CYCLING – Frenchman Anthony Turgis emerged victorious from a long breakaway through the dust of gravel roads to claim the ninth stage of the Tour de France after a hectic day of racing, marked by relentless attacks yesterday.
Behind the breakaway, race leader Tadej Pogacar tried to set the race on fire as the fight between the main contenders raged but could not gain time on his main rivals for the yellow jersey.
Turgis, who rides for the Total Energies team, posted the biggest win of his career in a sprint, edging Tom Pidcock and Derek Gee in the Champagne city of Troyes. It was the third stage win by a French rider since the race started last week.
There was no major change in the overall standings, with Pogacar keeping his 33-second lead over Remco Evenepoel. Two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard remained in third place, 1:15 off the pace.
The tough stage took riders on a nearly 200-kilometre trek through 14 sections of so-called white roads – including six in the stage finale – that have become a trademark of Italy’s Strade Bianche.
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