Tour de France 2013: this week's key stages

Team Sky riders, including Chris Froome, third from right, in action during stage eight of the Tour de France. Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

After eight days of racing the peloton's legs will be begging for a breather. Instead they get a brute of a day in the Pyrenees with four, first category climbs along the 165km route. That said, there is a 30km descent to the finish so the leaders may end the stage together.

The 33km time trial is short but it still provides a chance for Chris Froome, who finished third in the London 2012 time trial, to take time out of his rivals.

The rest of next week will be for the sprinters. But that all changes on Sunday, when the peloton ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux, a relentless, unremitting, brutal slog along 20km of road. It is the longest climb on this year's Tour and it may yet decide it.

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France 0-2 Australia | Women's football match report

Australia forward Kyah Simon (right) and defender Alanna Kennedy fight to keep the ball during their victory over France Photograph: Alain Jocard/AFP

Australia's women's football team finished their European tour with a 2-0 win over a highly-fancied French side in Angers, France on Saturday.

Two stunning strikes from Brisbane Roar duo Tameka Butt and Katrina Gorry secured the Matilda's victory over the world No6 team in the friendly match at Stade Jean-Bouin.

Despite being ranked only four places behind France, Australia were considered heavy outsiders against a team that had finished fourth at the last FIFA Women's World Cup and Olympics.

But while the French appeared strong in the opening stages the Matildas' resolute defence soon nullified them.

Australia took the lead in the 35th minute through Butt who hit a brilliant volley into the top right corner of the net.

Gorry and Butt also proved crucial in defence, both clearing the ball off the line within moments of each other as the French ramped up their attack in the second half.

France were given a perfect opportunity to equalise just shy of the hour mark when they were awarded a spot-kick.

However, a brilliant diving save from goalkeeper Lydia Williams, who was brought on by Matildas coach Hesterine de Reus as a second-half substitute for Brianna Davey, denied France's Camille Abily.

Against the run of play, Australia doubled their advantage in the 70th minute with a powerful right-footed strike from Gorry.

After disappointing losses to the Netherlands (3-1) and Dutch club Ado den Haag (1-0) the Matildas managed to end the tour on a winning note.

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