Key events17m agoPreamblePreambleThere is an old Tour de France adage that riders never quite know how their legs will feel after a rest day. Some might feel relatively refreshed and ready to tackle seven categorised climbs on today’s 166.6km route. But after a punishing and fiendishly hot first week, others will merely be looking to survive: especially the sprinters, whose reward for grinding through 3,800m of vertical ascent today is a flat stage tomorrow.The mountainous terrain between Aurillac and Le Lioran on stage 10 looks ripe for a strong group of climbers to escape the peloton’s clutches and battle for victory. But Tadej Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates-XRG were shutting down attacks down left, right and centre in the first week, aiming to keep things under close control for the race leader and his lieutenant, Isaac del Toro.The intermediate sprint comes after just 25.5km of racing, so expect Lidl-Trek to control early on and set up Mads Pedersen for maximum green jersey points at Lacapelle-del-Fraisse. After that, if an escape group that Pogacar deems acceptable gets up the road, perhaps we will see a breakaway being given a relatively long leash. But if the race refuses to settle down before the categorised climbs begin – the top of the category-three Côte de Pailherols arrives after 68km – it promises to be another gruelling day for all concerned.Neutralised start: 1pm CET/12pm BST