Our 14 Favorite Photos From Stage 9

Take a few moments to appreciate the intensity, emotion and excitement each stage of the Tour de France brings with Road Bike Action’s daily photo galleries.

Slovenians took the laurels on the Tour de France on Sunday as rookie Tadej Pogacar won a Pyrenean mountain slog and his compatriot Primoz Roglic grabbed the overall lead. Overnight leader Adam Yates of Britain made a valiant effort to keep hold of the yellow jersey but fell gradually away on the final climb as the gradient hit 12 percent. Pre-Tour favorite Roglic has been the form man this season and after Sunday’s second place finish leads defending champion Ineos leader Egan Bernal of Colombia by 21 seconds.

“Everbody dreams of wearing the yellow jersey one day in his life so first off I’m just happy how things are,” said Vuelta a Espana champion Roglic.

“It’s a fight for every second now and lots off things will happen to each of us on the road to Paris,” he said.

When asked if he worried that Bernal was breathing down his neck after Jumbo put the hammer down for nine days, he shrugged.

“No-one could go as hard as Egan did there on the last climb,” he said.

“We can enjoy a well deserved rest day now,” he said.

 

Ahead of the Stage Team Ineos and Tour organizers honored deceased Ineos sports director Nico Portal. 

 

Marc Hirschi earned the most aggressive rider award with a solo effort that began more than 80km from the line. Unfortunately, Hirschi was caught in the final 5km of the stage.

 

Jumbo Visma did most of the pace making, even Wout Van Aert, winner of two stages already, put in work for the team.

 

 

On the final climb, time gaps grew between the yellow jersey of Adam Yates and a group of overall contenders up the road.

 

 

 

Tour rookie Tadej Pogacar took the stage win ahead of Primoz Roglic and Marc Hirschi.

Pogacar earned his first stage win as Roglic claimed the yellow jersey ahead of tomorrow’s rest day.

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RBA/AFP Photos: Bettini