Stage 11 will start in the tiny village of Vatan - population 2,000 - and symbolises a tribute to rural France. Vatan (pronounced 'Va-t'en', which means 'get lost') hosted a meeting of representatives of villages with similarly funny-sounding names last year - such as 'Montéton' ('my tit') or 'Trécon' ('Very stupid').
The peloton might not have a chance to laugh though, as the 192km-journey to Saint-Fargeau as the stage promises to be fast. The 2009 green jersey of best sprinter could be decided today!
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