Stage nine of the Tour de France in the Pyrenees and the end of this years race for two-time winner Alberto Contador.
ADVERTISEMENTStage nine of the Tour de France in the Pyrenees and the end of this years race for two-time winner Alberto Contador. He had crashed twice in two opening stages and this morning complained of a fever. He called it quits 104 kilometres from the finish line after trying his luck one more time with a vintage early move.
Temperatures neared the 40 degree mark followed by a torrential downpour and hail stones. But one rider was singing in the rain in the extreme conditions.
Tom Dumoulin of the Netherlands made his break at the foot of the final climb and he remained ahead of the chasing pack to cross the line first.
Chris Froome retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey as he controlled his nearest rivals on the 10 kilometre ascent to Arcalis.
Dumoulin crossed the line of the first summit finish of this year’s Tour 38 seconds ahead of Rui Costa.
Froome who had made a few brief attacks in the finale could not distance himself from last years runner up Naior Quintnao and former Sky team mate Richie Porte