Graham Watson

Bettini, 24, the reigning titlist of the Liege-Bastogne-Liege classic in Belgium, edged Geert Verheyen (Lotto) of Belgium by a half a bike length. Jose Angel Vidal (Kelme) of Spain was third.

Bettini's finishing time in the 181-kilometer Agen to Dax ninth stage was 4 hours, 29 minutes and 6 seconds. The stage's 40.356 kph finishing speed (approximately 25 mph) was the slowest stage of the Tour this year.

With most of the peloton intact, race leader Alberto Elli (Telekom) of Italy retained the leader's jersey he acquired in the sixth stage. Fabrice Gougot (Credit Agricole) is second, trailing by 12 seconds. Marc Wauters (Rabobank) of Belgium is third, 1:15 behind.

Fred Rodriguez, 26, of Emeryville, Calif., a teammate of Bettini and Tom Steels of Belgium who won two earlier stages, was the highest placed American in the stage, placing 38th in the main field.

Rodriguez, the reigning U.S. pro road titlist who placed fourth in the eighth stage, is 11th overall, trailing Elli by 4:46. Lance Armstrong (U.S. Postal Service) also finished in the main group and remained 16th overall, trailing by 5:54.

American Tyler Hamilton (USPS), who placed 13th overall last year in support of Armstrong, crashed with a few other riders after 126 kilometers. It was Hamilton's second crash of the tour, both minor. Hamilton, who was part of an earlier stage break, returned to his bike within 30 seconds after the pileup and finished with the en masse group.

Through the first nine stages, the riders have completed one individual time trial, one team time trial and seven countryside road races, some of which included small and easily negotiated climbs.

But the race complexion is sure to change Monday with the 205-kilometer Dax to Lourdes-Hautacam stage. The peloton will encounter a category 1 climb and two "hors categorie" or "beyond category" ascents. The final climb to the finish will cover 13.5 kilometers at a 7.9 percent grade.

The top 10 general classification riders include cyclists likely not in contention for the overall title. Instead, look for Armstrong, Fernando Escartin (Kelme) of Spain, Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) of Italy and Jan Ulrich (Telekom) of Germany, both former race winners, and perhaps American Bobby Julich (Mapei), who finish third overall two years ago, to make their presence known.