Els Cortals (Andorra) (AFP)

Hail, falls, dirt road turned into a quagmire ... The Tour of Spain saw Sunday a dantesque 9th stage won in Andorra by the amazing Slovenian Tadej Pogacar and concluded by the takeover of Colombian Nairo Quintana, new red jersey for only six seconds.

In this short and nervous queen stage (94.4 km), the conditions were "extreme" in the opinion of the riders, between high altitude and innovative incursion on an unpaved road just before the final ascent. And it is the prodigy Pogacar (20 years old) who has imposed himself alone, marking the spirits from his first participation in a grand tour.

"This day has been amazing," said Slovenian youth UAE-Emirates, winner of the 2018 Tour de l'Avenir, before making his professional debut with success at the Tour d'Algarve and the California Tour in the spring. .

"When I saw the weather forecast, I was glad it was raining because it was good for me, I tried to follow the attacks and then went full throttle on the dirt section. a tricky step, "said Pogacar, the youngest stage winner on the Vuelta for 38 years, according to statistician Gracenote.

The Slovenian advanced to the top Colombian Quintana (Movistar), who took advantage of the fast renunciation of the wearer of the red jersey, the French Nicolas Edet (Cofidis, 28th of the stage), to seize the precious tunic for the first time. times since his final victory on the 2016 Vuelta.

- "hail on the road" -

Another Slovenian, Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), took third place at the top, despite a fall on the unpaved portion.

The Colombian Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana), who went on the offensive at the end of the stage, went for the blame in the ruts of the sodden path. Struck by his rivals, he then stuck in the final climb to finish one minute away from the winner.

"It was very dangerous, fortunately there was no downhill to negotiate, there was hail on the road and the bike was slipping a lot in the climb," said Lopez. "In the end, we lost little time, it could have been worse," said the Colombian, wearing the red jersey for three days since the start of this Vuelta.

On the eve of the first day of rest Monday in Pau (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), the general classification is tighter than ever between Quintana and Slovenian Roglic, second only 6 seconds and great favorite of the only time trial this Vuelta, scheduled for Tuesday between Jurançon and Pau (36.2 km). Lopez is third at 17 seconds, Spaniard Valverde (Movistar) fourth at twenty seconds.

"The Vuelta is still long and the important thing is to get ahead of Roglic because it has an advantage with the + chrono + that happens," said Quintana, eager to get warm soon.

© 2019 AFP