Tour de France Stage 9 Predictions: Milan can go back-to-back in Chateauroux

After Jonathan Milan's dominant victory in Laval on Saturday, Stage 9 of the Tour de France looks set to end in another sprint shootout as the peloton tackles a 174.1km route from Chinon to Chateauroux.

Don't expect fireworks on Sunday, with no categorised climbs on a pancake-flat route that restricts the chances of any breakaway staying clear.

Jasper Philipsen's departure from the tour after crashing on stage three while wearing the green jersey has opened up the points competition.

After serving notice by winning the intermediate sprint on Saturday, Milan sealed his place at the top of the sprinters' classification with Italy's first stage victory since 2019.

The 24-year-old was already in the green jersey by default due to Tadej Pogacar's presence in yellow but now leads that classification by 36 points from the Slovene.

After powering away from the pack, Milan next has the chance to take his second Tour stage victory and emulate Mark Cavendish, who won three times in Chateauroux during his career.

The Route

Don't expect fireworks, with Sunday's 174.1km route from Chinon and Chateauroux one for the purists.

There are no categorised climbs on the parcours and all logic points to a sprint finish.

Mark Cavendish won three of his 35 stage victories in Chateauroux, shining on the Avenue de la Chatre in 2008, 2011 and 2021.

Having gone on to win the green jersey in the latter two of those years, can succeeding Cav prove a bellwether

Tour de France Stage 9 Odds

Jonathan Milan to win @ 6/4

Milan made his intentions clear by going early on Saturday and winning the intermediate sprint.

He then demonstrated real composure to pick his moment and then ominous acceleration to power away from his rivals.

After winning the Giro d'Italia's points classification in 2023 and 2024, Lidl-Trek put their faith in him to do the same at the Tour by sending Mads Pedersen to the Giro.

Pedersen followed in his colleague's footsteps by winning the points prize in May and after going close on stage three, Milan got the job done on Saturday.

On another day for the fast men, Milan will again be looking to show he's the fastest.

Tim Merlier to win @ 5/4

Wout van Aert was Milan's closest rival on Saturday and might fancy himself again before returning to his role supporting Visma-Lease a Bike leader Jonas Vingegaard in time for Monday's foray into the Massif Central.

Stage three winner Tim Merlier could instead prove to be Milan's biggest rival after edging the Italian in Dunkirk.

An untimely mechanical stymied the European champion on Saturday and the Soudal-Quick Step rider will require better luck in Chateauroux.

Still, winning as recently as Monday means he should have the confidence that he can beat Milan and he looks to be the green jersey's main danger.

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