Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news
Stage nine on Sunday 15 July is the day every rider had circled in their diary since the Tour’s route was unveiled: Arras to Roubaix.
The route to Roubaix is treacherous, lined with 15 sectors of pavé - cobbles – making up 21.7km of the 154km stage. Even if rain doesn’t intervene to grease the ground, the cobbles will inevitably cause havoc with the peloton.
Punctures and crashes are occupational hazards for riders on days like these, and although some don’t believe cobbles should be part of the Tour de France , there is no denying they bring huge added interest following a couple of uneventful days.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guideShow all 42 1 /42Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 1 Saturday 7 July: Noirmoutier-En-L’Ïle to Fontenay-Le-Comte (201km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 1 profile A flat opening stage following the coastline which will expose the peloton to crosswinds from the Atlantic Ocean and is likely to end in a bunch sprint.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 2 Sunday 8 July: Mouilleron-Saint Germain to La Roche-Sur-Yon (182.5km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 2 profile A route through the Vendee countryside with another opportunity for the sprinters to clinch a stage victory.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 3 Monday 9 July: Cholet (team time trial, 35.5km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 3 profile A team trial around Cholet which will give an early indication as to the quality and depth of the leading groups.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 4 Tuesday 10 July: La Baule to Sarzeau (195 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 4 profile The visit to Brittany could be the moment for the dominant sprinter of the Tour to make his mark.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 5 Wednesday 11 July: Lorient to Quimper (204.5 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 5 profile A tricky stage to Finistere full of narrow roads and short, sharp climbs.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 6 Thursday 12 July: Brest – Mûr de Bretagne Guerlédan (181 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 6 profile The Mur de Bretagne will be scaled twice in the final kilometres in the toughest test of the first week.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 7 Friday 13 July: Fougères to Chartres (231 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 7 profile This is a long stage which invites a breakaway but is likely to won by a sprinter.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 8 Saturday 14 July: Dreux to Amiens Métropole (181 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 8 profile The sprinters could be scuppered by the Normandy crosswinds – conditions will be crucial.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 9 Sunday 15 July: Arras Citadelle to Roubaix (156.5 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 9 profile A testing route consisting of 22km of cobblestone split into 15 treacherous section which could claim a few casualties.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 10 Tuesday 17 July: Annecy to Le Grand-Bornand (158.5 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 10 profile A rare trip off the asphalt and on to a gravel road is likely to puncture a few tyres.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 11 Wednesday 18 July: Albertville to La Rosière (108.5 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 11 A first serious taste of the mountains, albeit on a very short stage.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 12 Thursday 19 July: Bourg-Saint-Maurice Les Arc to Alpe d’Huez (175.5 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 12 profile A summit finish on top of the Tour de France’s most iconic climb: Alpe d’Huez.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 13 Friday 20 July: Bourg d’Oisans to Valence (169.5 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 13 profile A gentler day after three stages in the mountains and one for the sprinters to contest.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 14 Saturday 21 July: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Mende (188 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 14 profile A stage with four categorised climbs including a sharp climb to Mende which will hurt tired legs.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 15 Sunday 22 July: Millau to Carcassonne (181.5 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 15 profile Another undulating day ripe for a breakaway.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 16 Tuesday 24 July: Carcassonne to Bagnères-de-Luchon (218 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 16 profile A long and draining stage with three ascents in the second half to bring out the best in the elite climbers.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 17 Wednesday 25 July: Bagnères-de-Luchon to Saint-Lary-Soulan (65 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 17 profile The shortest regular stage for 30 years and yet a brutal one, finishing on the steep Col du Portet, which could prove decisive.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 18 Thursday 26 July: Trie-sur-Baïse to Pau (171 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 18 profile Some respite for the climbers after three draining days, and another chance for the sprinters to shine.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 19 Friday 27 July: Lourdes to Laruns (200.5 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 19 profile The famous Aspin-Tourmalet combination in the middle of this stage makes it perfect for a yellow jersey assault.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 20 Saturday 28 July: Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle to Espelette (individual time trial, 31 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 20 profile A time trial with enough short climbs – including the final Col du Pinodieta – to upset the traditional time triallists.
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 21 Sunday 29 July: Houilles to Paris (116 km)
Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 21 profile The procession into the Champs-Elysees for those that have made it, and one final opportunity for the power riders.
There have been four stages like this one in Tour history; every single one was won by a winner of the Paris-Roubaix classic. That is a promising omen for Peter Sagan , who won in Roubaix this year, and whose combination of exceptional bike handling and sprinting power make him the man to beat.
Stage nine begins in Arras and ends in Roubaix (letour.fr) For most riders – especially GC contenders like Chris Froome , Richie Porte and Geraint Thomas – this is a day to survive, nothing more. The diminutive climbers, and particularly those from beyond Europe like Nairo Quintana , are most likely to suffer here on unfamiliar terrain but luck will play its part too. Those that stay close to the front have the best chance of avoiding trouble.
Follow the latest from stage nine below...
Please allow a moment for the graphic to load...
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies