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12:00:40 - Welcome To The Live Coverage Of Stage Nine

The Tour exits the Pyrenees today but not before taking in one of the mythical climbs; the imposing 2,115m high Col du Toumalet which was at the 90km mark of the 160.5km stage from St-Gaudens to Tarbes in the foothills of the mountain range. Before the ‘hors category’ ascent, the peloton had to climb the cat-one col d’Apsin with the summit at the 60.5km mark. The three intermediate sprints were in Sarrancolin (41.5km), Lau-Balagnas (125.5km) and Lourdes (139km).

The sun is shining in the south of France and the temperature before the start is in the high 20s (Celsius).

Live coverage of the ninth stage will commence shortly.

12:10:01 - Luis Leon Sanchez – “I can be very fast in the sprint…”

The winner of yesterday’s stage, Luis Leon Sanchez, attacked the peloton on the descent of the Port d’Envalira and put himself in the lead group at the 73km mark. The group of nine was whittled down to four by the time they arrived in St-Girons to contest the stage. He offered his appraisal of the race after the stage.

“It seems that the 11th of July is really a good date for me as I won my first stage in the Tour exactly one year ago in Aurillac,” said the rider from Caisse d’Epargne who is now ranked 11th overall.

“The first week of this 96th edition of the Tour has not been a good one for me because I still had to find the right rhythm but I am very happy because I have been able to win a stage I planned to win beforehand. Before the Route du Sud I came here to see the course and in particular the Col de l’Agnes. I knew that if I was able to go with the right breakaway this stage was the ideal one for me.

“Very logically Efimkin, who remained the entire day in the wheels, had to attack before the sprint because he is not fast at all. I asked Casar and Astarloza to cooperate to catch him an from then on I knew I could reckon on the fact I can be very fast in the sprint.”

12:20:38 - Peloton Lined Up In St-Gaudens

The riders in the prize jersey are currently at the head of the peloton as it awaits the call to start rolling in the neutral zone at the start of stage nine.

12:24:51 - Neutral Zone: 4.5km

The peloton has started rolling through the 4.5km neutral zone. The bunch began moving at 12.25pm. The official start is expected to be at around 12.35pm.

12:25:56 - Prize Classification Review: Part 01 – Yellow Jersey

Rinaldo Nocentini, the 31-year-old AG2R rider from Montevarchi, will spend his second day in the lead of the general classification. There was no change to the top 10 overall alter the eighth stage but the winner in St-Girons, Luis Leon Sanchez (GCE) moved up the rankings from 24th to 11th. The Spaniard is now the official leader of his team after the abandonment of the 2006 Tour winner Oscar Pereiro. “I have very bad sensations since the Tour started,” said Pereiro at the end of the day. “It was no use to go on like that and I prefer to concentrate on my next objectives which should be the Vuelta a Espana.”

Nocentini’s advantage over the Astana riders ranked second, third and fourth – Contador, Armstrong and Leipheimer, respectively – is six seconds, eight seconds and 39 seconds.

12:29:52 - Prize Classification Review: Part 02 – Polka-Dot Jersey

Today a second Cofidis rider will wear the polka-dot jersey in this year’s Tour de France. The first was Stephane Auge (for a day in stage seven) and now Christophe Kern has the lead in the climbing classification. He has 59 points, five more than Egoi Martinez (EUS) and 10 more than yesterday’s King of the Mountains, the stage winner in Andorra, Brice Feillu (AGR).

There are two more Frenchmen in the top five of this mountains competition: Christophe Riblon (ALM) with 46pts and yesterday’s runner-up Sandy Casar (FDJ) with 43pts.

12:32:04 - Racing In Stage Nine

Christian Prudhomme has waved the flag to signal the official start of stage nine. Immediately there has been an attack from a Lampre rider. The stage began at 12.33pm. There are 172 riders in the peloton after eight stages.

12:34:46 - Vansummeren Trying To Establish Escape

Johan Vansummeren (SIL) is at the front of the race along with three others who have attacked at the moment the ninth stage began.

12:35:46 - Prize Classification Review: Part 03 – Green Jersey

Today is the first time in a week that a rider other than Mark Cavendish (THR) will wear the green jersey. The winner of stages two and three slipped down to second in the points classification because Thor Hushovd (CTT) took first place at the first two intermediate sprints in stage eight. The Norwegian now has 117 points, 11 more than the Brit. In third is Cavendish’ former team-mate Gerald Ciolek (MRM) with 66pts.

“Tomorrow I think I’ll have to save some of my energy,” said Hushovd after the eighth stage, “because I went really deep today.”

12:36:12 - Rapid Start To Stage Nine...

The peloton is racing at a very fast pace early today. The Silence-Lotto team seems intent on putting someone in the escape. Vansummeren and Lang have been amongst the riders trying to break away. The bunch is now at the 3km mark.

12:37:50 - Prize Classification Review: Part 04 – White Jersey

Tony Martin (THR) continues to lead the youth classification. He has an advantage of 49” on one of the aggressors on the col d’Agnes in stage eight, Andy Schleck. The Saxo Bank rider who won the white jersey last year is ninth overall but the German sensation from Columbia-HTC is in seventh place of the general classification.

The Liquigas pair, Vicenzo Nibali and Roman Kreuziger, are ranked third and fourth 54” and 1’40” behind, respectively.

12:38:21 - 10 In Early Move

There are 10 riders ahead of two counter-attackers at the 4km mark. The gap to the peloton is only about 100m.

12:40:06 - 12 In Lead Group

Of the riders in the lead group we can confirm that Voigt (SAX) is present. So too is Fedrigo (BBO), Danny Pate (GRM) and at least one AG2R rider.

12:41:08 - Some Of The 12 Escapees

The riders in the escape group at the 6km mark include: Voigt (SAX), Fedrigo (BBO), Auge (COF), Riblon (ALM), Vaugrenard (FDJ), Righi (LAM). They are now at the 8.5km mark and have a lead of 15". All the names will be announced if the move gains over 30" on the peloton.

12:44:13 - Liquigas Miss The Move

There are riders from the Liquigas team at the head of the peloton. The Italian team doesn't have anyone in the lead group.

12:45:46 - Escape Over

Voigt (SAX), Pate (GRM), Haussler (CTT), Riblon (ALM), Auge (COF), Duque (COF), Devolder (QSI), Righi (LAM), Vaugrenard (FDJ)... were part of the move but they are about to be caught at the 11km mark.

12:47:40 - Popovych Attacks

Popovych is now in the lead of the stage. He has gone ahead and Pate of the Garmin team is nestled in on his wheel.

12:48:10 - Voigt Insists At 12km

Voigt, Fedrigo, Geschke, Auge, Duque, Vaugrenard, Righi, Devolder, Riblon, Tossato, Pate, Haussler are the men who got clear at the 3km mark. They are now at the 12km mark. The previous flash stating that Popovych was in the lead was incorrect. Apologies.

12:50:25 - Pellizotti Into The Lead

Pellizotti has caught up with the lead group. There are now 13 with an advantage of 15" on the peloton.

12:51:53 - Fothen The Milram Representative

The Milram rider in the lead group is Markus Fothen. We'll post the full list of 13 in the next newsflash.

12:54:17 - The 13 Stage Leaders

Here is the list of those who escaped at the 3km mark: Haussler (CTT), Voigt (SAX), Pate (GRM), Riblon (ALM), Pellizotti (LIQ), Vaugrenard (FDJ), Auge (COF), Duque (COF), Righi (LAM), Fedrigo (BBO), Devolder (QSI), Fothen (MRM) and Geschke (SKS).

12:55:39 - Astana & Euskaltel Lead Peloton

There are two Euskaltel riders swapping off with several Astana riders at the front of the peloton which is now in Saint-Laurent-de-Neste (at the 18km mark).

12:57:17 - 13 Lead By 13"

The Astana and Euskaltel teams refuse to give the 13 escapees any leeway. The advantage has never grown beyond 15".

13:00:23 - Martinez Punctures

Egoi Martinez (EUS) has just received a new back wheel after a recent puncture. His team-mates have been setting the pace of the peloton (along with Astana).

13:02:54 - Ivanov Attacks

Sergeui Ivanov and Botcharov (KAT) have attacked the peloton.

13:03:40 - Front Group Splits

Jens Voigt has caused the front group to split. Pellizotti, Duque and Fedrigo have been able to follow the German.

13:04:14 - Armstrong Attacks

Armstrong has attacked the peloton around the 20km mark. He has been followed by Nocentini and now the acceleration has eased.

13:04:58 - Armstrong Causes A Call Of Truce

The move by Armstrong was a way for him to assert his authority. Now that 'The Boss' has shown his intentions, the pace of the peloton has eased.

13:06:08 - Four Lead Stage

Nine of the early escapees have been caught by the peloton at the 25km mark. Armstrong has retreated from the front of the bunch. There are now just four riders ahead of the peloton: Fedrigo (BBO), Pellizotti (LIQ), Duque (COF) and Voigt (SAX).

13:07:26 - Rojas Trying To Bridge

The four lead by 15" and now Rojas (GCE) is trying to bridge the gap to Voigt's quartet.

13:07:55 - Four Lead By 25"

At the 27km mark, the four stage leaders are 25" ahead of the peloton.

13:09:17 - Leaders Increase Their Advantage

Voigt's quartet is now 45" ahead of the peloton and it appears that this is to be the selection for a while. Katusha has three riders at the head of the bunch.

13:13:26 - Pellizotti Best Placed Of Lead Group

Of the four men in the lead of the stage, two have previously won a stage of the Tour de France (Voigt and Fedrigo) but it's Pellizotti who is the highest ranked on GC after eight stages. The Italian began today's stage in 55th place overall, 15'23" behind Nocentini.

The escapees are now 50" ahead of the peloton that's being led by riders from the AG2R team who have just chased down a move by Laurens Ten Dam (RAB).

13:18:00 - Lead Over A Minute

Voigt, Duque, Pellizotti and Fedrigo are now 1'05" ahead of the peloton.

13:19:04 - And So... The Selection Has Been Made

The AG2R team is at the front of the peloton. Their team-mate, the overall leader Rinaldo Nocentini, has just pulled over to answer the call of nature. The advantage of Voigt's group is 1'20" but this will be significantly more in the next few kilometers.

13:20:45 - Nocentini Rejoins Peloton

After his recent toilet stop, the yellow jersey has weaved his way through the convoy of cars following the race and is now back in the peloton.

13:22:51 - Leaders Near Sarrancolin

The four in the front of the stage are about to contest the first intermediate sprint (in Sarrancolin, at 41.5km).

13:23:58 - Results Of First Sprint

The points for the sprint in Sarrancolin were won by:

1. Leonardo Duque (COF) 6pts

2. Pierrick Fedrigo (BBO) 4pts

3. Jens Voigt (SAX) 2pts

13:25:25 - Lead Grows To 2'30"

Voigt's group leads the peloton by 2'30". In the last 10 minutes, the AG2R team has been at the front of the bunch for 5'45" (ie. they're doing the most work in the chase).

13:26:37 - Prize Classification Review: Part 05 – Team Rankings

Astana may have four riders in the top 10 overall but the the Kazakh-backed squad is no longer in the lead of the team classification. The team of Contador slipped down the rankings to second after stage eight when AG2R La Mondiale finished with three riders in the top 28: Efimkin (4th), Riblon (6th) and the reigning race leader Nocentini (28th).

AG2R now leads Astana by just three-seconds overall. In third place is Columbia-HTC which is 4’45” behind the French squad.

13:27:56 - Peloton 3'05" Behind

At the first sprint line, the peloton was 3'05" behind Voigt, Pellizotti, Fedrigo and Duque.

13:28:31 - 40km In Less Than 50 Minutes

The speed up to the end of the first hour has been rapid. The leaders reached the site of the first intermediate sprint (at 41.5km) in less than 50 minutes.

13:29:57 - Fedrigo: King Of The Mountains In June...

Pierrick Fedrigo had some good form at the start of June. He won the sixth stage of the one-week stage race, the Dauphine Libere. He beat Jurgen van den Walle and Stephane Goubert in the 106km stage from Gap to Briancon. He also won the polka-dot jersey in the French race: beating David Moncoutie and Juan Manuel Garate.

13:33:43 - Leaders On Col d'Aspin

The first ascent of the ninth stage is the col d'Aspin. The four leaders have just arrived at the base of this climb. It is 12.3km long with an average gradientof 6.4 percent. Fedrigo is currently setting the pace ahead of Voigt. The climb is ranked cat-one and it rises to 1,490m with the top at the 60.5km mark of today's stage.

13:35:17 - Fast Start: 48.4km/h!

The first hour of racing in stage nine covered 48.4km.

13:37:09 - Lead Up To 5'05"

Voigt, Fedrigo, Duque and Pellizotti are now 5'05" ahead of the peloton.

13:39:25 - Fedrigo: A Tour Stage Winner In Gap

When Fedrigo won his stage of the Tour de France, it was in Gap (in 2006). This was the start location of the stage that he won in this year's Dauphine Libere.

13:40:12 - Recent Winners Of Col d'Aspin

The Col d'Aspin has been a regular feature of the Tour de France. It was first part of the itinerary in 1910, as part of the original mountain stage.

The recent leaders over this cat-one climb are:

1990: Chiappucci

1991: Chiappucci

1994: Virenque

1995: Virenque

1997: Hervé

1998: Massi

1999: Piccoli

2001: Julich

2003: Chavanel

2004: Rasmussen

2006: Wegmann

2008: Lang

Chavanel, Wegmann and Lang are in the Tour this year.

13:44:58 - Ten Dam Attacks Peloton

Laurens Ten Dam (RAB) has attacked the peloton early on the col d'Aspin. There was no reaction to his move.

13:45:25 - Txurruka Now...

Txurruka (EUS) is the next man to attack the peloton. He is being pursued by Van den Broeck (SIL).

13:46:51 - Situation At 55.5km

With 5km to go in the climb, the situation was: Voigt, Fedrigo, Pellizotti and Duque were in the lead by 4'40" to Ten Dam (RAB), 4'50" to Txurruka (EUS), 4'55" to Van den Broeck (SIL), Pasamontes (GCE) and two other escapees. The peloton was at 5'00".

13:50:00 - Van den Broeck With Three Others

Paulinho (AST), Goubert (ALM) and Martinez (EUS) have caught Van den Broeck (SIL) and these three are about to catch Txurruka (EUS) and Ten Dam (RAB).

13:51:31 - Leaders 5km From Summit

The four leaders are now 5km from the top of the Col d'Aspin. As they pass that mark, the winner of stage two and three - Mark Cavendish - has been dropped by the peloton.

13:52:50 - Three In Lead

Duque (COF) has been dropped by the lead group.

13:54:17 - Seven Counter-Attackers...

Ten Dam (RAB), Martinez and Txurruka (EUS), van den Broeck (SIL), Goubert (ALM) and Paulinho (AST) have been joined by Karpets (KAT). This group is about 100m ahead of the yellow jersey's peloton.

13:57:12 - Goubert Not In Counter-Attack

Contrary to the previous newsflash, Goubert is no longer on the attack. We can report, however, that Efimkin is about to bridge the gap to the Txurruka/Karpets group.

13:58:36 - Moncoutie & Garate Attack

Garate (RAB) and Moncoutie (COF) are about to catch the Txurruka group.

14:00:08 - Duque At 55"

With 3km to climb, Duque (COF) is 55" behind Voigt's trio.

14:01:15 - Nocentini 3'55" Behind

The yellow jersey's peloton is currently 3'55" behind Voigt's trio which is now less than 3,000m from the top of the Col d'Aspin.

14:02:54 - The Nine Counter-Attackers...

The group of nine that is between Voigt, Pellizotti and Fedrigo and the peloton is:

Ten Dam (RAB), Martinez and Txurruka (EUS), van den Broeck (SIL), Goubert (ALM) and Paulinho (AST), Karpets (KAT), Garate (RAB) and Moncoutie (COF).

14:03:57 - Nocentini Leads Peloton

Currently it's Nocentini himself leading the peloton that's 3'55" behind Voigt's group.

14:05:33 - Eight In Counter-Attack...

Karpets (KAT) has been caught by the yellow jersey's peloton.

14:06:27 - Voeckler Attacks

Voeckler has attacked the peloton. He is now in pursuit of the counter-attacking group that's about 20" ahead of the yellow jersey.

14:07:42 - Three At Summit

The leading trio is over the top of the Col d'Aspin. The points were taken by:

1. Pellizotti (LIQ) 15pts

2. Fedrigo (BBO) 13pts

3. Voigt (SAX) 11pts

14:09:00 - Second Group 2'55" Behind

Duque is still hovering between the leaders and the Txurruka group which is about 2'55" behind.

14:09:42 - Duque Over Top

Duque is fourth at the summit. He was 1'50" behind Voigt.

14:10:38 - Results Of Col d'Aspin...

The points for the category-one col d'Aspin were won by:

1. Pellizotti (LIQ) 15pts

2. Fedrigo (BBO) 13pts

3. Voigt (SAX) 11pts

4. Duque COF) 9pts - at 1'50"

5. Martinez (EUS) 8pts - at 2'45"

6. Ten Dam (RAB) 7pts - at 2'50"

7. Van den Broeck (SIL) 6pts - at 2'55"

8. Garate (RAB) 5pts - at 3'05"

14:14:04 - Brice Feillu Attacks Peloton

On the descent, the winner of stage seven has attacked the yellow jersey's peloton. Brice Feillu has a lead of about 100m on Nocentini's group.

14:15:01 - Correction For Climbing Classification

Radio Tour has just corrected the results announced earlier. The points for the Col d'Aspin were won by:

1. Pellizotti (LIQ) 15pts

2. Fedrigo (BBO) 13pts

3. Voigt (SAX) 11pts

4. Duque COF) 9pts - at 1’50"

5. Martinez (EUS) 8pts - at 2’45"

6. Moncoutie (COF) 7pts - at 2’50"

7. Txurruka (EUS) 6pts - at 2’55"

8. Ten Dam (RAB) 5pts - at 3’05"

Apologies for the error.

14:18:04 - 29.5km Between Climbs

The peak of the Col d'Aspin and the Col du Tourmalet are 29.5km apart. The second climb is 17.1km long with an average gradient of 7.4 per cent. The summit is at the 90km mark of today's 160.5km stage.

14:19:18 - Trio Lead By 4'00"

As Voigt, Fedrigo and Pellizotti pass through the feedzone (at 73.5km), the peloton is 4'00" behind.

14:23:24 - Eight In Counter-Attack...

Van Den Broek (SIL), Paulinho (AST), Garate and Ten Dam (RAB), Martinez and Txurruka (EUS), Moncoutie (COF) and Voeckler are the men in pursuit of Duque who is hovering between the leading trio and the chase group after being dropped 4km from the top of the Col d'Aspin.

14:25:28 - Murayev Crashes

One of the Astana team, Dmitriy Murayev has crashed in the peloton.

14:28:47 - Six AG2R Lead Peloton

There are six AG2R riders at the head of the peloton as it passes the feedzone (73.5km) 4'15" behind Voigt's trio.

14:29:35 - Counter-Attack 2'50" Behind

Van Den Broeck, Paulinho, Martinez, Txurruka, Voeckler, Ten Dam, Garate and Moncoutie are 2'50" behind the leading trio.

14:30:47 - Bouet Attacks Peloton

Maxime Bouet (AGR) has attacked the yellow jersey's peloton on the approach to the base of the Col du Tourmalet.

14:31:22 - Pellizotti Doing The Most Work...

Of the three in the lead, the most work is being done by the Italian representative. Pellizotti has been at the front for 64 percent of the last 10 minutes (then Fedrigo - 21 percent, the Voigt - 15 percent).

14:32:34 - Bouet At 3'50"

At the base of the Tourmalet, Bouet is insisting with his attack. He is 3'50" behind Voigt's trio with 13km to climb. The peloton is at 4'20".

14:34:42 - Previous Nine Tourmalet "Winners"

Of the previous nine times that the Tourmalet has been part of the Tour de France, the first at the top has been a Frenchman on four occasions. The recent winners of this 2,115m high pass are:

1994: Virenque (FRA)

1995: Virenque (FRA)

1997: Pascual Rodriguez (ESP)

1998: Elli (ITA)

1999: Elli (ITA)

2001: Montgomery (SUI)

2003: Chavanel (FRA)

2006: De La Fuente (ESP)

2008: Di Grégorio (FRA)

14:36:27 - Bouet Catches Duque

Duque has been dropped from the counter-attack. He has just been caught and passed by Maxim Bouet.

14:38:04 - Eight 3'00" Behind

The eight counter-attackers are now 3'00" behind Fedrigo, Pellizotti and Voigt.

14:39:37 - Pellizotti Attacks

Pellizotti has attacked the lead group. Fedrigo is chasing after him but Voigt just maintains his tempo with 10km to climb.

14:40:13 - Duque Caught By Peloton

Duque has been reeled in by the peloton which is spitting a number of riders out the back including Cancellara and Hushovd.

14:41:09 - Five AG2R Leading Peloton

There are five riders from Nocentini's team at the front of the peloton which is currently 4'20" behind Pellizotti and Fedrigo.

14:41:49 - 20" To Voigt

With nine kilometers to climb, Pellizotti and Fedrigo are 20" ahead of Voigt.

14:43:23 - Eight 3'00" Behind

Moncouties group of eight is 9km from the top of the Tourmalet. They are 3'00" behind Pellizotti and Fedrigo.

14:45:56 - Through La Mongie Soon...

The ninth stage passes through La Mongie, a village on the Tourmalet ascent which has hosted a stage finish three times before. The winners of these stages were: Bernard Thevenet in 1970, Lance Armstrong (in 2002) and Ivan Basso (in 2004).

14:49:08 - Bouet 3'35" Behind

With 8km to climb, Bouet is 3'35" behind Fedrigo and Voigt.

14:49:39 - Voigt 1'00" Behind

With 8km to climb, Voigt (SAX) is 1'00" behind Fedrigo and Pellizotti.

14:51:08 - Leaders Near La Mongie

Pellizotti and Fedrigo are near La Mongie which is 4.5km from the top of the Tourmalet pass. They are 1'00" ahead of Voigt, 3'20" ahead of the group of eight - Van Den Broeck, Paulinho, Martinez, Txurruka, Voeckler, Ten Dam, Garate and Moncoutie - and Bouet is not far behind this group.

The peloton continues to be led by five AG2R riders and is about 4'35" behind.

14:56:23 - Bouet Joins Eight...

Bouet has caught up with the Voeckler group. There are now 13 men ahead of the yellow jersey: Fedrigo (BBO) and Pellizotti at the front, then Voigt (SAX), then this group of nine - Van Den Broeck (SIL), Paulinho (AST), Martinez and Txurruka (EUS), Voeckler (BBO), Ten Dam and Garate (RAB) and Moncoutie (COF).

14:57:48 - Nine 3'20" Behind

Pellizotti and Fedrigo are now passing through La Mongie, 3'20" ahead of the Voeckler group.

14:59:08 - Huge Crowds In La Mongie

Fedrigo and Pellizotti have just passed the site of Ivan Basso's stage win from 2004. There are huge crowds on the roadside in La Mongie which is at an altitude of 1,691m. The top of the Tourmalet his just under 500m higher and is 4.5km from the village that the leaders have just ridden through.

15:02:00 - Nine 3'00" Behind Pellizotti

The nine chasers are 3'00" behind Fedrigo and Pellizotti.

15:05:48 - Bouet Pays For His Chase

Bouet caught the eight-man Voeckler group with 6km to climb but he has just been dropped as the chase group passes through La Mongie.

15:06:29 - Peloton In La Mongie

The peloton is 4'40" behind Pellizotti and Fedrigo as it passes through La Mongie.

15:07:13 - Voigt Caught By Voeckler's Group

Voigt has just been caught by Van Den Broeck, Paulinho, Martinez, Txurruka, Voeckler, Ten Dam, Garate and Moncoutie.

15:07:39 - 1km To Climb

The two leaders are sharing the work evenly. Fedrigo and Pellizotti are now less than 1km from the top of the col du Tourmalet.

15:11:31 - 2'55" Between Leaders & Nine...

Van Den Broeck, Paulinho, Martinez, Txurruka, Voeckler, Ten Dam, Garate, Moncoutie and Voigt were 2'55" behind Pellizotti and Fedrigo with 3km to go to the top of the Tourmalet.

15:12:19 - Peloton At 4'45"

With 3km to climb, the peloton is 4'45" behind Pellizotti and Fedrigo.

15:13:00 - Pellizotti Leads Over Summit

The two leaders are over the top of the Tourmalet. Pellizotti collected the 40pts for first place.

15:15:48 - 70.5km To Finish...

There are 70.5km between the top of the Tourmalet and the finish in Tarbes.

15:17:46 - Chase Over Top

Garate has led the chase group over the top of the climb 3'05" behind Pellizotti.

15:18:58 - Ten Dam Crashes

Ten Dam has crashed early on the descent of the Tourmalet.

15:19:22 - Results Of Tourmalet

The points for the Tourmalet pass were won by:

1. Pellizotti (LIQ) 40pts

2. Fedrigo (BBO) 36pts

3. Garate (RAB) 32pts - at 3'05"

4. Voeckler (BBO) 28pts

5. Moncoutie (COF) 24pts

6. Van Den Broeck (SIL) 20pts

7. Martinez (EUS) 16pts

8. Paulinho (AST) 14pts

9. Ten Dam (RAB) 12pts

10. Txurruak (EUS) 10pts

Voigt was at 4'00". Bouet at 4'47". The peloton at 5'05".

15:21:40 - Peloton Climbs Slower Than Leaders

It took Pellizotti and Fedrigo 53'17" to climb the 171.km of the Tourmalet while the peloton covered the same distance in 54'05".

15:22:54 - Armstrong Leads Nocentini On Descent

Armstrong has gone ahead of Nocentini early on the descent of the Tourmalet. This peloton was 5'05" behind Pellizotti - the third-place finisher in the 2009 Giro d'Italia - at the top of the second climb in stage nine.

15:24:10 - No News On Ten Dam

It was reported earlier than Laurens Ten Dam crashed early on the descent of the Tourmalet but we have received no news since. (Apologies for the lack of information.)

15:25:47 - Voigt Caught By Yellow Jersey's Peloton

Voigt has just been caught by the yellow jersey's peloton. There are now seven riders in the group in pursuit of Fedrigo and Pellizotti. Ten Dam has crashed but that's all we know. We're not sure if he's back on his bike or still receiving medical treatment.

15:26:58 - Ten Dam Racing Again

Ten Dam is racing again after his crash. He is 3'25" behind Pellizotti and Fedrigo.

15:29:18 - Seven 2'55" Behind

The seven chasers - Van Den Broeck, Paulinho, Martinez, Txurruka, Voeckler, Garate and Moncoutie - are 2'55" behind the two stage leaders.

15:29:51 - Peloton At 4'50" Behind At 100km

At the 100km mark, the peloton including all the favorites for the title is 4'50" behind Fedrigo and Pellizotti.

15:30:29 - Leaders At 108km Mark

Pellizotti and Fedrigo are in Esquieze-Sere at the 108km mark. We have seen images of Ten Dam and can report that his Rabobank jersey is torn and filthy after his fall but he is riding and appears to be relatively okay considering what must have been a terrible fall.

15:34:06 - 50km To Go

There are 50km to go for the two stage leaders who have been on their own at the front of the stage since the 80km to go mark.

15:35:55 - Ten Dam Behind Peloton

Ten Dam is now 5'05" behind Pellizotti and Fedrigo; the peloton is at 4'50".

15:37:18 - Nocentini: World Championship Medalist Before Turning Pro

The rider in the lead of the general classification after eight stages is Rinaldo Nocentini. He has been a professional since the 1999 season when he was part of the Mapei-Quickstep team. In 1995, when the junior world championships were held in Forli in Italy, he finished third in the road race as an 18-year-old. The local team dominated Italian riders filled the podium: the winner was Valentina China, and the runner-up was Ivan Basso.

In 1998, Nocentini went one better in the under-23 category, earning the silver medal from the road race in Valkenburg, Netherlands. Once again he was beaten by Ivan Basso and in third place was another Italian, 2007 Giro d’Italia champion Danilo Di Luca.

15:38:33 - Correction: Ten Dam Ahead Of Peloton

Contrary to reports from Radio Tour, Ten Dam is 4'05" behind the two leaders (not 5'05" as reported earlier). The Rabobank rider is in pursuit of those he was riding with before his crash early on the descent of the Tourmalet.

15:39:56 - Ten Dam Waiting For Peloton

Ten Dam is now longer trying to catch the escapees. He has sat up and is about to be caught by the bunch.

15:40:45 - Columbia Lead Peloton

The Columbia team is now at the front of the peloton after swallowing up Ten Dam.

15:41:10 - Martinez The New King Of The Mountain

Egoi Martinez (EUS) has taken the lead of the climbing classification. He was fifth and seventh over the two climbs today, adding another 24 points to his tally.

15:43:12 - Caisse d'Epargne Lead Peloton

There are a number of teams taking responsibility for setting the pace of the peloton. Columbia spent a stint at the front but now three riders from Caisse d'Epargne are swapping off at the head of the bunch.

15:45:21 - Peloton Closing In On Counter-Attackers...

The seven counter-attackers are 3'55" behind Pellizotti and Fedrigo and the peloton is at 4'10" with 40km to go in the ninth stage.

15:48:07 - Two Lead Peloton

The peloton has caught up with Van Den Broeck, Paulinho, Martinez, Txurruka, Voeckler, Garate and Moncoutie. There are now just two men ahead of the yellow jersey's peloton which is 40km from the finish 3'40" behind.

15:50:09 - The Chasing Teams...

In the last 10 minutes, Caisse d'Epargne has spent 58 per cent of the time at the front of the peloton; Columbia 28 per cent; Rabobank 8 per cent and AG2R 6 per cent...

15:51:00 - Leaders Take Sprint Points

Fedrigo has taken the six points for the second intermediate sprint (at the 125.5km mark).

15:55:54 - Rabobank & Caisse d'Epargne

The Rabobank and Caisse d'Epargne teams must have faith in their sprinters Oscar Freire and Jose Rojas, respectively. These two teams are swapping off at the front of the peloton that's now 3'00" behind the two leaders.

15:57:52 - Results Of 2nd Sprint

The points for the intermediate sprint in Lau Balagnas were won by:

1. Pierrick Fedrigo (BBO) 6pts

2. Franco Pellizotti (LIQ) 4pts

3. Juan Manuel Garate (RAB) 2pts - at 3'00".

15:58:44 - 30km To Go

Fedrigo and Pellizotti have 30km to go. They are 2'45" ahead of the peloton that continues to be led by Caisse d'Epargne and Rabobank.

16:01:07 - Peloton At 2'35"

At the 129km mark, the peloton is 2'35" behind Pellizotti (LIQ) and Fedrigo (BBO).

16:03:43 - New King Of The Mountains

There will be a third rider in the polka-dot jersey in three days. Kern has lost his lead in the mountains classification. He has slipped to second, behind Egoi Martinez (EUS). The top of this category is now:

1st - Martinez (EUS) with 78pts

2nd - Kern (COF) with 59pts

3rd - Pellizotti (LIQ) with 55pts.

16:05:29 - Leaders 5km From Third Intermediate Sprint

Fedrigo and Pellizotti are now at the 26km mark. They have 5km to ride before contesting the third intermediate sprint of the ninth stage. Their lead on the peloton is down to 2'30".

16:06:18 - 25km To Go For Peloton

The peloton is less than 25km from the finish. It is 2'30" behind Pellizotti and Fedrigo.

16:12:05 - Fedrigo Leads Over Line In Lourdes

Once again Fedrigo has led Pellizotti over the intermediate sprint line. This time it was in Lourdes. We await the peloton's arrival before posting the complete results.

16:13:28 - 20km To Go

The two stage leaders are in the final 20km of the stage. They have a lead of 2'30" on the peloton that's led by Rabobank and Caisse d'Epargne.

16:14:14 - Results Of Third Intermediate Sprint

The points for the intermediate sprint in Lourdes (139km) were won by:

1. Pierrick Fedrigo (BBO) 6pts

2. Franco Pellizotti (LIQ) 4pts

3. Jose Ivan Gutierrez (GCE) 2pts - at 2'30"

16:15:40 - Twists In The Final Kilometer Today

Just after the 1km to go banner, there is a right turn in Tarbes and the road narrows from about 10 meters wide to about half just after the turn. Then, just after the 250m to go mark, there is a 90 degree right turn leading to the finish.

If this stage ends with a bunch finish, the riders will need to exercise a little caution.

16:19:50 - Youngest Rider Leading Peloton

Rigoberto Uran (GCE) is a the front of the bunch. He is swapping turns with Juan Manuel Garate (RAB). The peloton is now 2'05" behind the two stage leaders.

16:21:02 - Coming Back Together...

The peloton is closing in on the two stage leaders. Caisse d'Epagne and Rabobank have done all the work at the head of the bunch that is now 1'50" behind Pellizotti and Fedrigo with 15km to go.

16:23:04 - Lead Down to 1'30"

With the peloton at the 148km mark, it is 1'30" behind the two stage leaders. The bunch is taking back about five seconds per kilometer at the current pace.

16:26:40 - 10km To Go

Fedrigo and Pellizotti are now less than 10km from the finish. Fedrigo was part of the attack that broke free at the 3km mark; Pellizotti bridged to the escape after about 8km of racing.

16:27:54 - About 60 In Peloton

Neither Cavendish nor Hushovd are present in the group of about 60 riders that is 1'15" behind Fedrigo and Pellizotti with 10km to go.

16:28:41 - Rojas Fifth Yesterday...

The Caisse d'Epargne sprinter Jose Joaquim Rojas was fifth in the stage to St-Girons yesterday. He led home the peloton in the stage from Andorra. Rojas was also second in the stage to Barcelona. Currently his colleagues are doing the most work at the head of the peloton and they're looking for a second stage victory in two days...

16:30:32 - Sorry Franco & Pierrick... 55" Only

The two stage leaders are losing time quickly. The bunch is now around 6km from the finish and is 55" behind Pellizotti and Fedrigo.

16:31:50 - 5km To Go

The escapees are holding on to the lead by the skin of their teeth. They are 5km from the finish with a lead of 45".

16:33:27 - Andy Schleck Punctures!

With 4.8km to go, Andy Schleck has punctured.

16:34:37 - 4km To Go

The peloton is now 40" behind with 4km to go. Three Saxo Bank riders have dropped back to help Andy Schleck after his puncture.

16:35:43 - Andy Schleck Returns To Peloton

Andy Schleck has done the chase of his life. He has already returned to the peloton after a puncture just after the 5km to go sign.

16:36:34 - The Escapees Will Win The Day

With 2km to go, Pellizotti and Fedrigo can start to consider the stage win. They have a lead of 40".

16:37:01 - Fedrigo Leading

Fedrigo is leading for the second-last kilometer. Pellizotti is right on his wheel and these two are likely to battle it out for stage honors. They have a lead of 40" on the peloton that is now being led by a mix of Caisse d'Epargne, Liquigas and Rabobank riders.

16:38:12 - 1km To Go...

Fedrigo still leads the stage. Pellizotti has not done a turn for over a kilometer. One of these riders is going to win the stage in Tarbes. They have been at the front of the stage for over 150km.

16:38:54 - Fedrigo Takes Another Win!

Fedrigo has won his second Tour de France stage. He sprinted past Pellizotti in the final 50m after the Italian attacked him with 350m to go.

16:40:11 - Freire Leads Peloton Home

Freire has led the peloton home about 35" behind Fedrigo.

16:40:39 - Fedrigo Gives Bbox It's Second Stage Win This Year

Fedrigo took the lead with 2,500m to go and remained ahead of Pellizotti until the Italian attacked with 350m to go. Pellizotti led out of the final turn (with 240m to go) but Fedrigo muscled his way into the lead in the final 50 meters to take the second victory for his team in this year's Tour.

16:42:03 - The Top 10 In Stage Nine

The Bbox Bouygues Telecom team has earned its second stage victory in the 2009 Tour. The top 10 in the ninth stage is:

1. Pierrick Fedrigo (FRA) BBO - 160.5km in 4h05'31" (39.223km/h)

2. Franco Pellizotti (ITA) LIQ at same time

3. Oscar Freire (ESP) RAB at 34"

4. Sergeuei Ivanov (RUS) KAT at 34"

5. Peter Velits (SVK) MRM at 34"

6. Jose Joaquim Rojas (ESP) GCE at 34"

7. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) SIL at 34"

8. Geoffroy Lequatre (FRA) AGR at 34"

9. Alessandro Ballan (ITA) LAM at 34"

10. Nicolas Roche (IRL) ALM at 34"