Tour de France (st. 9)

Spaniard affected by crash early into final Alpine day; still has energy left to launch his first attack in the 'Grande Boucle' into final climb of Tignes, sits now in 6th overall - just under half a minute from podium. O'Connor (ACT) wins from break, now ranks 2nd behind Pogacar (UAD).

Despite a significant blow, yet another setback for a severely hampered Movistar Team in this first half of the 2021 Tour de France, Enric Mas showed on Sunday’s stage nine to Tignes that he’s really got a shot at contesting a GC podium finish in Paris.

The Spaniard was affected by a crash around 30km into the stage, just after the initial climb to Domancy (Cat-2), which left his clothes severely damaged yet, looking at the results, didn’t mean any major physical consequence.

Supported until the foot of the last climb by Valverde and a great Jorge Arcas, Mas got over the ascents with apparent ease and also went through a final selection created by INEOS Grenadiers, before attacking, just before the top, to try and further reduced his group -which race leader Pogacar (UAD) had already left behind-.

Enric’s move meant that Kelderman, Lutsenko -whom he overtakes in the GC- and Gaudu conceded time, which takes the Spaniard up to sixth overall, just 29″ off third place, while Ben O’Connor (ACT), who took a resounding victory, got up to second after his huge finishing margin. The new situation is Enric’s best in this year’s ‘Grande Boucle’, right before the first rest day on Monday.

Cover picture (c): BettiniPhoto