All five climbs, four of which were categorized into first class, delivered the wings as Team Saxo-Tinkoff and Movistar fractured the field emphatically on today’s 168.5 km long ninth stage between Saint-Girons to Bagneres de Bigorre.
The first great rider Richie Porte (Sky) fell early from the stage while a breakaway group tried to get free from the field. Halfway through the stage leading rider, Chris Froome (Sky) was isolated and without the help in the big favorite group with Alberto Contador, while Movistar controlled the pace.
At the foot of the last 9 kilometer long climb was only Romain Bardet (General) in the lead. Movistar set a killing pace behind, and soon engulfed Bardet who dropped off. Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp) and Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) attacked with five kilometers to the top and quickly got away while Alberto Contador followed Chris Froome’s (Sky) accelerations as Nairo Quintana (Movistar) on several occasions tried to run away.
Fuglsang and Martin reached the top first. Roman Kreuziger controlled the road in the lead group and led surely his captain over the mountain pass. From here it was a thrilling chase among the favorites. The breakaway reached the finish line, where Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp) was the strongest.
Contador and Kreuziger joined the group of favorites: “It ended up being a good stage for us. We showed that the race is far from over and that we, along with Movistar probably have the strongest teams. We isolated Froome. Alberto was also clearly better off today, and with Roman (Kreuziger) was he a great tandem in the group. The result of today’s stage is that we climb up in the standings with both Alberto and Roman, and simultaneously giving a taste to see a leading rider alone on a mountain stage as today. There are still many mountains and we look forward to racing them with this stage in mind,” said director, Fabrizio Guidi. Unfortunately, the team had to say goodbye to Benjamin Noval, who abandoned the race shortly after beginning of the stage. The Spaniard tore the ligament of the index finger during the team time trial five days ago. Tomorrow’s a rest day.
