Stage nine of the Tour de France dished up a thrilling mix of drama and disappointment. While British fans hoped for Tom Pidcock of Ineos Grenadiers to snag another victory, it was a triumphant day for France.
French Sprinter Takes the Spoils
Anthony Turgis of Total Energies emerged victorious, securing his team’s first Tour stage win since 2017. The 30-year-old Frenchman beamed, “I’ve conquered every level, but a World Tour win was missing. But winning the Tour de France – that’s the ultimate achievement.”
Pidcock Shines on Rough Terrain, But…
Pidcock, known for his prowess on tough terrain, impressed throughout the stage. He joined the breakaway group and pushed ahead with teammate Ben Healy. However, the day’s sunshine came with a harsh side – dust clouds and brutal gravel sectors. Pidcock later admitted, with a hint of understatement, that the 14 sectors were “hard.”
Close But No Cigar for Ineos Grenadiers
Despite Pidcock’s strong showing, his lightweight strategy ultimately backfired. “This morning, I weighed less than 57 kilograms,” he revealed. “So, when you’re averaging 280 watts for four and a half hours, it takes a lot out of you.” This lack of energy proved costly in the final sprint, where a fresher Turgis dominated.
Pogacar Maintains Lead as Tensions Rise
Race leader Tadej Pogacar displayed an aggressive streak, countering a powerful attack from his closest rival, Remco Evenepoel, on a steep gravel climb. Pogacar even launched a solo attack himself, only to be reeled in. Meanwhile, Evenepoel’s attack, just 48 hours after winning the opening time trial, nearly backfired as he struggled to keep pace with Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard later in the stage. Evenepoel further stoked tensions by criticizing Vingegaard’s tactics, questioning his willingness to contribute to breakaways.
With the first rest day approaching, the peloton arrives at a crossroads. Pogacar remains in yellow, but tensions are high. The battle for Tour de France glory is far from over, and the upcoming stages promise more drama and excitement. Follow more on Lifetips.blog!
