TDF 2020 / STAGE 9: GUILLAUME MARTIN RETAINES HIS 3RD PLACE IN THE GENERAL

The leader of the Cofidis team hung on this Sunday during the final stage of the Pyrenees to keep his 3rd place overall.

Guillaume Martin showed great courage and remarkable composure by conceding only 11 seconds on the winner of the day (Pogačar) and the new yellow jersey (Roglič).

You had to have your heart set on Sunday following this 9th stage, the 2nd and last in the Pyrenees. In question ? The lack of visibility, the mercury - to less than 15 ° C - and especially the hellish pace of the race. Guillaume Martin, always in tune

After the multiple attempts at breakaways and the solitary flight of Marc Hirschi, the Jumbo-Visma imposed their pace in the ascent of the Col de Marie-Blanque, undoubtedly one of the most difficult climbs of this start of Tour de France.

Guillaume Martin, who had so far benefited from very good work from his teammates, held on as the field of leaders shrank. And then, 20 km from the finish line, the attacks started. Pogačar, Bernal, Pogačar again.

Guillaume, he held on. A 3rd place in the dearly defended general If he was finally left behind by a handful of seconds, squad leader Cofidis showed quite a bit of composure as he participated in the counterattack. While Pogačar, Bernal, Roglič and Hirschi fought for the final victory, we saw in the distance the group of riders led by Guillaume.

The Normand therefore resisted until the end and from an accounting standpoint, it is a success. He conceded only 11 seconds to the winner of the stage, Pogačar.

In the general classification, the Frenchman remains 3rd, 28 seconds behind the new yellow jersey, Primož Roglič. Martin is the only rider to have seen his position in the “top 10” unchanged this weekend. Now it's time for a well-deserved day of recovery. For fans of Guillaume Martin, it will also be necessary to rest to continue to have the heart well hung fifteen more days.

GUILLAUME MARTIN'S REACTION : ''The results are very positive, especially since I do not intend to fight to win the Tour de France. It went really fast all day and I was careful with the pace.

At the top of the Marie-Blanque pass, I didn’t miss much to rock with the best. Finishing just 11 seconds behind riders of this class, with their credentials, is a very good performance.

The Tour is far from over. So far, it's been successful for me & the dynamics are very good.

These two weeks will have to hang in there, a lot can still happen and we saw that there was no easy day. We will first rest, take stock of it cold and then approach the next week with just as much desire and motivation. "