Mathieu Van der Poel wins Tour de France stage shortened by heat

Mathieu Van der Poel claimed victory on the ninth stage of the Tour de France, a route shortened by approximately 30 kilometers due to intense heat on Sunday in Ussel. The Dutch rider, representing Alpecin and a former world champion, proved strongest in a final sprint against three breakaway companions: Norway's Tobias Johannessen, Britain's Tom Pidcock, and France's Alex Baudin.

The stage, reduced from 185 to 155 kilometers after the Corrèze department issued a red alert for a heatwave, was characterized by a fierce battle for the breakaway on hilly terrain. Despite suffocating heat, numerous riders attempted to break away early, including France's Julian Alaphilippe.

The decisive move occurred mid-stage on the challenging Suc au May climb, where eight strong riders formed a group. Among them were Tobias Johannessen, Quinn Simmons, Derek Gee-West, Tom Pidcock, Lennert Van Eetvelt, Pablo Castrillo, Mathieu Van der Poel, and Alex Baudin. However, behind them, Pogacar's UAE team maintained a high pace to keep the breakaway within reach.

Harmony within the leading group began to fray with 27 kilometers remaining. Van der Poel, dissatisfied with the slowing pace and noticing the peloton closing in, launched a decisive attack on Mont Bessou. Although Johannsen, Baudin, and Pidcock managed to rejoin him, Van der Poel ultimately proved too strong in the final sprint in Ussel, securing his third Tour de France stage win.