Stage 9 of the Tour de France is often a pivotal stage, especially if it falls within the first week. It can be a challenging stage featuring difficult terrain, such as mountain passes or cobbled sections, designed to test the riders' endurance and tactical prowess. This stage frequently sees significant time gaps emerge between the general classification contenders, reshaping the overall standings and potentially revealing early weaknesses. It's a stage where unexpected attacks can happen, and riders need to be both strong and smart to succeed.
