Sunday’s gravel-strewn Stage 9 of the Tour de France delivered edge-of-the-saddle drama as Tadej Pogacar unleashed fiery attacks while French cyclist Anthony Turgis snatched a historic win.
Pogacar, the Slovenian phenom, turned the race into a high-stakes chess match, repeatedly challenging rivals Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel on treacherous dirt roads. Despite his relentless moves, the UAE Emirates star’s bold tactics were matched by Vingegaard’s defensive teamwork.
Meanwhile, Turgis (TotalEnergies) stunned fans with a perfectly timed sprint from a breakaway group, claiming France’s third stage victory this year. 'It’s incredible—I hung in there even when dropped,' said Turgis, his face caked in dust after the 199km grind.
The stage wasn’t short on chaos: Vingegaard rode half the race on a teammate’s bike after a puncture, while Primoz Roglic clawed back from a 30-second deficit. Pogacar retains the yellow jersey, but Evenepoel and Vingegaard lurk just seconds behind.
With rest day looming, cycling’s 'Big Four'—Pogacar, Vingegaard, Evenepoel, and Roglic—now prepare for Alpine battles ahead. Who’s ready for more gravel-fueled drama?
'It’s incredible—I hung in there even when dropped,' said Turgis, his face caked in dust after the 199km grind.
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