Jasper Stuyven laid it all out on the gravel roads of Tour de France Stage 9, coming agonisingly close to taken the stage win after his brave solo attack was caught just at the flamme rouge.
If it was physically possible to give more than 100 percent, then Jasper Stuyven certainly did at the Tour de France today!
#TDF2024 Chapeau Jappe, you gave it everything and did us proud ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9Nssq7e9zV
— Lidl-Trek (@LidlTrek) July 7, 2024
There was a lot of talk ahead of Stage 9 and the 14 gravel sectors that lay ahead of the peloton but one person who was looking forward to the race was Stuyven.
It was a big battle to form the breakaway but the Belgian Classics specialist made sure he was in there with the group. It was a strong move which, despite the peloton and General Classification teams never fully giving up on the chase behind, was able to carve out enough of an advantage to fight for the stage win.
🏁 5KM
🇧🇪 @Jasperstuyven has a 6'' gap to the group behind.
🇧🇪 @Jasperstuyven a un écart de 6'' avec le groupe de derrière.#TDF2024 pic.twitter.com/nlwOYOyroh
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 7, 2024
Stuyven’s solo attack just before the 10-kilometer to go mark had everyone on the edge of their seats with the former Belgian gravel champion powering away from the rest of his remaining breakaway companions.
The gap was hovering at around ten seconds and victory was within grasp but, the usual game of cat and mouse that is often played by a chasing group, never came and ultimately he was caught a mere kilometer from the finish line.
Jasper’s Reaction
“I tried everything. Maybe it would have been nice to not have such a strong headwind for the last few kilometers, and they didn’t really look enough at each other behind me, but I think I left it all out there. I just wish I could have pushed a little harder in the end but, it is what it is and unfortunately it wasn’t enough. At the moment, it is hard to see the positives but we will see what happens over the rest of the race. I think this was really a big opportunity for me and I was close. Now, I think I will just enjoy the rest day and then I can maybe look to see what’s possible in the next part of the race and if there is any more chances.”
