COURSE: It’s only 50km from St. Léonard to Guéretas the crow flies, but this stage loops south and east before heading towardthe finish on rolling roads that should favor a breakaway.

FAVORITES: After a day of rest, expect the more aggressive ridersto come out fighting. But the sprinters know that this is their last chanceto snag a win before the climbing stages, so don’t be surprised if the sprinters' teams try to keep any escapes in check. McEwen? O'Grady? Hondo?

STAGE 9 July 13 Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat - Guéret (99.424mi/160km)

HISTORY: The Tour has never come to Guéret before, butthe region has some cycling history. St. Léonard is the hometownof Raymond Poulidor (born on April 15, 1936), the French hero who rode14 Tours and finished on the podium eight times — but never worethe yellow jersey.

ST-LÉONARD DE NOBLAT:
Starts: 0
Finishes: 0

GUÉRET:
Starts: 0
Finishes: 0