Tour de France Stage 9 - Chinon to Châteauroux
CAVENDISH AVENUE SPRINT STAGE
Historic finish on Avenue de la Châtre! 174.1km flat sprint where Cavendish won three times!
Stage 9 At A Glance
Difficulty: 1/5 stars | Distance: 174.1km flat through Centre-Val de Loire | GC Impact: Minimal
Key Moment: Final sprint on Cavendish Avenue | Expected Winner: Pure sprinter with powerful leadout
Start Time: 13:10 CEST | Elevation: 1,019m minimal | Sprint Probability: 98%
Stage 9 Quick Facts
Date: Sunday, July 13, 2025 | Distance: 174.1 km | Type: Flat sprint stage | Start: 13:10 CEST
Stage 9 is a classic flat sprint stage from the historic wine town of Chinon to Châteauroux, finishing on the legendary Avenue de la Châtre - now known as "Cavendish Avenue" after Mark Cavendish's three victories (2008, 2011, 2021). With minimal elevation and no categorized climbs, this stage is perfectly designed for the fastest finishers to battle it out in a high-speed bunch sprint.
Stage 9 Elevation Profile
Source: Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)
Pure Sprint Stage Characteristics
Elevation Gain: 1,019m (minimal)
Sprint Probability: 98%
Final 3km: Wide and straight
Sprint Power Requirements
- Peak Sprint Power: 1400-1600W for 12-15 seconds (elite level)
- Leadout Power: 400-500W sustained for final 2-3km
- Positioning Power: 250-300W for final 10km approach
- Sprint Speed: 65-70 km/h peak velocity in final 200m
- Energy System: 90% anaerobic, 10% aerobic for sprint effort
Stage 9 Sprint Analysis
Early Phase (0-100km): Controlled pace by sprint teams, minimal breakaway threat
Middle Phase (100-150km): Zig-zag route with potential echelon risks if windy
Final Phase (150-174km): Sprint teams organize, straight approach to Châteauroux
Key Factor: Wind direction changes in final 50km could create splits
Test your sprint potential with our anaerobic power test and neuromuscular power assessment.
Historical Context - Cavendish's Domain
2008: Cavendish's first Châteauroux win launching his Tour legacy
2011: Second victory here on the day Bradley Wiggins crashed out
2021: Third win at age 36, proving his enduring sprint prowess
Legacy: Three of Cavendish's record 35 Tour stage wins came on this finish
Stage 9 Route Map
Source: Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)
Route Highlights
- Start: Chinon at 13:10 CEST - Historic wine town on the Vienne River
- Early Route: Southeast through Champigny-sur-Veude and Richelieu
- Mid-Stage: Through Parc Naturel Régional de la Brenne
- Key Towns: Paulnay, Mézières-en-Brenne, Buzançais on the Indre River
- Final 50km: Zig-zag pattern designed to create echelon opportunities
- Finish: Avenue de la Châtre (Cavendish Avenue) in Châteauroux
Sprint Course Analysis
- Terrain Character: Flat roads through Centre-Val de Loire plains
- Wind Factor: Final 50km designed for potential crosswind splits
- Road Conditions: Wide, smooth roads ideal for sprint trains
- Technical Sections: Minimal - straightforward sprint approach
- Final Approach: North on D956 Avenue de Blois into Châteauroux
- Sprint Zone: Avenue de la Châtre - historic sprint finish
Cultural Points of Interest
Chinon Wine: Famous for Cabernet Franc red wines from Loire Valley
Richelieu: 17th-century "ideal city" designed by Cardinal Richelieu
Château de Champigny: Renaissance castle with historic gardens
Brenne Nature Park: "Land of a Thousand Ponds" wildlife sanctuary
Châteauroux Heritage: Château Raoul and medieval old town
Stage 9 Time Schedule
| Time (CEST) | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11:10 | Team Buses Arrive | Chinon |
| 12:10 | Rider Sign-in | Start Village |
| 13:10 | STAGE START | Chinon |
| 14:00 | Race Enters Richelieu | Km 30 |
| 15:00 | Brenne Nature Park | Km 75 |
| 16:00 | Echelon Watch Zone | Final 50km begins |
| 16:45 | TV Coverage Begins | Final 20km |
| 16:55 | Sprint Teams Organize | Final 10km |
| 17:02 | Leadout Trains Form | Final 3km |
| 17:07 | SPRINT FINISH | Cavendish Avenue |
How to Watch Stage 9
- TV Coverage: Live from 16:45 CEST for final 20km sprint buildup
- Key Viewing: 17:00-17:07 CEST for leadout battles and sprint finish
- Sprint Zone: Avenue de la Châtre - wide finish for multiple sprint lines
- Live Timing: Real-time positioning in echelon risk zones
- Highlights: Extended Cavendish Avenue analysis post-stage
Sprint Timeline Prediction
- 13:10: Controlled start - sprint teams immediately take charge
- 14:00: Token breakaway unlikely to gain more than 2 minutes
- 15:30: Peloton cruises through Brenne at steady tempo
- 16:00: Echelon alert as route zig-zags begin
- 16:50: Sprint trains move forward to control positioning
- 17:00: Leadout trains fully formed for final 5km
- 17:05: Sprint launches at 300m on Cavendish Avenue
- 17:07: New winner joins Cavendish legacy at Châteauroux
Expected Winning Time
Estimated Winning Time: 3h57m (averaging 44 km/h)
Sprint Speed: 68-72 km/h peak speed in final 200m
Time Gaps: Minimal - top 100 riders within same time
Cavendish Avenue - Sprint History
Mark Cavendish's Châteauroux Triple
The Legend: Avenue de la Châtre renamed "Cavendish Avenue" after three iconic wins
- 2008: First Châteauroux victory launching Tour dominance
- 2011: Victory on dramatic day when Wiggins crashed out
- 2021: Emotional return at 36, proving eternal class
Record: Three of Cavendish's 35 Tour stage wins came on this finish
The Châteauroux Sprint Finish
Avenue de la Châtre Characteristics
- Length: 2km straight approach from final corner
- Width: 8-10 meters allowing multiple sprint lines
- Surface: Perfect smooth tarmac ideal for high speeds
- Gradient: Completely flat (0%) for pure speed
- Wind Factor: Generally sheltered by buildings
- Finish Line: Near Stade Gaston-Petit
Cavendish's Winning Tactics
2008 Victory
Age: 23 years old
Team: Columbia-HTC
Leadout: Mark Renshaw
Margin: Clear bike length
2011 Victory
Context: Wiggins crash day
Team: HTC-Highroad
Sprint: Dominant display
Speed: 71.2 km/h peak
2021 Victory
Comeback: Age 36 return
Team: Deceuninck-Quick Step
Emotion: Tears of joy
Legacy: 34th Tour win
Sprint Finish Analysis
Why Châteauroux Suits Pure Sprinters
- Perfect Lead-in: 10km of straight roads for organization
- No Obstacles: Zero technical challenges in final 5km
- Wide Roads: Multiple passing opportunities prevent boxing
- Shelter: Buildings protect from crosswinds in finale
- History: Every finish here ended in bunch sprint
The Cavendish Method
- Positioning: Always in top-5 wheels at 3km to go
- Patience: Never launches before 250m mark
- Line Choice: Slight drift right in final 100m
- Power Delivery: 1500W+ sustained for 12 seconds
- Mental Edge: Complete confidence on this finish
2025 Sprint Predictions
Who Can Join the Cavendish Avenue Winners?
Historical Pattern: Only pure sprinters have won in Châteauroux
Key Success Factors: Raw speed, perfect timing, strong leadout
2025 Favorites: Philipsen (35%), Girmay (25%), Merlier (20%)
Dark Horses: Milan, Groenewegen, De Lie
Stage 9 Sprint Tactics
Sprint Stage Tactical Overview
Bunch Sprint Probability: 98% - perfect conditions for sprint teams
- Breakaway Chances: Virtually zero - sprint teams won't allow escape
- Wind Factor: Final 50km zig-zag could create echelons if windy
- Key Challenge: Maintaining position through direction changes
- GC Impact: Minimal - time bonuses only (10, 6, 4 seconds)
Race Scenario Analysis
Early Phase (0-80km)
Pace: Totally controlled
Breakaway: Maximum 2 riders
Gap: Never exceeds 2 minutes
Middle Phase (80-130km)
Terrain: Through Brenne flatlands
Control: Sprint teams share work
Alert: Teams watch for wind
Final Phase (130-174km)
Echelon Risk: Zig-zag route
Positioning: Critical from 20km
Sprint Setup: Final 3km crucial
Wind and Echelon Analysis
Final 50km Zig-Zag Pattern
- Route Design: Deliberate direction changes to create drama
- Wind Risk: Southwest winds could split peloton
- Critical Sections: Changes at Villedieu-sur-Indre (25km to go)
- Team Strategy: GC teams must stay alert for splits
- Historical Precedent: 2013 echelons caught many GC riders
Sprint Train Positioning
Critical Positioning Points
- 20km to go: Sprint teams establish control at front
- 10km to go: Enter Châteauroux suburbs in formation
- 5km to go: Cross Indre River, trains fully organized
- 3km to go: Turn onto Avenue Charles de Gaulle
- 1km to go: Final straight on Avenue de la Châtre
- 300m to go: Sprint launches on Cavendish Avenue
Team-by-Team Sprint Strategy
- Alpecin-Deceuninck: Van der Poel positions Philipsen perfectly
- Intermarché-Wanty: Girmay's tactical positioning without full train
- Soudal Quick-Step: Merlier channels Cavendish's winning formula
- Lidl-Trek: Milan's raw power on perfect finish
Sprint Victory Predictions
Stage 9 Winner Analysis
- Jasper Philipsen: 35% - best current sprinter with perfect leadout
- Biniam Girmay: 25% - tactical excellence on wide finishes
- Tim Merlier: 20% - motivated by team's Cavendish connection
- Jonathan Milan: 10% - raw power for straight sprints
- Other Sprinters: 10% - Groenewegen, De Lie, surprises
Fantasy Cycling Strategy
- Captain Pick: Jasper Philipsen - dominant on perfect sprint stages
- Value Pick: Tim Merlier - team history adds motivation
- Safe Option: Biniam Girmay - consistent top-3 finisher
- Differential: Jonathan Milan - first Tour could surprise
- Avoid: Climbers and non-sprinters completely
Budget Strategy: Go all-in on sprinters - 98% bunch sprint certainty
Sprint Stage Sports Science Analysis
Stage 9 Sprint Physiology
- Peak Power Output: 1400-1600W for 12-15 seconds (Cavendish: 1580W)
- Sprint Velocity: 68-72 km/h peak (Cavendish 2011: 71.2 km/h)
- Muscle Fiber Type: 70%+ Type II fast-twitch essential
- Lactate Production: 18-22 mmol/L during maximum effort
- Heart Rate: 95-100% max HR sustained in sprint
- Power-to-Weight: 20-23 W/kg for elite sprint performance
Train for Sprint Success
To excel in sprints like Stage 9's Cavendish Avenue finish, focus on:
- Max Power Intervals: 8x15sec all-out with 4min recovery
- Speed Endurance: 3x500m at 95% with 5min recovery
- Leadout Practice: 3km at 450W finishing with 15sec sprint
- Gym Work: Heavy squats, power cleans, jump squats
- Sprint Technique: High-cadence drills at 130+ rpm
Test your sprint power with our sprint power test and anaerobic capacity assessment.
Sprint Stage Nutrition Strategy
Flat Stage Fueling Protocol
- Carbohydrate Intake: 60-80g per hour (moderate for flat terrain)
- Fluid Intake: 500-750ml per hour in July heat
- Pre-Sprint Preparation: 40g fast carbs 45min before finish
- Caffeine Strategy: 300mg dose 60 minutes before sprint
- Final Hour: Only liquid carbs to avoid GI distress
Sprint-Specific Supplementation
- Creatine: 5g daily throughout Tour for explosive power
- Beta-Alanine: 4-6g daily for lactate buffering capacity
- Sodium Bicarbonate: 0.3g/kg 90min pre-stage for alkalinity
- Nitrate (Beetroot): 500ml juice 2-3 hours before start
Learn more about sprint nutrition strategies and caffeine timing for cycling performance.
Similar Sprint Stages
If you enjoyed this Cavendish Avenue sprint analysis, check out these other flat finishes:
- Stage 1: Lille to Lille - Opening sprint with climbs
- Stage 3: Valenciennes to Dunkerque - Coastal sprint
- Stage 8: Saint-Méen to Laval - Uphill drag finish
- Stage 11: Toulouse Loop - Post-rest day sprint
- Stage 21: Paris Champs-Élysées - Final sprint glory
Sprint Legacy: Châteauroux joins the Champs-Élysées as an iconic Tour sprint venue!
Historic Sprint Comparisons
- Cavendish Era: 35 stage wins including three at Châteauroux
- Sprint Evolution: Modern speeds 5-10% faster than 2008
- Leadout Development: Team trains now hit 55+ km/h
- Power Progression: Elite sprinters now exceed 1600W regularly
Related Pages
- Tour de France 2025 Complete Guide - All stages and analysis
- Tour de France Winners List - Historical champions
- Sprint Power Test - Explosive power assessment
- Anaerobic Power Test - Sprint capacity measurement
- Sprint Nutrition - Fueling for explosive efforts
- Sprint Training - Build Cavendish-level power
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.