On Stage 9, we look for a fast rider to move up in the standings to take over the general classification Point d’Appui. Someone like Alessandro Petacchi of Lampre-ISD could easily move up into the Point d’Appui.

On the stage, we might expect Bernard Eisel or Vladimir Karpets to get the middle time on the day. Both were near the Point d’Appui during the Prologue and are still in relatively good shape. Bunged up elbows and knees might slow some of the riders, both for those ahead of the fulcrum and those behind it. There wouldn’t be a lot of enthusiasm for this day except that it is the quickest step to a rest day on Tuesday.

The time trial starts in Arc-et-Senans, zips along a relatively flat stage for 41.5 kilometers (about 25 miles) and finishes with a couple of tight corners in Besançon.