The focus of this stage will be the legendary Col d'Aubisque, which represents the final hors categorie climb of the Tour - the mountains aren't finished yet, but Aubisque represents the end of some 'extreme' climbing for riders. Armstrong took the yellow jersey on the back of this climb in 2002 - this occurred earlier in the race, and he went on to dominate the remainder of the Tour after hitting his competition hard in these opening mountain exchanges. In 2005 the situation may well be different, or we could find Armstrong placing a stranglehold on the overall lead leading to a seventh victory - who knows? Either way it's going to be a fight amongst the main GC contenders with a couple of strongmen thrown in; the German has been quiet since his early season success and is primed for a strong Tour performance.
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'I needed to show that I'm ready' - Juan Ayuso steps out of Tadej Pogačar's shadow with Tirreno-Adriatico victory
Spaniard wins Italian stage race as he prepares to step up a level and target the Giro d'Italia -
As it happened: Attacks galore during exciting Paris-Nice finale
Peloton race 119.9km into Nice where the overall winner will be crowned -
Paris-Nice: Matteo Jorgenson secures overall as Magnus Sheffield solos to stage 8 win
Double American success in Nice, Jorgenson and Felix Gall round out final stage podium -
As it happened: Trofeo Binda decided in bunch sprint despite multiple late attacks
It all came down to a sprint despite wave after wave of attacks coming in the final two laps of the race with Elisa Balsamo taking her third Trofeo Binda win
