The Tour de France leaves the Alps behind and in a long, 222 kilometre transition stage. Join me from 10:00pm AEST for tonight’s live blog.
There are no King of the Mountains points today, so Joaquim Rodriguez can ride knowing he is guaranteed at least one more day in the polka dot jersey.
The GC contenders and mountain goats should enjoy a day of riding without any pressure, other than ensuring they remain upright, while the sprinters should have some fun.
There is one potential factor that could play havoc – the wind. Depending on the day’s conditions, we may see splits forming if teams are not paying close enough attention to the conditions.
This extra element should make for an even more exciting stage.
However, the sprinters’ teams will be aiming to get their stars nestled into a well-formed and well-drilled train for what should be a spectacular finish in the amphitheatre at Nîmes.
The stage begins in Tallard, which sits at 612 metres above sea level and gently works its way to Nîmes, 46 metres above sea level.
There is one intermediate sprint point after 175 kilometres in La Galine.
Stack your fantasy teams with sprinters for this stage, hope the wind doesn’t cause too much chaos, or maybe don’t, and enjoy what should be a fast stage prior to tomorrow’s rest day.
Join me from 10pm AEST for tonight’s live blog.
Kate Smart
Expert
That was such a fantastic stage! I think we all need tomorrow's rest day to recover. Don't forget to join us for all of the latest action from the Tour de France. Goodnight!
Kate Smart
Expert
Yes, that was equally heartbreaking. He may not be the official of the stage, but I think for many Jack Bauer won. Perhaps the most combative was awarded too early?
Kate Smart
Expert
Correction Bauer was 10th.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Breakaway got Tony Martin'd there in a replay of that famous 2013 Vuelta a Espana stage. Bauer probably got pipped to the line by the same margin too ironically.
Kate Smart
Expert
Wow! What a tremendous stage. You really have to feel for Bauer and Elmiger. So close.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
No Australian stage victory, but great to see second place go to IAM Cycling's Heinrich Haussler.
Kate Smart
Expert
Fabulous to see Heinrich Haussler there too and Mark Renshaw. Haussler second. Sagan fourth. Greipel Fifth. Coquard sixth. Bauer seventh.
Kate Smart
Expert
Elmiger goes. No Bauer. Peloton on their tails. Kristoff takes the stage from Bauer with only a few metres to go.
Kate Smart
Expert
Stop looking back Elmiger. 500 mtrs to go. 9 sec gap.
Kate Smart
Expert
C'mon breakaway! 12 secs
Kate Smart
Expert
The peloton looks quite disorganised. Giant on the front trying to take control. The gap is 15 secs with 1km to go.
Kate Smart
Expert
Bennati begins to attack and gets a flat. Bad luck. The gap is 20 secs with 1.7km to go.
Kate Smart
Expert
Tinkoff are also moving up to the front. The gap is 24 secs with 2km to go.
Kate Smart
Expert
OPQS making more moves. Cannondale now at the front of the peloton. The gap is 28 secs with 3km to go. This is so exciting.
Kate Smart
Expert
Katusha now not he front of the peloton. Martin has been joined by a Lotto rider. The gap is now 29 secs.
Kate Smart
Expert
Tony Martin makes a move. The gap is 32 secs with just over 4km to go.
Kate Smart
Expert
Elmiger has been named the most aggressive rider of the stage and he will wear the red bib on Tuesday. Tomorrow is a rest day.
Kate Smart
Expert
I rarely hide my bias and now is no time to start. IAM have my favourite kit and I would love to see the Swiss wildcard team get their first stage win. Wishfull thinking I'm sure as Lotto is chasing them down. The peloton is strung out. The gap is now 38 acs with 6km to go.
Kate Smart
Expert
Can these two stay away until the end? The gap is 42 secs with 7km to go.
Kate Smart
Expert
The gap is 43 secs with 9km to go.