Welcome to live coverage of stage nine of the Tour de France, a seemingly relentless undulating slog from Issoire to Saint-Flour that includes eight - yes, eight - lower category climbs.

Johnny Hoogerland is finishing the stage now in a group of riders more than 10 minutes off the pace. He'll be the new polka dot jersey - but he'll feel lucky to be alive after that controversial incident involving the French TV car.

Thor Hushovd waves to the crowd as he crosses the line 6:47 down on today's winner Sanchez.

Gilbert crosses the line to take fourth place, 3:59 behind Sanchez. He's followed by all the big GC names - the ones still in the race, that is.

Hushovd has been dropped by the pursuing peloton on the final climb. Gilbert is back on the front and will go for the green jersey points up for grabs.

But it will be a yellow jersey for Thomas Voeckler tonight - consolation for the French yet again missing out on a stage.

Sanchez is just too strong and drops the two Frenchmen for the win. Voeckler crosses the line 5 seconds back, then Casar takes third at 15.

Voeckler drops to the back, then attacks, but it's Sanchez who will take the win...

Who will go for it first? Still Voeckler from Casar and Sanchez...

Voeckler in the dancing position on the front, the others follow. The final hairpin bend approaches... this is very tense...

Under the banner for the leaders. Still in the same order - the lone Spaniard shadowing the two Frenchmen.

Voeckler leads them up the Cat.4 incline into Saint-Flour. Casar on his wheel and then Sanchez.

The three leaders are onto the final climb of the day...

Sanchez could well go into second place tonight with this ride. He'll be the new team leader at Rabobank conisidering Gesink's form and injury.

Voeckler is gritting his teeth and licking his lips - he knows he's on the brink of something special.

Hoogerland is now 12 minutes back on the three leaders. An hour ago he was riding alongside them.

The three leaders are combining well on the front - in fact, their lead is growing. 4:45 now.

Garmin-Cervelo have given up the chase. They know the yellow jersey has been lost. It's now BMC on the front, with Leopard Trek tucked in just behind.

This is a massive 11km for Thomas Voeckler, who can go into the yellow jersey if he finishes 1:30 ahead of Hushovd today. The Frenchman will want the stage win too...

Gilbert is yet to get back on - he had caught the back of the peloton, but it had been split by the fast pace set by Garmin. That bike change was the last thing he needed.