Key events

4m ago Javier Romo gets reeled in by the yellow jersey group
2h ago Top four at the intermediate sprint
3h ago Stage 10 action gets underway
3h ago Neutralised rollout starts on stage 10
3h ago KOM classification: top 10 before stage 10
4h ago Points classification: top 10 before stage 10
4h ago General classification: top 10 before stage 10
4h ago Preamble

35km to go: Carapaz holds a 22-second lead.

36km to go: Vaughters comments on Carapaz during the broadcast: He is the most talented rider I have worked with. Richie can be hard to monitor at times as he prefers not to receive instructions and operates independently.

37.5km to go: Carapaz launches an attack and creates a gap over the pursuing group. He is very instinctive, says Vaughters, the EF Education-EasyPost manager who is providing commentary. I am unsure if this move will succeed, but it adds excitement compared to the usual pattern for the coming hour.

Javier Romo gets caught by the yellow jersey group

38km to go: A brave effort from the Movistar rider who spent time alone and earlier with his teammate Harold Tejada. Now the GC contenders will battle in the closing kilometres.

39km to go: Vaughters believes Pogacar will make his move on the steep Col de Pertus. Romo advantage shrinks to 11 seconds.

40km to go: Romo rises from the saddle once more to try and hold the gap, but his time at the front appears limited. Images show enthusiastic crowds on the upcoming Puy Mary - Pas de Peyrol climb.

40km to go: Romo lead now stands at just 18 seconds. Vingegaard stays close behind the UAE squad to shadow Pogacar. Seixas remains well placed with support riders.

42km to go: While I agree with Ryan, the notion of UAE delivering powerful attacks implies rivals could counter effectively, yet Pogacar individual strength and team dominance make that unlikely.

43km to go: If an exciting break does not develop for the stage win, I would prefer to see chaos, writes Ryan in an email. It becomes dull if UAE simply controls and protects the lead to the line, as Froome and the unnamed rider often did by building an advantage and defending it. UAE appears ready to attack aggressively and I welcome that approach.

45km to go: It represents a fine athletic performance from Romo, notes Vaughters, yet it will likely yield little result.

46km to go: Wellens works hard at the front of the yellow jersey group. Romo rises again on the descent toward the base of the Pas de Peyrol.

48km to go: Romo holds 43 seconds over the yellow jersey group. Will Pogacar accelerate on the Pas de Peyrol after the Cote de Murat or on the category-one Col de Pertus? I expect the first option.

49km to go: Robbie McEwen discussed lactate-carbohydrate gels as an emerging nutrition trend. I wonder which high-budget squad has secured the supply of these gels, emails Matthew. Vaughters noted on air the high carbohydrate intake riders now manage, highlighting Carapaz exceptional ability to process them.

50km to go: Romo advantage extends to 57 seconds in this impressive ride by the 27-year-old Movistar rider. Lenny Martinez from Bahrain-Victorious drops back for ice from the team cars.

52km to go: Tadej Pogacar appears poised to attack. Romo leads by 49 seconds over the yellow jersey group of 95 riders.

Pogacar earlier described his 2024 defeat by Vingegaard on Le Lioran as a nice stage that was good, longer and harder than today, though the finish should feel quite similar. When asked about seeking revenge on Vingegaard, he replied it is not about revenge but a fine stage if we can win today.

57km to go: Romo takes risks on the descent, running wide on a right turn and prompting a concerned call from commentator Kirby.

61km to go: Romo pushes hard downhill toward the fourth categorised climb, the Cote de Murat, which covers 5.2km at an average 5.2 percent. The category-one Pas de Peyrol, category-one Col de Pertus and category-three Col de Font de Cere remain ahead.

62.5km to go: Romo crosses the Col de Prat de Bouc summit. This marks a major effort from the rider born in Villafranca de los Caballeros who previously competed as a triathlete.

63km to go: We are now on the third categorised climb, the Col de Prat de Bouc: 3.1km long at an average 6.5 percent.

63.5km to go: In the chase group of three, Alex Baudin rises to increase the tempo, but the effort fails as the Pogacar group of 92 riders closes in.

64km to go: The gap to the yellow jersey group falls to 51 seconds. Pogacar rides in fifth position with intense focus.

66km to go: Debruyne, Baudin and V Paret-Peintre form the closest group to leader Romo. Healy has rejoined the yellow jersey group a minute behind the front. This appears set as a GC day given UAE control efforts.

69km to go: Romo collects five KOM points at the Col de la Griffoul summit and leads the chasers by 37 seconds. A group of 68 has been dropped by the main bunch and trails by 9 minutes 55 seconds, while the Merlier group sits 13 minutes 24 seconds back.

69km to go: Kevin Debruyne, emails Craig. No, it is Ramses Debruyne of Alpecin-Premier Tech.

70km to go: Sean Kelly response was revealing, emails Guy Hornsby. He avoids exaggeration, so his dislike of a place suggests it was truly difficult to ride. With these steady conditions it remains unclear how the undulating stage will unfold, yet another Pogacar surge and solo ride could occur given the two category-one climbs near the end and UAE pace-setting. It is possible but may not align with public preference. Pogacar is a generational talent in top form, yet dominant victories lack romance. It is not his fault, but a Ben Healy breakaway win would be welcome even if unlikely.

71km to go: About 1.5km remains to the Col de la Griffoul summit. Romo leads the chasers by 49 seconds. Wellens has set the pace for UAE further back and the gap is closing.

71km to go: The chase group includes Debruyne, Tejada, Baudin, V Paret-Peintre, Braz Afonso, Vervaeke, Plapp and Healy.

71km to go: Correction: Healy rides in a group of eight chasers behind solo leader Romo.

72km to go: Warren Barguil nearly collides with a team car and expresses his displeasure. Romo leads the bunch by 1 minute 56 seconds and faces an imminent catch by Ben Healy, who could claim the stage unless Pogacar intervenes as expected.

72km to go: What stood out during Fred Wright rest day? I enjoyed a Magnum with caramel that has two layers, says the Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling rider. The rest day passed quickly as they always do.

73km to go: Vervaeke and Healy have dropped Higuita.

74km to go: Romo attacks Tejada and the well-known pair splits apart.

74.5km to go: They are performing an outstanding job to keep the gap steady, says Kelly of the UAE Team Emirates riders at the peloton front. Nils Pollitt is one such rider and proves an absolute machine.