paths
Fourteen sectors – including twelve in the second part of the stage – and several dozen kilometers of stony paths in the heart of Champagne, this new ninth stage of the Tour de France is reminiscent of the Italian race of Strade Bianche. The riders risk swallowing dust, and will especially have to avoid mechanical problems around Troyes.
A dream opportunity for Pogacar?
Winner of the Strade Bianche in 2022 and 2024, Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) loves this kind of race. The yellow jersey of the Tour de France will surely try to make a difference on his pursuers. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) “knows the stage by heart” and does not think there will be big differences between the favorites. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a bike), who is not used to white roads, will still have to be careful…
A bumpy journey
On their ninth day of racing, the riders will tackle four fourth-category climbs: the Côte de Bergères (1.7km at 5.2%), the Côte de Baroville (2.8km at 4.8%), the Côte de Val Frion (2.2km at 5%) and the Côte de Chacenay (3km at 4.3%). Nothing insurmountable, but the stage promises to be a leg-breaker and could cause damage if it is contested at a high pace.