STAGE 9

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6

Pau › Laruns

153KM

It must be heartbreaking to get so close to a first stage win at the Tour, only to be had been. The exuberance of youth was the story of the day, as Hirschi attacked on his own from the early breakaway, holding off a charge from the GC leaders for most of the finale. When he crested the Col de Marie Blanque he had just 20 seconds on his chasers, and his descending skills kept him in the hunt, as he dived around corners, using every inch of road to keep his nose in front and extend his lead.