[6] Three of the favourites for the final classification took the podium places, benefiting from improving weather after Iván Gutiérrez had held the lead for nearly an hour.

It saw very gentle undulation until the fairly steep descent from the category four Côte de Montcharvot, 100 km (62 mi) from the finish.

David Millar attempted a late escape, but he was overhauled by the sprinters, including stage winner Angelo Furlan.

[16][17] 10 June 2009 – Bourg-lès-Valence to Valence, 42.4 km (26.3 mi) (ITT)[5] The second individual time trial is very similar to the first in profile, featuring only a single fourth-category climb.

[24] Sylwester Szmyd and Alejandro Valverde managed to break away on the ascent of Mount Ventoux, and worked to gain over a minute lead to Haimar Zubeldia.

[29] Fourteen men formed a breakaway early in the stage, and Pierrick Fédrigo, Jurgen Van de Walle, Stéphane Goubert and Juan Manuel Gárate broke free of the lead group on the ascent on Col d'Izoard.