1400 kilometers have been covered so far by the bunch.
The final day of the race’s first week found the peloton in Switzerland, from where the riders took on a demanding 192.9km course peppered with four classified climbs that took them to Châtel les portes du Soleil. The Alpine ski resort had hosted just a finish before Sunday, way back in 1975, when Lucien Van Impe conquered the 40km individual time trial that finished at the top of the first-category ascent.
The start of the stage was again marked by numerous attacks coming from those hoping to book a place in the breakaway. Even Mattia Cattaneo, the most combative rider of stage 8, tried to be there, but the field didn’t give green light to that move, letting a group move away only in the run-in to Côte de Bellevue.
From this 21-man group, Bob Jungels (AG2R-Citroen) soloed to victory after attacking on the penultimate climb. All our riders, except Kasper Asgreen – who had to retire before the stage – came in safely and will now head into a well-deserved rest day before next week’s gruelling Alpine climbs, including Col du Granon and Alpe d’Huez.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
