Posted on 07/10/2006 8:49:41 PM PDT by nutmeg
Stage 9: Bordeaux to Dax - 169.5km
Course: After a long transfer and rest day in Bordeaux, the race continues with the last stage likely to have a mass finish until the Tour is two days out from Paris. The sprinters won't waste the opportunity, especially on a completely flat stage like this one. It barrels southwest through the pine forest of the Landes almost to the Atlantic coast before turning south. Any breakaways are likely to be swept up after the route turns southeast for the final 35km - where winds off the ocean could split the peloton into echelons (perhaps CSC will make one of its trademark surges) and possibly catch out some of the favorites. A number of sharp turns in Dax itself in the final 5km could again split the pack, leaving a smaller-than-usual group to tackle the long, slightly uphill finishing straight.
History: In the last of three Tour stages to finish in Dax, in 2000, Paolo Bettini out-sprinted a four-man break that just held off the pack - which was brought home by Erik Zabel and given the same time as the breakaways.
Favorites: This is a different finish from 2002, but maybe Zabel will finally add to his double-digit total of stage wins. If not, then Robbie McEwen's run of stage victories will probably continue.
Graphics by CyclingNews.com
Heya, luv2ski! green iguana came thru - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1663480/posts?page=76#76 , and figured out what Stage I had buried in the recesses of my addled brain!! :) The article he found is at - http://espn.go.com/moresports/tdf00/s/stagetenrecap.html
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