Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) triumphantly crossed the finish line alone atop the hors categorie Andorra Arcalis climb in a pelting hail storm Sunday to win Stage 9 of the Tour de France. The climb to the Andorra ski resort did not disappoint in creating an action-packed finale among the general classification contenders as well.
It was the first Tour stage win for the talented Dutch rider, who now has won a stage at all three Grand Tours at the age of 25. He is the 11th active rider to achieve such a feat.
“This is a dream come true,” Dumoulin said. “I’m so tired that I can’t even speak. It’s been an incredible day. I’ve won the queen stage. It’s special. I’ve showed that I’m not only a time trial specialist. I can do more. I’m so happy.”
The main event of the stage occurred about 100km from the finish, as Alberto Contador abandoned the race. This is only his second abandonment in 15 Grand Tour participations.
“I couldn’t continue,” Contador said. “This morning I was feverish after the crash in the first day, I really didn’t feel well and it pushed me to make this decision. I must have medical checks to see what’s wrong to try and recuperate for the rest of the season.”
Read the full stage 9 race report, highlight video and results here.
Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com
The peloton didn’t have much time for sightseeing on stage nine with over 4,500m (15,000ft) of climbing on the day. Photo: Cor Vos
The riders would spend over five hours in the saddle and go over five categorized climbs on stage nine. Photo: Cor Vos
Contador battled on but succumbed to illness and abandoned. Photo: BrakeThrough Media
Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) set-off alone in the valley before the climb to the ski resort at Arcalis. Photo: Cor Vos
With the team buses at the bottom of the mountain, some riders were descending while others were still climbing to the finish. Photo: Gruber Images
Dumoulin put his time trial skills to good use and powered through the hail storm. Photo: Cor Vos
The roadside fans sought shelter from the hail anyway they could on the Andorre Arcalis. Photo: Cor Vos © 2016
Photo: Leon Van Bon / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com
Photo: Leon Van Bon / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com
Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) and Majka could not catch Dumoulin on the climb and would have to settle for second and third on the stage respectively. Photo: Cor Vos
Dumoulin was pumped to get the win, despite the awful weather. Photo: Cor Vos
The riders were exhausted when they reached the finish atop the hors categorie climb. Photo: Cor Vos
Jaoqim Rodriguez (Katusha), Romain Bardet (A2gr-La Mondiale), Sergio Henao (Team Sky), Buake Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) and Louis Meintjes (Lampre-Merida) fought all the way to the line. The group would finish 21 seconds behind the Froome group. Photo: Cor Vos
Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) began the descent to the team bus with an umbrella. Photo: Cor Vos
Paul Martens (LottoNL-Jumbo) made sure he would be warm on the descent to the team bus. Photo: Cor Vos
