the canadian Michael Woods (Israel Premier Tech) joined the legend ofthe Tour de France as the sole winner of the ninth stage, disputed between Saint Léonard de Noblat and the Puy de Dôme, 182.4 km long, in which Tadej Pogakar came within 17 seconds of the lead in Jonas Vingegaard.
the veteran woods (Toronto, 36 years old), former middle-distance runner, made the getaway of the day count to mark his name in a place of legend. The Canadian took off to the top of the Puy de Dome after catching the American from Movistar 500 meters from the finish line Matteo Jorgensonwho was already savoring the triumph, but the ramps of the Auvergne volcano came upon him.
woods raised his arms at the summit that Coppi premiered in 1952 with 28 seconds ahead of the Frenchman Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies) and 35 compared to the Slovenian Mohoric and Jorgenson. In tenth place came the Spanish David de la Cruz (Astana), at 2.34.
The group of favourites, very far from the break all day, cheered up with 1.5 km to go with the Pogacar’s only attack, who managed to cut 8 seconds to Vingegaard, who failed to weld himself to the wheel of his great rival. The Spanish Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos) saved the day one minute away pogacarbut he led the Australian by 14 seconds Jai Hindley in the fight for third place on the podium.
There were no damages in the expected appointment with the Puy de Domejust another message from Pogacar to Vingegaard, who has already released a couple of times. The Dane kept the yellow jersey They are 17 seconds ahead of the Slovenian and 2.40 over Hindley. Carlos Rodríguez is still among the best, 1.42 minutes from the third step of the podium.
Rendezvous in style Massif Central in a day full of anniversaries and tributes. Yeah Luis Ocana presided over the memory in Mont de Marsanat the exit of Saint Leonard de Noblat the image of his most illustrious neighbor reigned, Raymond Poulidor, the “eternal runner-up” with 8 podiums in the Tour, but none in yellow. By the way, he joined in the acts his grandson, none other than Mathieu van der Poel, who received a bicycle from his grandfather.
A day marked in red for the battle of Puy de Dome, appointment of favorites and scenario for each one to explain their intentions. Up to the outskirts of the mythical volcano, a group of 14 riders braved the heat to go on the run and achieve unprecedented income in this Tour, greater than 10-15 minutes. In the expedition two Spaniards, Gorka Izagirre and David de la Cruz.
It had been 35 years since the Tour reached the top of the Puy de Domea legendary place of cycling and nature, UNESCO World Heritage who presides over a chain of 80 volcanoes in the Auvergne Natural Park. A sacred volcano that is ascended in a spiral, banned on this occasion for the public, where they were quoted Pogacar and Vingegaard to go down in history at the summit that he inaugurated in 1952 Fausto Copi.
A very Spanish volcano due to the triumphs of bahamontes, who this Sunday turned 95 years old, Julio Jimenez in 1964, Luis Ocana in 1971 and 1973 and angel stream in 1983. In this reunion with the Puy de Dôme, the Tour offered a page for history, a photo to remember, like that of Anquetil and Poulidor side by side at the top.
The “closed-door” promotion for the public, of special category, instills respect with 13.3km at 7.7 percentwith some terrible last 4 km to 10.
The escape was altered 47 km from the finish line with the attack of the American from Movistar Matteo Jorgenson. The Californian began to climb alone and held out until the 500-meter sign at the finish line, when mercilessly passed Michael Woods, Fast in his day as a middle-distance runner (3.42 in 1.500) and relentless in the toughest area of the Puy de Dôme.
While woods, winner of two stages in the Vuelta and bronze in the 2018 World Cup that he won Alejandro Valverde, enjoyed a historic victory, in the group of favorites the Jumbo Visma tried to take control with the “train” of Kilderman, Kuus, and VanAert. pogacar He was on the wheel, calm, waiting for his moment.
The numerical superiority of the Jumbo was not an obstacle for the Slovenian to take the offensive initiative again. At a 12 percent stretch he changed his pace and walked away. Vingegaard did not prime and carlos rodriguez he just went up at his pace.
There was no space or forces for great destruction. The Puy de Dôme did not swallow anyone. A matter of handfuls of seconds, but little by little Pogacar approaches Vingegaard, almost silent, but he’s already within range. The form of the Slovenian is trading upwards. And while, carlos rodriguez it is allowed to continue dreaming of the podium. There is a lot of Tour left and many emotions. At the Puy de Dôme they missed each other.
The Tour de France peloton will enjoy the first rest day this monday in the environment of Clermont Ferrand. A day to regain strength after the Pyrenean stages and the transition to the Massif Central, where the Puy de Dôme added a large dose of interest on the way to the Alps.
(With information from EFE)
