Jersey wide open, golden fleece in the air and dancer mode activated, the fight could begin.

18 kilometers from the finish of this first mountain stage in the Alps on Sunday, Thibaut Pinot decided to relaunch the suspense of a race that seemed promised to Bob Jungels, who started alone 62 kilometers from Châtel – Les Portes du Sun.

And if the gap was already a good two minutes between the chasing group and the AG2R Citroën Team rider at that moment, our favorite goat farmer felt that there was still something to play for.

Sensation confirmed very quickly in front of our television by seeing the gap melt visibly before, unfortunately, stabilizing around 30 seconds and never moving again.

After the race (which he ended up finishing fourth behind Jungels, Castroviejo and Verona), speaking to France TV, Tibopino didn't have it too badly: "Of course it's a shame because I had good legs.

Afterwards, when you leave two and a half minutes late at the foot of the pass – a pass that suits him a little more than me – it's necessarily more complicated.

With a slightly harder pass it would have been different but I have no regrets, I really gave it my all”.

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— In the Musette (@DansLaMusette) July 10, 2022


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Pinot finally finds "good feelings"

Now in the service of David Gaudu in the quest for a podium on the Champs Elysées, Pinot had nevertheless warned at the start of the Tour that he reserved the right to attempt a few well-felt thrusts depending on the race scenarios.

This first thrill on Sunday came to confirm it and contrasts with the dirty day of Saturday, where the Franc-Comtois fell for the first time before taking a snot (involuntary) from an assistant from the Trek who was holding a haversack in his hand.

"We will say that this is the first day where I have good feelings so I'm happy, it allows me to be quite serene for the future", he explains on his descent from the podium.

Because if he did not raise his arms on this 9th stage, Pinot will have at least won the Combatif of the day prize.

A reward that he himself deems deserved for having set the mood at the end of the afternoon: “Bob Jungels did a nice number but I think I restarted the race, he told France TV.

For many, there was no more suspense and my attack gave some back.

A mild euphemism in view of the crazy atmosphere that reigned in the public in the last kilometers.

As for us, we were standing on the table, ready to crack the fumis in the event of a final victory.

This is only a postponement.

Tour de France 2022: Jungels resists the return of Pinot and wins solo in the Alps... Relive the 9th stage live

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  • Cycling

  • Thibaut Pinot

  • Tour de France 2022

  • Sport