• Narration: So we live the ninth stage
  • Classification See general

The rear wheels of the bicycles spit out water as if they were geysers, drops that seemed to run away from the criminal asphalt that the platoon encountered in a Dantesque stage that does not leave winners or losers, beyond the very young Tadej Pogacar, who found in Andorra his consecration with a memorable stage victory. Quintana is the one who comes out best standing in the quartet of honor, as reflected in the red jersey that will look on Tuesday's time trial in Pau. But Roglic, now second to 6s, smiles satisfied because he limited the damage on a very hostile day for him. Valverde, which last year fainted in Andorra, is discovered with strength to successfully overcome stages of high latitudes and with several chained ports. And Lopez confirms his good form, although he regrets that a fall that could not be seen on television ruined the exhibition he was plotting. [Narration] [General classification]

The only thing that unites all of them is that it maintains legitimate aspirations to win this Tour and that reaching the goal was a blessing. The shortest stage of La Vuelta, just 94 kilometers, was a constant torture. Especially in the final section, those 22 kilometers in which three ports were chained with little rest between them. In case the route was not aggressive enough, a brutal hailstorm (so much so that the television signal left the badge for seven kilometers) intensified the tremendous punishment to which the platoon was subjected in a stage in which the tactic prevailed above all .

In the escape of the day, formed by 30 runners, Astana, Movistar and Jumbo leaked a good part of their best gregarious for the mountain, prepared to pick up and help their leaders, to attack or defend themselves, when necessary. While the escape was waging its own war, the platoon hurriedly faced Ordino, the port that practically began at the starting line.

When the second ascent arrived, the terrible Col de la Gallina, the swords were already raised. Movistar was the first team to change the pace and then Astana took over with a plethoric Cataldo, who lost weight to the main group until leaving him in a dozen units, without Aru or Chaves, who suffered an untimely mechanical breakdown and despite his effort and that of his team was not able to re-engage, losing almost five minutes in goal.

The final 22 kilometers awaited the concatenation of La Comella, Engolasters and Cortals d'Encamp, with just one kilometer of descent between the first two ports to take a break. A criminal sequence that Miguel Ángel López decided to face alone, attacking when there were about 20 kilometers left, leaving Roglic, Valverde and Quintana with no reaction capability. 'Superman' was picking up Gorka Izagirre and Fuglsang to continue his attack.

The two Movistar dedicated themselves for a long time to attack Roglic between them to try to lift the Slovenian. In the end, they got it, but the Slovenian, far from worrying, kept pace. And then, the hailstorm began and lightning left the television without a signal. During those minutes, López fell on the stretch of land, turned into mud, which linked Engolasters with Cortals d'Encamp, which made Valverde and Quintana hunt her down, frustrating her great movement.

The three, together with Pogacar and several survivors of the escape, made their way for a while, until Quintana attacked and Pogacar left with him. At that time, Marc Soler was head of the race and looked strong to win the stage. However, from the car he was ordered to stop to help Quintana, which angered the Catalan, as he himself was responsible for demonstrating live and direct.

When the Colombian reached the height of his partner, Pogacar hard attacked both of them and left them behind, confirming his exhibition. Meanwhile, Roglic traced behind until reaching López, passing him and reaching Valverde, which had taken Movistar a few meters. The two arrived together at the finish line, 25 seconds from Quintana and with 'Superman' 13 seconds behind them.

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