Team Sky’s Chris Froome took an impressive victory on Stage 9 of the 2017 Vuelta a Espana, extending his overall lead after a week of racing.
Froome held off a late challenge from Esteban Chaves and Michael Woods to claim his first stage victory of 2017 in a tough mountain top finish.
Froome now goes into the first rest day of the Vuelta with a lead of 36 seconds over Chaves.
“I put everything I had into that last couple of hundred metres,” said Froome. “I was determined that they weren’t going to catch me.
“I’m really, really happy to get the victory. The team did a brilliant job on that final climb and set such a good tempo.
“After a week we couldn’t have asked to be in a better position. It’s been a fantastic start to the Vuelta. The legs are feeling great. I’ve been to the Vuelta so many times, trying to target this race, and so far it feels like everything is going really well.
Froome’s win capped off a terrific day for Team Sky, who also saw Italian sprinter Elia Viviani take victory in the Bretagne Classic.
Jens Debusschere abandons
Jens Debusschere crashed in the first half of the stage and had to abandon the race. He was taken to hospital where tests showed he has no fractures. A deep wound on his left knee needed to be stitched. Jens also bruised his knee, shoulder, elbow and hip.
Jens Debusschere: “I don’t exactly know how it happened, probably I hit something that lay on the road. Yves Lampaert, who was riding just in front of me, could just avoid it, but for me it was too late. I was thrown over the little wall that split the road. In the opposite direction traffic was still riding, so I was lucky. I got on my bike, but only for a few metres. I immediately felt that I couldn’t continue because of my injured knee. It is painful to leave La Vuelta this way.”
Stage 9 Brief Results:
- Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 4:07:13″
- Esteban Chaves (Colombia / Orica-Scott) +4″
- Michael Woods (Canada / Cannondale-Drapac) +5″
- Wilco Kelderman (Netherlands / Team Sunweb) +8″
- Ilnur Zakarin (Russia / Katusha-Alpecin)
- Alberto Contador (Spain / Trek-Segafredo) +12″
- David De La Cruz (Spain / Quick-Step Floors)
- Sam Oomen (Netherlands / Team Sunweb)
- Nicolas Roche (Ireland / BMC Racing Team) +14″
- Antonio Nibali (Italy / Bahrain-Merida)
General Classification After Stage 9:
- Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 36:33:16″
- Esteban Chaves (Colombia / Orica-Scott) +36″
- Nicolas Roche (Ireland / BMC Racing Team) +1:05″
- Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Bahrain-Merida) +1:17″
- Tejay van Garderen (U.S. / BMC Racing Team) +1:27″
- David De La Cruz (Spain / Quick-Step Floors) +1:30″
- Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana Pro Team) +1:33″
- Michael Woods (Canada / Cannondale-Drapac) +1:52″
- Adam Yates (Britain / Orica-Scott) +1:55″
- Ilnur Zakarin (Russia / Katusha-Alpecin) +2:15″
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
Websites:
Bike World News
Ron’s Bike Garage
Current Bike Quiver:
Bird Bikes Zero 29 29″ hardtail mountain bike
Commencal Absolut 26″ Dirt Jump/Pump Track bike
Commencal Tempo 29″ full suspension mountain bike
Felt ZA 700c race bike
Kona Kilauea vintage 26″ mountain bike
Niner RLT9 700c road/gravel bike
Specialized Stumpjumper vintage 26″ mountain bike
Day Job: Digital Marketing
Night Job: Digital Marketing, eCommerce Consultant, Web Consultant, Bike Shop Operator, Husband, Dad, Tenor