Pate, Dean, Vande Velde TdF stage 9Danny Pate (right) and Julian Dean (left) made sure Christian Vande Velde (tucked in) stayed in striking range of the front group for when the race hit the final Peyresourde and Aspin climbs.

Rising to the challenges of the first real high mountain day of the Tour, Christian Vande Velde easily hung with the group maillot jaune (yellow jersey) over the Col de Peyresourde and the Col d’Aspin. Finishing with Kirchen in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, Christian maintained his 44″ time gap and moved up to third overall.

Approaching the day’s final climb, the Col d’Aspin, Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O had a strong crew consisting of Christian, David Millar, Trent Lowe and Ryder Hesjedal in the main chase group. As the pace picked up however, the group of 60 splintered leaving Argyle all along the climb. Trent hung on for the climb but ended up finishing in the second group while David finished in the third group back.

Tomorrow’s stage 10 will be even more intense as the race celebrates Bastille Day by climbing the Col du Tourmalet and finishing atop Hautacam.

Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O stage 9 results
1. Riccardo Ricco 5h39′28″

20. Christian Vande Velde +1′17″
42. Trent Lowe +1′57″
55. David Millar +4′34″
78. Ryder Hesjedal +9′04″
118. Danny Pate +18′55″
142. Will Frischkorn +28′11″
147. Julian Dean +28′11″
161. Martijn Maaskant +28′11″

Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O GC
1. Kim Kirchen 38h07′19″
2. Cadel Evans +6″
3. Christian Vande Velde +44″
25. David Millar +4′31″
69. Trent Lowe +30′53″
82. Ryder Hesjedal +37′30″
115. Danny Pate +54′35″
124. Julian Dean +59′34″
147. Will Frischkorn +1h10′02″
149. Martijn Maaskant 1h10′59″