Sunday’s 28kms of Stage 9 from Vannes to Plumelec is a Team Time Trial with a final uphill climb. The Cote de Cadoudal is 1.7kms long with an average gradient of 6.2% so teams will not only have to work together on flat but also make tactical decisions regarding the approach to this challenge as well.
Those teams which have already lost riders due to injury will be at a disadvantage with fewer options to play. Furthermore, this hilly route is the longest TTT since 2009. For me, the teams to watch are Orica, Sky, and Etixx-Quick Step. However, Orica has lost 3 key riders and Martin’s abandonment for Etixx could play in the favor of Froome’s boys. Usually significant time gains aren’t made on a TTT day, but you never know.