Refresh
Stuyven (LTK) was dragged back by the rest of the breakaway.
Van Aert (TVL) is now off the back after some monster turns for Vingegaard. Vlasov (RBH), Gall (DAT) and Zingle (COF) in his group.
Attack in break
Evenepoel (SOQ) makes it back on and can try to relax for a moment.
Evenepoel (SOQ), Mas (MOV) and Gall (DAT) isare almost back on as Van Aert (TVL) continues to set the pace for Vingegaard (TVL).
Problems for Remco Evenepoel (SOQ)! He was caught out at the back of the GC group and is now well off the back with Mas (MOV) and Gall (DAT).
Visma-Lease a Bike win the fight to lead onto the sector but Wellens (UAD) jumps in there.
Thieffrain à Magnant (seventh gravel sector)
Jonas Vingegaard (TVL) is still on teammate, Jan Tratnik’s bike. They basically have the same set up but it’ll be a bit uncomfortable for him.
60km to go
Wellens now joined by Yates for UAE Team Emirates on the front of whats left of the peloton.
Laporte (TVL) and Wellens (TVL) leading but now Van Aert (TVL) and Jorgenson (TVL) also move up.
Plateau de la côte des Bar (Gravel sector six)
70km to go
The GC group is about to swell with the Girmay (IWA) group working their way back onto the UAE Team Emirates led bunch with Wellens, Almeida and Ayuso tapping out a rhythm.
And the chasing group are back with the top three men. Evenepoel (SOQ) is furious with Vingegaard (TVL).
Attack in break
Pogačar (UAD), Evenepoel (SOQ) and Vingegaard (TVL) catch the breakaway! Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe lead the chase behind.
Vingegaard (TVL) is doing no work unlike Evenepoel (SOQ) and Pogačar (UAD). They are about to catch the breakaway.
The brief break of gravel didn’t last long with Evenepoel (SOQ) going just before it restarted again. Now they are back on the asphalt and Pogačar (UAD) drags Vingegaard (TVL) up to Evenepoel (SOQ).
Attack
Attack
The gravel is now done for this climb but the slopes are now 18.5%! Pidcock (IGD) takes the one point.
Van Aert (TVL) is giving his all for Vingegaard now with Jorgenson and Laporte ready and waiting too.
Vingegaard (TVL), Pogačar (UAD), Evenepoel (SOQ) and Roglič (RBH) all at the front of the peloton this time.
80km to go
This time, the peloton is led onto the climb by Visma-Lease a Bike with UAE Team Emirates following in the wheels. De Lie (LTD) immediately dropped.
Onto the next climb which is also gravelled. The Côte de Chacenay. Max gradient of 9% on the gravel.
De Lie (LTD) makes it back in the peloton along with Bardet (DFP) but he is unlikely to be involved in the finale.
The breakaway have now upped their gap to over a minute as they continue to work well together. They have given their all today. Israel-Premier Tech tell Gee to take it easy in the break.
Arnaud De Lie (LTD) starting to really struggle to hold onto the peloton, maybe suffering from his earlier efforts up the road. Mistakes definitely made.
Attack
Alexey Lutsenko (AST) takes the one point at the top of the climb.
The race is really on in the peloton now.
Lazkano (MOV) has obviously had some issues as he has been dropped from the break and now is at the back of the peloton.
Nils Politt (UAD) now takes over on the front of the bunch on the gravel and, finally, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have their man, Primož Roglič, well placed.
Israel-Premier Tech, Ineos Grenadiers and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe join UAE Team Emirates on the front of the peloton as Gee (IPT) leads the break onto one of the hardest sectors, the three star Côte de Val Frion.
Bike change
UAE Team Emirates are really pushing the tempo now with Soler and Wellens giving their all for Pogačar.
Vingegaard (TVL) having to move up himself all on his own despite having multiple teammates in the group. That is what caused the split in the peloton.
Bike change
UAE Team Emirates up the pace and the peloton splits and Primož Roglič (RBH) has just missed the split but the chase is rapid and closed down very quickly.
All the big names are better placed but Primož Roglič (RBH) could do with moving up again.
Amazingly, Sam Bennett (DAT) has only now been dropped. Quite the ride from the Irishman.
100km to go
Hautes Forêts (Gravel sector three)
UAE Team Emirates, Visma-Lease a Bike, Ineos Grenadiers, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe as well as Uno-x Mobility now working on the front of the peloton.
The peloton calms down a bit now with no new moves. The break’s advantage is slowly starting to grow again.
More new attacks coming out of the peloton with Van der Poel (ADC) and Abrahamsen (UXM) involved.
110km to go
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe get Sobrero and Vlasov back along with Hindley to help their leader.
The Bardet (DFP) group are about to get dragged back again.
Simon Yates (JAY), Felix Gall (DAT) and David Gaudu (GFC) are around a minute down from the regathered GC group.
Primož Roglič (RBH) is chasing on the front himself! They have lost Sobrero and Vlasov who are dropped and he only has Hindley now as he makes it back again.
Primož Roglič (RBH) and co are now just 10″ behind the main GC group.
The intermediate sprint happens now but no-one is interested in this and all the points will be taken by the break. Anthony Turgis (TEN) takes the 20 points.
Bizarrely, Aleksandr Vlasov (RBH) is sat at the back of the peloton and not committing to work for Primož Roglič (RBH). Maybe he’s waiting for bottles, but he is 10th in GC.
Since Turner (IGD) and Moscon (SOQ) joined Kelderman (TVL), the gap to Primož Roglič (RBH) has gone out to 20″ again.
Gianni Moscon (SOQ) is on the front working for Evenepoel (SOQ) along with Visma-Lease a Bike and Turner (IGD).
Just 20″ between the GC group and the Primož Roglič (RBH) group that includes the green jersey of Biniam Girmay (IWA) as well as 8th place Mikel Landa (SOQ) and Wout Van Aert (TVL).
120km to go
Gaps from the break…
Ben Turner (IGD) now moves up to help Visma-Lease a Bike as Rodriguez (IGD) can gain at least one place in GC now that Primož Roglič (RBH) is caught out.
UAE Team Emirates have regathered themselves as Pogačar has Yates, Almeida and Soler with him.
De Lie (LTD) and Matthews (JAY) both caught by the peloton.
Primož Roglič (RBH) has Sobrero to support him but it is only them and this is a massive gap to the other leaders. Vingegaard (TVL), Pogačar (UAD), Evenepoel (SOQ), Rodriguez (IGD) all in the GC group.
At the front of the peloton, UAE Team Emirates have almost been decimated and Visnma-Lease a Bike. No sign of Primož Roglič (RBH). He has missed the move and is just 100 metres behind the back of the group.
The race has come to a stand still with several riders having to run up the climb including Mikel Landa (SOQ) and Wout Van Aert (TVL).
Visma-Lease a Bike and Ineos Grenadiers fighting UAE Team Emirates fight to lead onto the gravel and its a draw between Visma-Lease a BIke and UAE Team Emirates.
1.2km of gravel on a tough climb and immediately Powless (EFE) is distanced. Romo and Lazkano of Movistar are setting a brutal pace.
Pidcock (IGD), Healy (EFE) and Powless (EFE) make it into the lead group.
Finally, UAE Team Emirates take control of the peloton.
Another move in the peloton. This time, it is a Arrkea-B&B Hotels rider along with Abrahamsen (UXM) who had been caught briefly.
Jonas Abrahamsen (UXM) has just launched out of the peloton with 2’19” gap to bridge. That is a tough task.
Onto the Côte de Baroville now.
An absolutely bizarre desition by EF Eduction-EasyPost as they drop Neilson Powless (EFE) back to help Healy (EFE) and Pidcock (IGD).
Quite the day we have ahead of us…
Jake Stewart (IPT) makes it to the De Lie (LTD) group.
Crash!
Gravel world champion, Matej Mohorič (TBV) and U23 world champion, Axel Laurance (ADC) are said to be in a group on the road as well.
Bardet (DFP) has been jpined by Cort (UXM) and Küng (GFC) in one of the other chase groups with more moves behind by DSM-Firmenich-PostNL.
Bizarrely, Movistar riders Romo and Lazkano were absolutely hammering the pace but Aranburu is just off the back. Very odd. But they have made it across now.
Crash
Another move goes in the peloton. Michael Matthews (JAY) and Hugo Page (IWA).
Ballerini (AST) was caught and dropped by Pidcock (IGD) and Healy (EFE). He is now with De Lie (LTD) and Russo (GFC). This has been absolutely rapid. 50kph average speed.
Aranburu (MOV) and Zingle (COF) are not far off bridging to the leaders.
Winner of stage one, Romain Bardet (DFP), has launched as he had to use the grass to get out of the bunch.
Another attack from the peloton. It is Arnaud De Lie (LTD) yet again. He is trying to bridge to Healy (EFE) and Pidcock (IGD) who are just ahead of him.
Puncture
Remco Evenepoel (SOQ) missing from the front positions but could now be moving up.
150km to go
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe led onto the gravel in the peloton along with Ineos Grenadiers and Visma-Lease a Bike and they drop the speed after getting onto the gravel.
Gravel sector one
Cavendish (AST) getting involved with the attacks once again and it looks like he may well make the leaders in this new break. Pidcock (IGD) is also involved. But, as soon as it goes it comes back once again.
Mechanical
Evenepoel (SOQ) is very far down the peloton. Interesting that they have failed to position him. But the attacks go again as Alpecin-Deceuninck launch with another rider followed by about eight others.
The breakaway is caught and now the race has changed. UAE Team Emirates, Visma-Lease a Bike and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe hit the front for their GC leaders.
Van der Poel (ADC) is becoming much more active now as a new group of about 15 riders get a tiny gap but the door is quickly slammed shut and it is back together again.
160km to go
And now the wind is playing a factor with the suggestion of echelons beginning.
Attack
The leaders were caught but a very large group gets away including Richard Carapaz (EFE).
Spanish national champion, Alex Aranburu (MOV), launches his move with four other riders but it is Jayco-AlUla who pulls that back.
Bol (AST) dragged back. Arkea-B&B Hotels now on the front of the bunch. Lots of UAE Team Emirates nowhere near the front of the peloton as Tadej Pogačar is almost looking after himself as Nils Politt sticks with him.
Astana Qazaqstan have a rider trying to bridge the gap. Looks like Cees Bol. He is in no-mans-land for the moment.
Ineos Grenadiers have three riders around Carlos Rodriguez at the front of the peloton. Remco Evenepoel (SOQ) and Primož Roglič (RBH) currently isolated, but well placed.
170km to go
The gap to the break has disappeared almost completely as Gaviria (MOV) fires up the gap to see if he can get to the leaders along with another Movistar rider.
Ion Izagirre (COF) now tries a move, but, he doesn’t go all in and it was easily followed.
The leading group still look good but Movistar return to chasing. Abrahamsen (UXM) also returns to the front after taking a bit of time at the back of the bunch to regather himself.
More moves continue to fly out of the peloton including Cort (UXM), Costa (EFE), Pidcock (IGD) and Lazkano (MOV).
180km to go
Attack
Maxim Van Gils (LTD) was the lastest Lotto-DSTNY rider to try but he doesn’t get away.
Lotto-DSTNY have Drizners in the break but they don’t seem to be happy with that as they are constantly launching riders off the front. Alpecin-Deceuninck are also getting involved for the first time.
Mechanical
Interestingly, Arnaud De Lie (LTD) is following moves as the Belgian champion tries to get into the breakaway. A very dangerous rider on this sort of stage.
Still so many moves trying to form the breakaway. This leading five still are working well together, but they only have nine seconds and Lapeira (DAT) has started sitting on.
Very strong group has got up the road including Derek Gee (IPT) who is 14th in GC at just over five minutes from the race lead.
Movistar lead the peloton at the moment as they seem keen to get a rider up the road.
Attack
Attack
There was a special and emotional moment before the start as Uno-x Mobility led the moment of applause for the Norwegian Coop-Repsol rider, Andre Drege, who died yesterday at the Tour of Austria.
Stefan Bissegger (EFE) has a small gap on the bunch, now.
Uno-Xx Mobility are extremely keen to get riders in the break with Kristoff and Abrahamsen being the main riders involved.
Jonas Abrahamsen (UXM), Alexander Kristoff (UXM), Victor Campenaerts (LTD), Krists Neilands (IPT), Rui Costa (EFE) and two others have a small gap.
199km to go
Primož Roglič (RBH) is ready to give his all today…
Several riders from Movistar and Arkea-B&B Hotels near the front of the peloton behind the lead car as they build towards the official start.
The riders have started the neutral zone.
Today, the riders will tackle 14 sections of gravel. Plenty of wind out there as well. Gusts said to be around 30kph which, if they last for a while, could cause carnage.
Just around 15 minutes until the neutral start.
Could today be a day for this man? Alberto Bettiol of EF Education-EasyPost has been showing that he has great legs at this year’s Tour de France. Maybe today he can get the stage he’s been searching for.
Today at sign on for both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia women, the Movistar riders and staff wear red neckerchiefs as a nod to the controversial bull run in Pamplona, where bulls run through the streets of the city along with thousands of people.
Remco Evenepoel (SOQ), who hasn’t had the greatest gravel record, spoke to the media about his feelings going into today’s stage:
One big name that will surely give his all today is world champion, Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Deceuninck. Whether that’s from a break or a controlled peloton, we shall see. Jasper Philipsen (ADC) and Axel Laurance (ADC) could also be involved for the Belgian squad.
Today will be interesting in a few ways. Will the break be allowed to get a good enough gap to win? Will there be any disaster moments in the GC fight? And will the likes of Wout Van Aert (TVL) and Tom Pidcock (IGD) be allowed off the leash and go for the stage win?
We’ve made our first tyre visuals 👀
Our Head of News Stephen Farrand spoke to numerous riders ahead of today’s stage. “There will be a race within the race, which makes it even harder and more stressful,” were the cautionary words from Alberto Bettiol.
The Tour de France is also arranging its own tribute to the Norwegian rider, as Norwegian team Uno-X Mobility is set to arrive at the start line five minutes ahead of the stage start in order to pay tribute to Drege.
Elsewhere in pro cycling, the tragic news of André Drege continues to make its impact on the sport.
Today’s stage will start and finish in Troyes, taking in 14 gravel sections in the loo course.
A one-day Classic sandwiched into the middle of a Grand Tour, today’s stage to Troyes has been hotly anticipated. It is also a relative unknown for the GC competition, where Pogačar spoke with trepidation yesterday:
Bonjour and welcome to Cyclingnews’ live coverage of stage 9 of the 2024 Tour de France!
Refresh
Stuyven (LTK) was dragged back by the rest of the breakaway.
Van Aert (TVL) is now off the back after some monster turns for Vingegaard. Vlasov (RBH), Gall (DAT) and Zingle (COF) in his group.
Attack in break
Evenepoel (SOQ) makes it back on and can try to relax for a moment.
Evenepoel (SOQ), Mas (MOV) and Gall (DAT) isare almost back on as Van Aert (TVL) continues to set the pace for Vingegaard (TVL).
Problems for Remco Evenepoel (SOQ)! He was caught out at the back of the GC group and is now well off the back with Mas (MOV) and Gall (DAT).
Visma-Lease a Bike win the fight to lead onto the sector but Wellens (UAD) jumps in there.
Thieffrain à Magnant (seventh gravel sector)
Jonas Vingegaard (TVL) is still on teammate, Jan Tratnik’s bike. They basically have the same set up but it’ll be a bit uncomfortable for him.
60km to go
Wellens now joined by Yates for UAE Team Emirates on the front of whats left of the peloton.
Laporte (TVL) and Wellens (TVL) leading but now Van Aert (TVL) and Jorgenson (TVL) also move up.
Plateau de la côte des Bar (Gravel sector six)
70km to go
The GC group is about to swell with the Girmay (IWA) group working their way back onto the UAE Team Emirates led bunch with Wellens, Almeida and Ayuso tapping out a rhythm.
And the chasing group are back with the top three men. Evenepoel (SOQ) is furious with Vingegaard (TVL).
Attack in break
Pogačar (UAD), Evenepoel (SOQ) and Vingegaard (TVL) catch the breakaway! Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe lead the chase behind.
Vingegaard (TVL) is doing no work unlike Evenepoel (SOQ) and Pogačar (UAD). They are about to catch the breakaway.
The brief break of gravel didn’t last long with Evenepoel (SOQ) going just before it restarted again. Now they are back on the asphalt and Pogačar (UAD) drags Vingegaard (TVL) up to Evenepoel (SOQ).
Attack
Attack
The gravel is now done for this climb but the slopes are now 18.5%! Pidcock (IGD) takes the one point.
Van Aert (TVL) is giving his all for Vingegaard now with Jorgenson and Laporte ready and waiting too.
Vingegaard (TVL), Pogačar (UAD), Evenepoel (SOQ) and Roglič (RBH) all at the front of the peloton this time.
80km to go
This time, the peloton is led onto the climb by Visma-Lease a Bike with UAE Team Emirates following in the wheels. De Lie (LTD) immediately dropped.
Onto the next climb which is also gravelled. The Côte de Chacenay. Max gradient of 9% on the gravel.
De Lie (LTD) makes it back in the peloton along with Bardet (DFP) but he is unlikely to be involved in the finale.
The breakaway have now upped their gap to over a minute as they continue to work well together. They have given their all today. Israel-Premier Tech tell Gee to take it easy in the break.
Arnaud De Lie (LTD) starting to really struggle to hold onto the peloton, maybe suffering from his earlier efforts up the road. Mistakes definitely made.
Attack
Alexey Lutsenko (AST) takes the one point at the top of the climb.
The race is really on in the peloton now.
Lazkano (MOV) has obviously had some issues as he has been dropped from the break and now is at the back of the peloton.
Nils Politt (UAD) now takes over on the front of the bunch on the gravel and, finally, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have their man, Primož Roglič, well placed.
Israel-Premier Tech, Ineos Grenadiers and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe join UAE Team Emirates on the front of the peloton as Gee (IPT) leads the break onto one of the hardest sectors, the three star Côte de Val Frion.
Bike change
UAE Team Emirates are really pushing the tempo now with Soler and Wellens giving their all for Pogačar.
Vingegaard (TVL) having to move up himself all on his own despite having multiple teammates in the group. That is what caused the split in the peloton.
Bike change
UAE Team Emirates up the pace and the peloton splits and Primož Roglič (RBH) has just missed the split but the chase is rapid and closed down very quickly.
All the big names are better placed but Primož Roglič (RBH) could do with moving up again.
Amazingly, Sam Bennett (DAT) has only now been dropped. Quite the ride from the Irishman.
100km to go
Hautes Forêts (Gravel sector three)
UAE Team Emirates, Visma-Lease a Bike, Ineos Grenadiers, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe as well as Uno-x Mobility now working on the front of the peloton.
The peloton calms down a bit now with no new moves. The break’s advantage is slowly starting to grow again.
More new attacks coming out of the peloton with Van der Poel (ADC) and Abrahamsen (UXM) involved.
110km to go
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe get Sobrero and Vlasov back along with Hindley to help their leader.
The Bardet (DFP) group are about to get dragged back again.
Simon Yates (JAY), Felix Gall (DAT) and David Gaudu (GFC) are around a minute down from the regathered GC group.
Primož Roglič (RBH) is chasing on the front himself! They have lost Sobrero and Vlasov who are dropped and he only has Hindley now as he makes it back again.
Primož Roglič (RBH) and co are now just 10″ behind the main GC group.
The intermediate sprint happens now but no-one is interested in this and all the points will be taken by the break. Anthony Turgis (TEN) takes the 20 points.
Bizarrely, Aleksandr Vlasov (RBH) is sat at the back of the peloton and not committing to work for Primož Roglič (RBH). Maybe he’s waiting for bottles, but he is 10th in GC.
Since Turner (IGD) and Moscon (SOQ) joined Kelderman (TVL), the gap to Primož Roglič (RBH) has gone out to 20″ again.
Gianni Moscon (SOQ) is on the front working for Evenepoel (SOQ) along with Visma-Lease a Bike and Turner (IGD).
Just 20″ between the GC group and the Primož Roglič (RBH) group that includes the green jersey of Biniam Girmay (IWA) as well as 8th place Mikel Landa (SOQ) and Wout Van Aert (TVL).
120km to go
Gaps from the break…
Ben Turner (IGD) now moves up to help Visma-Lease a Bike as Rodriguez (IGD) can gain at least one place in GC now that Primož Roglič (RBH) is caught out.
UAE Team Emirates have regathered themselves as Pogačar has Yates, Almeida and Soler with him.
De Lie (LTD) and Matthews (JAY) both caught by the peloton.
Primož Roglič (RBH) has Sobrero to support him but it is only them and this is a massive gap to the other leaders. Vingegaard (TVL), Pogačar (UAD), Evenepoel (SOQ), Rodriguez (IGD) all in the GC group.
At the front of the peloton, UAE Team Emirates have almost been decimated and Visnma-Lease a Bike. No sign of Primož Roglič (RBH). He has missed the move and is just 100 metres behind the back of the group.
The race has come to a stand still with several riders having to run up the climb including Mikel Landa (SOQ) and Wout Van Aert (TVL).
Visma-Lease a Bike and Ineos Grenadiers fighting UAE Team Emirates fight to lead onto the gravel and its a draw between Visma-Lease a BIke and UAE Team Emirates.
1.2km of gravel on a tough climb and immediately Powless (EFE) is distanced. Romo and Lazkano of Movistar are setting a brutal pace.
Pidcock (IGD), Healy (EFE) and Powless (EFE) make it into the lead group.
Finally, UAE Team Emirates take control of the peloton.
Another move in the peloton. This time, it is a Arrkea-B&B Hotels rider along with Abrahamsen (UXM) who had been caught briefly.
Jonas Abrahamsen (UXM) has just launched out of the peloton with 2’19” gap to bridge. That is a tough task.
Onto the Côte de Baroville now.
An absolutely bizarre desition by EF Eduction-EasyPost as they drop Neilson Powless (EFE) back to help Healy (EFE) and Pidcock (IGD).
Quite the day we have ahead of us…
Jake Stewart (IPT) makes it to the De Lie (LTD) group.
Crash!
Gravel world champion, Matej Mohorič (TBV) and U23 world champion, Axel Laurance (ADC) are said to be in a group on the road as well.
Bardet (DFP) has been jpined by Cort (UXM) and Küng (GFC) in one of the other chase groups with more moves behind by DSM-Firmenich-PostNL.
Bizarrely, Movistar riders Romo and Lazkano were absolutely hammering the pace but Aranburu is just off the back. Very odd. But they have made it across now.
Crash
Another move goes in the peloton. Michael Matthews (JAY) and Hugo Page (IWA).
Ballerini (AST) was caught and dropped by Pidcock (IGD) and Healy (EFE). He is now with De Lie (LTD) and Russo (GFC). This has been absolutely rapid. 50kph average speed.
Aranburu (MOV) and Zingle (COF) are not far off bridging to the leaders.
Winner of stage one, Romain Bardet (DFP), has launched as he had to use the grass to get out of the bunch.
Another attack from the peloton. It is Arnaud De Lie (LTD) yet again. He is trying to bridge to Healy (EFE) and Pidcock (IGD) who are just ahead of him.
Puncture
Remco Evenepoel (SOQ) missing from the front positions but could now be moving up.
150km to go
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe led onto the gravel in the peloton along with Ineos Grenadiers and Visma-Lease a Bike and they drop the speed after getting onto the gravel.
Gravel sector one
Cavendish (AST) getting involved with the attacks once again and it looks like he may well make the leaders in this new break. Pidcock (IGD) is also involved. But, as soon as it goes it comes back once again.
Mechanical
Evenepoel (SOQ) is very far down the peloton. Interesting that they have failed to position him. But the attacks go again as Alpecin-Deceuninck launch with another rider followed by about eight others.
The breakaway is caught and now the race has changed. UAE Team Emirates, Visma-Lease a Bike and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe hit the front for their GC leaders.
Van der Poel (ADC) is becoming much more active now as a new group of about 15 riders get a tiny gap but the door is quickly slammed shut and it is back together again.
160km to go
And now the wind is playing a factor with the suggestion of echelons beginning.
Attack
The leaders were caught but a very large group gets away including Richard Carapaz (EFE).
Spanish national champion, Alex Aranburu (MOV), launches his move with four other riders but it is Jayco-AlUla who pulls that back.
Bol (AST) dragged back. Arkea-B&B Hotels now on the front of the bunch. Lots of UAE Team Emirates nowhere near the front of the peloton as Tadej Pogačar is almost looking after himself as Nils Politt sticks with him.
Astana Qazaqstan have a rider trying to bridge the gap. Looks like Cees Bol. He is in no-mans-land for the moment.
Ineos Grenadiers have three riders around Carlos Rodriguez at the front of the peloton. Remco Evenepoel (SOQ) and Primož Roglič (RBH) currently isolated, but well placed.
170km to go
The gap to the break has disappeared almost completely as Gaviria (MOV) fires up the gap to see if he can get to the leaders along with another Movistar rider.
Ion Izagirre (COF) now tries a move, but, he doesn’t go all in and it was easily followed.
The leading group still look good but Movistar return to chasing. Abrahamsen (UXM) also returns to the front after taking a bit of time at the back of the bunch to regather himself.
More moves continue to fly out of the peloton including Cort (UXM), Costa (EFE), Pidcock (IGD) and Lazkano (MOV).
180km to go
Attack
Maxim Van Gils (LTD) was the lastest Lotto-DSTNY rider to try but he doesn’t get away.
Lotto-DSTNY have Drizners in the break but they don’t seem to be happy with that as they are constantly launching riders off the front. Alpecin-Deceuninck are also getting involved for the first time.
Mechanical
Interestingly, Arnaud De Lie (LTD) is following moves as the Belgian champion tries to get into the breakaway. A very dangerous rider on this sort of stage.
Still so many moves trying to form the breakaway. This leading five still are working well together, but they only have nine seconds and Lapeira (DAT) has started sitting on.
Very strong group has got up the road including Derek Gee (IPT) who is 14th in GC at just over five minutes from the race lead.
Movistar lead the peloton at the moment as they seem keen to get a rider up the road.
Attack
Attack
There was a special and emotional moment before the start as Uno-x Mobility led the moment of applause for the Norwegian Coop-Repsol rider, Andre Drege, who died yesterday at the Tour of Austria.
Stefan Bissegger (EFE) has a small gap on the bunch, now.
Uno-Xx Mobility are extremely keen to get riders in the break with Kristoff and Abrahamsen being the main riders involved.
Jonas Abrahamsen (UXM), Alexander Kristoff (UXM), Victor Campenaerts (LTD), Krists Neilands (IPT), Rui Costa (EFE) and two others have a small gap.
199km to go
Primož Roglič (RBH) is ready to give his all today…
Several riders from Movistar and Arkea-B&B Hotels near the front of the peloton behind the lead car as they build towards the official start.
The riders have started the neutral zone.
Today, the riders will tackle 14 sections of gravel. Plenty of wind out there as well. Gusts said to be around 30kph which, if they last for a while, could cause carnage.
Just around 15 minutes until the neutral start.
Could today be a day for this man? Alberto Bettiol of EF Education-EasyPost has been showing that he has great legs at this year’s Tour de France. Maybe today he can get the stage he’s been searching for.
Today at sign on for both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia women, the Movistar riders and staff wear red neckerchiefs as a nod to the controversial bull run in Pamplona, where bulls run through the streets of the city along with thousands of people.
Remco Evenepoel (SOQ), who hasn’t had the greatest gravel record, spoke to the media about his feelings going into today’s stage:
One big name that will surely give his all today is world champion, Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Deceuninck. Whether that’s from a break or a controlled peloton, we shall see. Jasper Philipsen (ADC) and Axel Laurance (ADC) could also be involved for the Belgian squad.
Today will be interesting in a few ways. Will the break be allowed to get a good enough gap to win? Will there be any disaster moments in the GC fight? And will the likes of Wout Van Aert (TVL) and Tom Pidcock (IGD) be allowed off the leash and go for the stage win?
We’ve made our first tyre visuals 👀
Our Head of News Stephen Farrand spoke to numerous riders ahead of today’s stage. “There will be a race within the race, which makes it even harder and more stressful,” were the cautionary words from Alberto Bettiol.
The Tour de France is also arranging its own tribute to the Norwegian rider, as Norwegian team Uno-X Mobility is set to arrive at the start line five minutes ahead of the stage start in order to pay tribute to Drege.
Elsewhere in pro cycling, the tragic news of André Drege continues to make its impact on the sport.
Today’s stage will start and finish in Troyes, taking in 14 gravel sections in the loo course.
A one-day Classic sandwiched into the middle of a Grand Tour, today’s stage to Troyes has been hotly anticipated. It is also a relative unknown for the GC competition, where Pogačar spoke with trepidation yesterday:
Bonjour and welcome to Cyclingnews’ live coverage of stage 9 of the 2024 Tour de France!
