Cycling: The ninth stage of the Tour de France went to Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac). In an exciting race, the Colombian prevailed in front of Warren Barguil (Sunweb), who was already celebrating his supposed victory after crossing the finish line. Chris Froome (Sky) finished at the same time alongside Romain Bardet (Ag2r) and Fabio Aru. However, the day was also marked by many falls and assignments. Among others, Geraint Thomas (Sky) and Richie Porte (BMC) will not be starting tomorrow.
Mountains, rain & falls - Geraint Thomas is out!
Queen's stage: Seven climbs, three of which belong to the first category. A total of 4.600 vertical meters had to be climbed today. As if these difficulties weren't enough, the weather didn't cooperate today. Light rain caused slippery road conditions throughout the day and, accordingly, numerous falls. Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo), Geraint Thomas (Sky) and Manuele Mori (UAE) had to retire on the 181,5 kilometers from Nantua to Chambéry. Rafal Majka (Bora-hansgrohe) and Jesus Herrada (Movistar) also fell down the Col de la Biche, but were able to continue. At this point things were already getting down to business, both at the front of the leading group and in the field of favourites.
Team Ag2r blows the big attack
A huge leading group formed early on today as well. It included, for example, Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac), Thibaut Pinot (FDJ), Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo), Thomas Voeckler (Direct Energie), Romain Barguil (Sunweb) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal). Classification drivers Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo), Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Romain Bardet (Ag2r), Fabio Aru (Astana) and Richie Porte (BMC) each sent two teammates into the escape group. Team Sky decided not to take this opportunity and chose a defensive tactic. As in ours Preview of the ninth stage described, tactics should actually play a decisive role today. The French team Ag2r decided to attack on the descent from the Col de la Biche – in both groups. This increase in pace caused a severely decimated peloton.
Warren Barguil fights his way into the mountain jersey
Ahead of captain Romain Bardet, Team Ag2r increased the pace once again up the Grand Colombier. The top favorites were able to follow, but many of their helpers could not. Around 20 men arrived together in the group of favorites. The leading group was also torn into several parts. At the front sat a duo consisting of Warren Barguil and Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal) away. The Frenchman from the German team Sunweb secured the maximum number of points and should therefore also be presented with the dotted jersey after the stage. On the descent, several riders caught up with the leading duo, including his teammates Simon Geschke and Michael Matthews, who promptly secured the intermediate sprint. The group of favorites also calmed down before the Mont du Chat, so that some helpers were able to reconnect.
Fabio Aru attacks Chris Froome below the belt
As expected, the leading group blew up the Mont du Chat. Warren Barguil was able to break away. In the group of favorites, Fabio Aru attacked first. Nairo Quintana immediately got on his rear wheel. Chris Froome suffered a defect at the same moment. In the replay, viewers could clearly see that Aru was driving behind Froome at the time of the defect. When the Briton raised his hand, Aru passed him and continued the attack. Since it was an unsportsmanlike action, the remaining favorites drove after Aru, but did not support him in the lead work. In this way, Chris Froome was able to reconnect with his teammates.
Numerous attacks up to the Mont du Chat
Now Fabio Aru sent his teammate Jakob Fuglsang up front. The Dane gradually collected the drivers of the former leading group. After attacks from Chris Froome and Richie Porte, Nairo Quintana, Louis Meintjes (UAE) and Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) were no longer able to follow. Fabio Aru, Daniel Martin and Romain Bardet also got into trouble, but – like Jakob Fuglsang, who was now caught again – managed to get back to the rear wheel of the yellow jersey. Due to the many attacks, Warren Barguil's lead melted away. At the top he had only ten seconds.
Richie Porte falls badly - Uran sprints to victory
Even though the Mont du Chat was already known from the Criterium du Dauphine, Porte fell on the descent. By the terrible Fall of Porte Martin was also carried away. The Irishman was able to continue the race. Porte, on the other hand, was carried away in a stretcher and taken to the nearest hospital. Meanwhile, Bardet attacked on the descent, was able to catch up with compatriot Barguil and let him stand. Behind them was the quintet of Barguil, Froome, Aru, Fuglsang and Uran. On the last eleven kilometers, the chasing group was able to catch up with the French. So it came to the sprint of these six riders. Rigoberto Uran passed Romain Bardet, but Warren Barguil suddenly appeared on his right. Barguil held out his arm and cried with happiness. But the finish photo showed us uranium as the winner! Martin and Quintana lost more than a minute, Contador more than four minutes.
Result of the 9th stage of the 2017 Tour de France
Tour Locations | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Rigoberto Urán | Colombia | Cannondale Drapac | 5:07:22 |
2. | Warren Barguil | France | Sunweb | st |
3. | Chris Froom | Great Britain | Sky | st |
4. | Romain Bardet | France | Ag2r | st |
5. | Fabio Arau | Italy | Astana | st |
6. | Jakob Fuglsang | Denmark | Astana | st |
7. | George Bennett | New Zealand | Cannondale Drapac | + 1: 15 |
8. | Mikel Landa | Spain | Sky | st |
9. | Daniel Martin | Ireland | Quick Step Floors | st |
10. | Nairo Quintana | Colombia | Movistar | st |
Overall ranking of the 2017 Tour de France after 9 of 21 stages
Tour Locations | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Chris Froome | Great Britain | Sky | 38:26:28 |
2. | Fabio Arau | Italy | Astana | + 0: 18 |
3. | Romain Bardet | France | Ag2r | + 0: 51 |
4. | Rigoberto Urán | Colombia | Cannondale Drapac | + 0: 55 |
5. | Jakob Fuglsang | Denmark | Astana | + 1: 37 |
6. | Daniel Martin | Ireland | Quick Step Floors | + 1: 44 |
7. | Simon yates | Great Britain | Orica Scott | + 2: 02 |
8. | Nairo Quintana | Colombia | Movistar | + 2: 13 |
9. | Mikel Landa | Spain | Sky | + 3: 06 |
10. | George Bennett | New Zealand | LottoNL Jumbo | + 3: 53 |
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