September 3 post: Stage 9 is harder than an Ardennes classic but it doesn't feature a Hors catégorie or cat 1 climb that you normally expect with a mountain stage.

Starting in Calpe, a popular pictureque tourist spot on the coast, stage 9 then heads further north along the Costa Blanca before turning inland at Dénia (km 34). A 114 km mountainous romp through the Alicante province then follows featuring 3 cat 3 and 4 cat 2 climbs not including the 1.4 km (7.1%) classic finish in Alcoy.

After eight hot days of racing that also follows Saturday's mountain stage, attrition is the best word to describe this stage with a slow progression of riders getting dropped on each climb (and descent). It should be good fun. The battle for the mountains classification will look like a game of Pacman as the inevitable break gobbles up the points. Is this the stage Saxo Bank's Fränk Schleck shows his face at the front of the race? Caisse d'Epargne's Rubén Plaza will be extra-motivated for this stage because he was born in Alcoy 30 years ago. — Steve

Stage 9 climbs
Km 60 - Coll de Rates - 6,8 km at 5,15% - Category 2
Km 97,8 - Alto de Guadalest - 5,3 km at 7,17% - Category 2
Km 106,5 - Alto de Confrides - 11,8 km at 3,47% - Category 3
Km 124,8 - Alto de Tudons - 7,2 km at 5,14% - Category 2
Km 147,5 - Puerto de Torremanzanas - 8,3 km at 5,42% - Category 2
Km 158,5 - Puerto de Benifallín - 5,3 km at 5,00% - Category 3
Km 174,9 - Alto del Revolcat - 5,9 km at 4,41% - Category 3