Voeckler In Yellow, Luis The Winner... But Plenty Of Losers In Dramatic Day!

The Progress Report
The stage started with an immediate attack from Westra (VCD) who joined by Brutt (KAT). Their move began at the moment the flag fell to signal the official start of the ninth stage (at 12.18pm) from Issoire to Saint-Flour but it lasted just 11km before the peloton was all together again. Conditions were overcast at the start, but dry although there was the threat of storms during the stage. Juan Manuel Garate (RAB) was the rider who did not sign on, meaning that there were 187 at the start of stage nine. The 208km stage included eight categorized climbs: cat-3 cote de Massiac (43.5km), cat-2 col du Pas de Peyrol (Puy Mary – at 99.5km), cat-2 col du Perthus (116km), cat-3 col de Cère (127.5km), cat-3 cote de la Chevade (139.5km), cat-2 col de Prat de Bouc (154km), cat-4 cote de Chareau d’Alleuze (193km), and the cat-4 climb to the finish in Saint-Flour. The intermediate sprint was in Neuvéglise at 178km.

Voeckler Begins A Bid For Yellow Jersey
The pace at the start was very fast. Gesink (RAB) was in trouble before the first climb and, at this time, Gilbert (OLO) and Evans (BMC) were showing signs of aggression as they joined a few early moves. Voeckler took two points on the first climb, while Hoogerland (VCD) took second. The average speed for the first hour was 45.0km/h. The peloton split in the first ascent and Voeckler led by 20”; he was pursued by Hoogerland (VCD) and Flecha (SKY) and there was a counter-attack from Casar (FDJ), Sanchez (RAB) and Tersptra (QST). The chasing trio caught the leading trio at 51km. The best of the escape on GC (after eight stages) was Voeckler, 19th overall 1’29” behind Hushovd. At the 52km mark, the six led by 3’35”. Wouter Poels (VCD) abandoned at the 50km mark. And then Amets Txurruka (EUS) crashed and left the race in an ambulance. The peloton was led by Lang (OLO) and riders from Garmin-Cervelo. At the 85km mark, Contador crashed off the left of the road but quickly remounted and was back with the peloton at 89km.

Col du Pas de Peyrol
At the base of the second climb, the peloton was 2’40” behind the six escapees. Lang (OLO) set the pace and Garmin riders followed his wheel. Terpstra was dropped from the lead group with 2km to climb. Voeckler and Hoogerland dashed ahead for climbing points with the Frenchman leading the Dutchman over the line. At the top, Tepstra was 30” behind. The peloton was 3’35” behind and still led by Lang. On the descent, at the 102km mark, there was a crash that caught numerous riders including Van Den Broeck (OLO), Klöden (RSH) and Vinokourov (AST). The Astana leader left the road and went into the forest on the right of the road on a sweeping left turn. Both Vinokourov and Van Den Broeck were forced to abandon the Tour. Willems (OLO) and Zabriskie (GRM) also quit because of injuries sustained in the crash.

Peloton Has A Momentary Truce
At the top of the crash the peloton was about 3’40” behind the five escapees. Cancellara and his Leopard-Trek team-mates moved to the front and discussed the situation with Hushovd and Gilbert. There was an agreement to ease the pace for the remainder of the descent and all others who were caught up returned. Up ahead, Hoogerland beat Voeckler for points at the top of the third climb. In the valley between the third and fourth ascents, the peloton was 7’40” behind but the bunch began to race again at the 115km mark. Hoogerland led Voeckler over top of the Col de Cere and the peloton was at 6’20”.

Flecha and Hoogerland Shunted Out Of Lead Group
With 35km to go, a car passing the lead group sideswiped Flecha who catapulted into Hoogerland and caused a spectacular crash. Both fallen riders got back on their bikes but by then Voeckler, Sanchez and Casar had resumed racing after a brief respite. At the intermediate sprint Casar led Voeckler and Sanchez to the line; Flecha was at 1’50”. Hoogerland landed on a barbed wire fence and his legs were sliced up in the accident but he finished the stage, as did Flecha. Both were awarded the ‘Fighting Spirit’ award for their efforts. It’s the first time two men have received this prize in one stage at the Tour de France.

Sanchez Gives Rabobank A Win & Voeckler Takes Yellow
All the drama at the 102km mark helped the leaders hold on to a winning advantage in Saint-Flour. Voeckler never surrendered, he always kept the pace of the escape high as he knew that he could end the day as the leader of the Tour. And that’s exactly what happened. He cheekily tried to win the stage as well as he was the first of the leading trio to start the sprint but Sanchez responded with relative ease to relegate the two Frenchmen and win his third stage of the Tour de France. Voeckler’s second place, 3’59” ahead of the peloton – that was led home by Gilbert (at 3’59”) and 6’47” ahead of Hushovd (in 82nd place today). The Europcar leader will wear the yellow jersey in stage 10.