Martinez's GC aspirations crumble after losing 15 minutes on stage 9

Tour de France 2022 109th Edition 7th stage Tomblaine La Super Planche des Belles Filles 176 km 08072022 Daniel Martinez COL INEOS Grenadiers photo Kei TsujiSprintCyclingAgency2022
Martinez was 16.02 on the stage winner into Chatel on stage 9 of the Tour de France 2022 (Image credit: SprintCyclingAgency)

The Ineos Grenadiers started Sunday's stage 9 of the Tour de France with four riders inside the top 10 overall, but the team closed out the day with one fewer GC hopeful near the top of the standings after Daniel Martínez lost some 15 minutes to the yellow jersey.

For the most part, the main GC contenders kept their powder dry on the Alpine climbs without putting in any major attacks as riders from the breakaway battled for the stage win. Even without any open hostilities from the big names, however, the tempo in the pack was high enough to put paid to the GC hopes of at least a handful of riders, with Martínez the biggest notable to lose touch on the Pas de Morgins.

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Dane has been a sports writer and editor for many years, and makes a return to Cyclingnews as a contributor in 2022. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia.