Dan Martin of Ireland edged out Danish cyclist Jakob Fuglsang at the finish line to win Sunday's grueling Stage 9 of the Tour de France while Englishman Chris Froome held on to the overall lead.
Garmin-Sharp's Martin and Astana's Fuglsand paced themselves ahead of the peloton, with Martin speeding away from Fuglsand with 150 meters left to go to take the nine-mile stretch that featured four consecutive Category 1 climbs, one Category 2 ascent, and a descent into Bagneres-de-Bigorre. It was Martin's first career Tour stage win.
"I was confident in the final stretch because I know I have some speed," said Martin, who is nephew of 1987 Tour champion Stephen Roche and a cousin of fellow cyclist Nicolas Roche. "I knew I had to be ahead in the last two corners and, when I saw that I was, I knew I could win."
Froome, a favorite to win the centennial running of the Tour de France, focused on maintaining his overall Tour lead, allowing Fuglsang a clear pathway to focus on staving off two-time Tour winner Alberto Contador, Colombian Nairo Quintana, and Spaniard Alejandro Valverde - who finished second in the race for the yellow jersey, 1:25 behind Froome.
Froome got very little support from his Sky teammates throughout the day, after Peter Kennaugh went down in an early crash, and Richie Porte, who started the day in second place going into Sunday's stage, fell off the pace finishing 17 minutes 59 seconds behind Martin.
"Yesterday was one of our best days and today was one of our toughest. Everyone who said yesterday that the race was probably over can think again," said Team Sky boss Sir David Brailsford, "All in all it was a tough day for the team. [Froome] is a very resilient guy and he is going well - and if you are going well then that is what counts. He did not feel under pressure physically all day."
Cyclists have Monday off, with the race resuming in Saint-Girons and ending in Saint-Malo. The course is on a flat terrain with a bunch sprint expected for Tuesday's finish.
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