The Slovenians take it all
Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) moved up to the first place in the general classification after finishing second on stage nine. Another Slovenian, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), won the stage in a five-up sprint to the finish line. Adam Yates was dropped on the final climb of the Col de Marie Blanque and finished a minute behind and relegated the yellow jersey.
“I did everything I could,” Yates admitted. “I said from the very beginning, even before the Tour started, that I wasn’t at 100 per cent. And I think we did well. We hung on for as long as we could. And yeah, there are a couple of guys going better than me. So I did the best I could and I think we can be proud.”
Roglič now leads the race by 21 seconds over Egan Bernal. The Ineos rider was happy after his form was questioned in the opening stages of the race. He worked well with Roglič and is already looking forward to the Alps.
“I am very satisfied, above all, due to the sensations. We’ll say it’s a good result for me,” Bernal said. “I might have lost a few seconds in time bonuses but I stay content from the sensations during the stage. I felt a lot better on the climb. I could enjoy things a little more on the bike, and this gives me a little more confidence in the next phase of the Tour.”
Do you think he can beat Roglič? Let us know!
Stage nine results
1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) – 3:55:17
2. Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma)
3. Marc Hirschi (Sunweb)
4. Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers)
5. Mikel Landa (Bahrain-McLaren)
6. Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) + 11s
7. Guillaume Martin (Cofidis)
8. Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale)
9. Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo)
10. Rigoberto Urán (EF Pro Cycling)
15. Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) + 54s
General classification
1. Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) – 38:40:01
2. Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) + 21s
3. Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) + 28s
4. Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) + 30s
5. Nairo Quintana (Arkéa-Samsic) + 32s
6. Rigoberto Urán (EF Pro Cycling)
7. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) + 44s
8. Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) + 1:02
9. Miguel Ángel López (Astana) + 1:15
10. Mikel Landa (Bahrain-McLaren) + 1:42
