©ASO
Monday brings the Tour's
first rest day as the riders will either gaze happily at the race
standings or lick their wounds from a tougher than average first week of
racing. Cadel Evans said he is simply happy enough to be in yellow that
he will not make any great declarations regarding his desire to keep
his jersey at any cost. Andy Schleck, meanwhile, has shown that whatever
nerves he may face at the beginning of each stage, he is a capable team
leader and will not shy away from attacking the race's preeminent
climber, Alberto Contador.
©ASO
Racing resumes on Tuesday with stage 9 with a 204.5km
mountain marathon from Morzine-Avoriaz to Saint Jean de Maurienne.
Although this stage does not finish atop a mountain summit, the profile
looks like a jagged saw blade with five categorized climbs ready to cut
the legs of the peloton. The final ascent up the hors catégorie Col de
la Madeleine will provide an opportunity for fireworks among the yellow
jersey contenders before a fast plunge down to Saint Jean de Maurienne.
Time gaps will have to be significant, however, as 13km remain between
the end of the descent and the finish line.
The Final Kilometer. ©ASO
Cadel Evans may not feel the need to defend his
yellow jersey at all costs, but with the general classification stacked
with overall contenders, he won't have the luxury of letting just anyone
up the road. Alberto Contador is most likely to take his significant
time gaps on the summit finishes, thus the profile may not incite him to
attack. Then again, having lost ground to Schleck in Sunday's Alpine
opener, the defending champion may have a score to settle.
Mountain Passes and Climbs
- Km 18.5 - Côte de Châtillon - 2.1 km climb to 3.9 % -
Category 4
- Km 46.0 - Col de la Colombière - 16.5 km climb to
6.7 % - Category 1
- Km 71.0 - Col des Aravis - 7.6 km climb to 5.9 % -
Category 2
- Km 97.0 - Col des Saisies - 14.4 km climb to 5.1 % -
Category 1
- Km 172.5 - Col de la Madeleine - 25.5 km climb to
6.2 % - Category HC
 ©ASO
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