Pogacar sixth in Alps to keep yellow jersey
TIGNES, France — Defending champion Tadej Pogacar kept control of the Tour de France on a rainsoaked second day in the Alps as a crash-filled opening week took its toll on rivals Sunday.
“I’m sure a lot of guys suffered today,” said Pogacar, who retained the race leader’s yellow jersey by responding when required in the ninth stage.
Both last year’s runner-up Primoz Roglic and former overall leader Mathieu van der Poel dropped out of the race before the grueling 90mile route from Cluses to Tignes.
Australian rider Ben O’Connor won the stage after launching a solo break with 10.5 miles to go. Sergio Higuita was unable to follow the 25-year-old as O’Connor powered up the Col du Pré for the finish at Tignes.
O’Connor struggled to fight back tears after his first tour win.
“Just to be taking part on the Tour de France in the first place is a dream. Then to achieve a victory like this one is excellent, a great reward to everyone who has supported me over the years,” O’Connor said. “It’s been a wild ride.”
O’Connor finished more than five minutes ahead of Mattia Cattaneo and Sonny Colbrelli. Pogacar responded to a late attack by Richard Carapaz to defend his overall lead by finishing sixth, just over six minutes behind O’Connor.
UAE Team Emirates rider Pogacar has a lead of 2:01 over O’Connor in the general classification ahead of the first rest day Monday.
Pogacar had doubts toward the end of the stage.
“I was scared that I might lose the yellow jersey just the day before the rest day,” Pogacar said. “I’m happy to keep it.”