CHÂTEL LES PORTES DU SOLEIL, France — Bob Jungels cruised to a first Tour de France stage victory with a solo breakaway in the Alps, while two-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar retained the yellow jersey as the leader of the lap after the ninth stage.
Jungels, of AG2R Citroën, broke away with almost 65 kilometers to go on the 193-kilometre mountainous stage between Aigle, Switzerland, and the alpine center of Châtel les Portes du Soleil.
The Luxembourg cyclist had time to straighten up and stretch his arms before raising his fist, crossing the finish line 22 seconds before Jonathan Castroviejo and 26 seconds before Carlos Verona.
For the past year, Jungels has been plagued with back and head issues. He had missed the Tour de France and the Olympic Games in 2021 following an operation.
“It’s very special right now. After a few difficult years, a very difficult year last year, to win like that is my style of racing. This is my winning style. »
Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard sprinted to the finish line to gain three seconds over their overall rivals. The Slovenian is still 39 seconds ahead of Vingegaard, but widened the gap to 1:17 over 2018 winner Geraint Thomas.
“The team is very, very strong and each member continues to improve,” said Pogacar, of UAE Team Emirates. Today and over the past few days we have shown that we can control a race. I am very happy and proud. »
Jungels, Castroviejo and Verona were part of an early breakaway after the first of four climbs on the day’s schedule.
Jungels launched his decisive attack near the top of the penultimate climb, the Col des Mosses. Simon Geschke tried to attach to him, but Jungels dumped him on the descent.
With a lead of almost two minutes over the chasing group and more than three minutes over the peloton before the last climb, the Pas de Morgins, Jungels had just enough energy to win.
Quebecer Hugo Houle finished 38th, 7:37 behind the winner. His compatriots Antoine Duchesne, Michael Woods and Guillaume Boivin followed respectively in 95th, 131st and 158th place.
In the cumulative ranking, Houle is 33rd at 22:44 from Pogacar, while Woods, Duchesne and Boivin occupy the 49th, 127th and 148th places, respectively.
On Monday, cyclists will enjoy a day off. Tuesday, the 10th stage will be marked by the climb of four passes during the 148.1 kilometer route linking Morzine Les Portes Du Soleil to Megève.
The Tour de France will end on July 24 in Paris.
