AG2R’s Bob Jungels put in THE solo effort of this year’s Tour de France so far to win Stage 9. The Luxembourger broke free of the day’s big breakaway over 60 kilometres from the finish and held off a thrilling chase from the fast charging Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) to give the Tour another feel-good story. Simon Geschke (Cofidis) took over the King of the Mountains jersey, but yellow and green stayed with Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) respectively.
It was the start of the cobbled classics season and dominant performances from QuickSteppers in Omloop and KBK. We have the best quiffs in the peloton with Zdenek Stybar and Jungels BOB JUNGELS!. We also have Tour of Rwanda and the UAE Tour. Plus Larry en francais! Adam’s Gran! and so much more (and for now, it’s a blood-doping-free zone).
It was Ardennes Week, which usually doesn’t do much for me but the QuickStep wins in both Fleche and LBL made up for that! Of course, no matter what the race, we can always count on the Twitterstream to either distract or rev up the mood.