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TOUR DE FRANCE 2021 STAGE 9: CLUSES – TIGNES
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Posted 2 years ago
Yesterday was supposed to a stage for the breakaway, while today was supposed to shake up the GC. Instead yesterday went mental and shook up the GC to an extent we haven’t seen for years, so goodness only know what it will look like after today!
The first kilometres run upstream through the Arve valley before the punchy Côte de Domancy is likely to see a lot of attacks to form the breakaway. The short – 2.5 kilometres – but steep ascent – 9.4% – appears after 17.5 kilometres.
The climbing continues after the top of the Domancy for 6 more kilometres, although the gradients are friendlier – around 5%. The route then moves through the Arly valley to enter the Col des Saisies after 40 kilometres. The 9.4 kilometres climb averages 6.2%. The Saisies also featured in 2020, but it was tackled on another side, while Marc Hirschi was the first rider at the summit.
A 17.5 kilometres downhill leads into Beaufort and the road goes straight back up again. The Col du Pré climbs for 12.6 kilometres and the average gradient sits at 7.7%. From kilometre 7 onward the inclination is hovering around 10% before it flattens out to 4.5% just before the summit. The Pré was included for the first time in 2018, when Warren Barguil pocketed most KOM points at the peak.
A short descent and a section on the flat lead onto the next obstacle. The Cormet de Roselend is a 5.7 kilometres climb at 6.5%. Warren Barguil (2018) and Marc Hirschi (2020) were the last Tour de France contenders to reach the summit in first position.
The riders fly down another long descent to reach Bourg-Saint-Maurice-les-Arcs before a virtually flat section leads onto the finish climb. The Montée de Tignes is 21 kilometres long, while the average gradient sits at 5.6%. Halfway up the climb the route flattens out for 2.5 kilometres before continuing with a slightly steeper second half.
The riders reach Tignes with 2 kilometres remaining. The run-in to the line is flat.
Who’s in the mix for today?
The Contenders: the breakaway has a good chance again and there are mountain points on offer, especially with the HC rating for the Col du Pré, a virtual finish line for anyone wanting the polka dot jersey. Dylan Teuns won yesterday but today is that much more mountainous so both he and Matej Mohorič will have a hard time delivering a third win for their team. Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) is perfect for the long drag to the finish but his form post-Giro is questionable. Esteban Chaves (Bike Exchange) is suited too while colleague Simon Yates has gone in the break two days in a row now and come up short so risk being even more tired today, even if the course is ideal. Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar) has had a rotten Tour so far but the course suits him today too. Jakob Fuglsang has lost time on GC now so has the space needed to attack. Ineos can still get Carapaz on the podium but can probably spare riders for attacks and today is ideal for Richie Porte. Michael Woods went yesterday so does Dan Martin go today? Neilson Powless (EF-Nippo) was tipped yesterday… and finished second last. Perhaps he’ll go again today?
Otherwise who’d bet against Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates) ? He can take minutes out of the breakaway with an attack on the final climb. But he doesn’t need to, perhaps he’ll only go if provoked by others or if his team mates dwindle again. Richard Carapaz (Ineos) can try and see if it’s third time lucky and the final climb is perfect for him, not too steep and at altitude.
One rider who won’t be in the mix is FSJ* Promiz Roglic, Jumbo VIsma have announced this morning that his injuries have proved too much and he won’t start today’s stage
And yesterday –
NBT pp Bunnyhop, standing in for Lunge
*Former Ski Jumper
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