There are no impossible climbs but there isn't a single meter of flat road in the ninth stage of the Tour de France, the Malemort-Ussel route of 154.6 km. The Corrèze region, which will be crossed today, indeed presents the challenges of the Central Massif.

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A stage that, compared to the original plan, has been shortened by 31 kilometers in its initial section due to the red alert issued by Meteo France for the Corrèze region because of an exceptional heat wave.

After the riders parade in Brive-la-Gaillarde, the race will leave the original route to take the D921 and return to the planned course in the town of Lanteuil, 147.8 km from the Ussel finish line.

It remains nonetheless ideal terrain for attackers, a stage made for breakaways that couldn't be better, so let's prepare ourselves for a frantic start, in which many will truly try to make the right move. Four categorized climbs on the day: it begins with the Côte de Naves, at km 47, category 3, 2.3 km at 7.4%; then one of the key moments of the stage will be the Suc au May at km 75, category 2, 3.8 km at 7.5% which climbs irregularly and could be a launching pad for victory contenders; then comes the Côte de la Croix du Pey, at km 99.4, category 3, 4.8 km at 6% and finally another key point with the short but demanding Mont Bessou, at km 131, category 4, 0.9 km at 7.3%. From the last categorized climb there will be 25 kilometers remaining to the Ussel finish line.

Tomorrow is a rest day for everyone in Cantal and on Tuesday the race will restart with another stage, this time more demanding, on the Central Massif.