Today is the first really hilly stage as the race moves south into the Massif Central to the ski resort of Super-Besse close to Le Mont-Dore. The race profile shows that it is all upwards today from 415 metres at the start in Aigurande to 1275 m at the finish in Super-Besse with a couple of steep climbs at the end – Col de la Croix Saint-Robert (6.2% for 6.2 km) and Super-Besse Sancy (short but sharp at 7.6% for 1.5 km). It will be a hard day for anyone injured in yesterday's crashes.
The intermediate sprint is at 83 km in the flatter section of the stage, so if there hasn't been a big breakaway it could well be contested by the sprinters in the Green Jersey competition. It would be amazing if Thor Hushvod doesn't lose Yellow today – he would be equally surprised! My hunch is that Cadel Evans will take Yellow (if not Evans – Frank Schleck) and that Contador will try and get a few seconds back on the last climb.
