Tour De France Stage 9 predictions, betting tips, odds and free bets (Nantua-Chambery, July 9, 2017)

With seven categorized climbs including three "Hors Categorie" ascents, Stage 9 from Nantua to Chambery, (181.5km) could be the deciding stage of the Tour De France 2017 already. This article contains our Tour De France Stage 9 betting preview, best odds, predictions on Winner & Head to Head, betting promotions & no deposit free bets on today's TDF stage!

TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 9 BETTING PREVIEW 

There will be three climbs with average gradients of close to 10% on their entire length with a total ascending elevation of 4600 metres.

The first half of the stage features two Beyond Category ascents - the Col de la Biche, a 10.5km ascent with average gradient of 9% and the Grand Colombier, which is slightly shorter than the previous climb at 8.5 kilometres, however is steeper at 9.9 per cent, with sections above 18 per cent.

Most of the action regarding the General Classification should all come down to the Mont du Chat, the final climb of the day that comes with an average of 10.3%. This climb was raced up (and down) by the riders who took part in June's Criterium du Dauphinè. That day Jakub Fuglsang was the stage winner, but Fabio Aru and Richie Porte were the most impressive riders.

We expect a few GC contenders to crack and lose minutes as the final climb, the Mont du Chat, one of the hardest mountains to be used by the Tour. After the climb, the riders need to tackle the tricky descent on the way to Chambéry. The descent is extremely technical and in the Dauphiné Froome put huge pressure on the other escapees, Porte, Aru and Fuglsang. This made clear that his successful attack on the descent of the Peyresourde in last year’s Tour de France was no coincidence.

As a consequence, Chris Froome is the favourite to win Stage 9. The Brit has shown he is the best descender out of the group, the best on the flat, and possibly the best on the climb as well.

Fabio Aru and Richie Porte will be extremely confident following their Dauphiné performances. Plus, the Italian has already delivered a super victory on La Planche des Belles Filles, looking the strongest climber right now.

Richie Porte was given a real scare by Froome's superior descending at the Dauphine. Furthermore, the Australian did not look very brilliant on the first big climb of the Tour, despite losing few seconds from Froome. Seven climbs in a day could be too much for him.

Romain Bardet gained confidence after the ascent of La Planche des Belles Filles, even though he lost a few seconds on the top favourites there. He also lost ground in the similar stage at the Criterim du Dauphinè, struggling to keep up with Fabio Aru's acceleration.




Apart from the big 4, only Daniel Martin could be a real danger in case of no winning breakaway. Anyway, the Irishman could struggle on Mont du Chat, as he prefers stages with less mountains.

Nairo Quintana doesn't seem to be hitting the top form his team promised he would hit in his second Grand Tour of the season while Alberto Contador, who just seems short of his very best, will only try to limit the gap.

Thibaut Pinot still looks vulnerable when the downhills get difficult and he is unlikely to earn too much time climbing the Mont Du Chat.

Fabio Aru’s Astana teammate, Jakub Fuglsang, who put on a fabulous show on this climb at the Dauphine, had a disappointing day at La Planche des Belle Filles and could be used to help Fabio Aru rather than as captain.

Rafal Majka simply loves this kind of stages and he is a good descenders. The Pole is not considered as a GC threat and should have enough freedom to attack on the final climb or before it.



Long shots?

A breakaway could succeed should the General Classification control themselves. In that case, Esteban Chaves, Jarlinson Pantano, Pierre Rolland, Rigoberto Uran, Thomas De Gendt, Alessandro De Marchi and Daniel Navarro are the best choices.

Yesterday's winner Liliane Calmejane should be exhausted, as well as other attackers such as Serge Pauwels, Greg Van Avermaet, Robert Gesink, Jan Bakelandts and Nicolas Roche.

Finally, this route should be too tough for the likes of George Bennett, Stephen Cummings, Gianluca Brambilla, Diego Ulissi, Mathias Frank and the most of the peloton.

TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 9 ODDS

• Chris Froome @ 8.00
• Thibault Pinot @ 10.00
• Fabio Aru @ 10.00
• Daniel Martin @ 11.00
• Romain Bardet @ 15.00
• Richie Porte @ 17.00
• Pierre Rolland @ 19.00
• George Bennett @ 29.00
• Nairo Quintana @ 33.00
• Rafal Majka @ 34.00
• Simon Yates @ 41.00
• Esteban Chaves @ 51.00
• Jakob Fuglsang @ 51.00
• Alberto Contador @ 51.00
• Robert Gesink @ 51.00
• Darwin Atapuma @ 52.00
• Jarlinson Pantano @ 67.00
• Serge Pauwels @ 67.00
• Stephen Cummings @ 67.00
• Diego Ulissi @ 67.00
• Rigoberto Uran @ 67.00
• Daniel Navarro @ 81.00
• Louis Meintjes @ 81.00
• Warren Barguil @ 81.00
• Mikel Landa @ 81.00
• Lilian Calmejane @ 81.00

TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 9 PREDICTIONS

• Winner: Chris Froome @ 8.00
• Winner: Rafal Majka @ 34.00
• Winner: Daniel Martin @ 11.00
• Head to Head: Majka to beat Fuglsang @ 1.50
• Head to Head: Porte to beat Quintana @ 1.44
• Head to Head: D.Martin to beat Bardet @ 1.66

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