In a thrilling display of endurance and strategy, French cyclist Anthony Turgis clinched victory in the ninth stage of this year's Tour de France, navigating the challenging gravel roads with finesse.
Tadej Pogacar, demonstrating his signature aggressive style, launched multiple attacks against the two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard. Despite Pogacar's relentless efforts, Vingegaard remained shielded by his Visma-Lease a Bike teammate, maintaining his position in the race.
The 199-kilometer stage saw Turgis emerge victorious after a perfectly timed sprint from the breakaway group, securing France's third win of the edition. Pogacar, who retained the yellow jersey, highlighted his determination by critiquing his team's conservative tactics, aiming for a historic Giro d'Italia/Tour de France double.
As the riders approached the first rest day, Pogacar led Evenepoel by 33 seconds, with Vingegaard and Roglic trailing closely. The stage was marked by strategic gravel sections that tested the riders' resilience and teamwork.
Turgis's triumph was celebrated as a significant achievement for his TotalEnergies team, marking their first stage win since 2017. Reflecting on his victory, Turgis expressed his joy and perseverance, emphasizing the long journey to securing a major win.
Reference(s):
Pogacar on the attack again as Frenchman Turgis wins gravel Tour stage
cgtn.com
