Stage 9 of the Tour de France 2026 has undergone a last-minute modification due to extreme temperatures forecast in the French department of Corrèze. The organization has removed approximately 30 kilometers from the route initially announced between Malemort and Ussel.
The updated official profile places the stage at nearly 155 kilometers, compared to the 185.5 originally planned. The cyclists started at 1:45 PM and the finish is estimated around 5:30 PM.
Météo-France declared a red alert for a particularly intense heatwave in Corrèze. The Tour organization decided to adapt the route to keep the stage within conditions compatible with the weather alert and reduce the exposure of riders, spectators, and race personnel.
The diversion occurs in the neutralized start zone. The peloton takes the D921 road from Brive-la-Gaillarde towards Lanteuil, thus avoiding the first 30 kilometers of the original itinerary.
A demanding route despite the reduction
The change does not eliminate the main sporting difficulty. The stage retains nearly 3,300 meters of cumulative elevation gain and terrain full of short climbs, descents, and broken roads that favor attacks.
The ninth stage closes the first week of the Tour before the rest day. The route crosses the undulating landscape of Corrèze and is designed for riders capable of withstanding climbs and maintaining speed in the final kilometers.
The last categorized climb is Mont Bessou, a 900-meter ascent with an average gradient of 7.3%. Its summit is located approximately 25 kilometers from the finish in Ussel.
After that point, there are still several short climbs and favorable terrain for attacks from small groups. The organization considers it a suitable stage for classics specialists, all-around riders, and breakaways with cyclists from different teams.
Favorites for the win
Mathieu van der Poel is among the main candidates due to his power on irregular terrain. Mads Pedersen can also take advantage of the profile to score points in his defense of the green jersey.
Other names highlighted by the organization are Romain Grégoire, Dorian Godon, Ben Healy, Tom Pidcock, Mauro Schmid, and the Spaniards Raúl García Pierna and Pablo Castrillo.
Tadej Pogacar faces the stage with the yellow jersey after regaining the lead in the Pyrenees. The profile allows for moves among the stage contenders, although a direct battle between the main favorites is not expected unless the race becomes particularly selective.
Schedule and where to watch the stage
Stage 9 can be watched live in Spain from 3:00 PM on Teledeporte. The broadcast then moves to La 2, approximately at 4:15 PM, and remains complete and uninterrupted on RTVE Play.
RTVE offers the narration by Carlos de Andrés and the commentary by Pedro Delgado. The race can also be followed by radio via RNE.