Tour de France 2011 Photos; Stage 9: Issoire → Saint-Flour, 208 km
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The day started off fine enough with some pleasant sunflower scenery		share this photo
But there was intermittent rain and gratuitous watering		share this photo
Garmin-Cervelo at the front early on for race leader Thor Hushovd on one of the eight catergorized climbs as part of this medium mountainous stage through the Massif Central. Garmin-Cervelo and Omega Pharma-Lotto overcooked a corner causing the upcoming crash.		share this photo
The rest of the peloton on the way south to the finish in Saint-Flour		share this photo
There was a big crash with 120 km to go involving more of the GC favorites. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Omega Pharma-Lotto) was able to climb back to the road, but he shortly abandoned with a broken shoulder. Meanwhile, Team Astana attends to Alexandre Vinokourov who "flew over the low guardrail and was found wedged in a tree."		share this photo
In his last season, Alexandre Vinokourov's (Astana) career is probably over after suffering a broken femur.		share this photo
Garmin's Jonathan Vaughter's looks on as Dave Zabriskie's broken wrist is tended to. Frederik Willems (Omega Pharma-Lotto) behind him also abandoned.		share this photo
Later in the stage, a French TV car swerved into the five man break up front sending Vacansoleil's Johnny Hoogerland somersaulting off the road and into a barbed wire fence		share this photo
That's quite a flogging. Someday a clothing manufacturer will invent something more protective than Lycra for bike shorts. Hoogerland finished the stage, claimed his KOM Jersey on the podium and even did some interviews before getting 33 stitches to repair the damage.		share this photo
After Johnny Hoogerland and Juan Antinio Flecha were removed from the break, it was down to Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank), Sandy Casar (FDJ) and Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) on the final climb to Saint Flour		share this photo
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) led most of the final climb since he was more interested in the Yellow Jersey		share this photo
Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) easily jumped his breakmates in the final 500m and moves up to second overall on GC		share this photo
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) crossing 2nd...		share this photo
but, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) was not unhappy...		share this photo
Although he was second today, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) is thrilled to be the new race leader finishing almost four minutes ahead of the peloton		share this photo
Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) leading teammate Philippe Gilbert and the rest of the GC contenders		share this photo
BMC doesn't want the Yellow Jersey quite yet. Cadel Evans followed by Andy Schleck.		share this photo
After an earlier crash when Vladimir Karpets bumped him off the road, Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) recovered to finish with the other GC contenders. He'll be thankful for the first rest day on Monday.		share this photo
Philippe Gilbert gained more Green Jersey points on his rivals today		share this photo
This was the last day in Yellow for Thor Hushovd who finished with Jens Voigt, David Millar and Stuart O'Grady + 6:47		share this photo
Your stage 9 winner, Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) pointing to his deceased brother as he normally does when he wins		share this photo
Little Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) looking tall on the podium. By the finish, he stretched out a 2:26 overall lead on Cadel Evans which should keep him in Yellow for at least a few stages.		share this photo
Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) says the Yellow Jersey smells good even though Thor Hushovd wore it for seven straight days		share this photo
While RadioShack's Chris Horner is out of hospital enjoying his favorite meal, teammate Andreas Kloeden was sent to hospital post stage 9 for x-rays which proved negative. Kloeden finished the stage but has slipped down to 8th place on GC. photos: @PhilippeMaertens		share this photo
Tour de France 2011 Photos; Stage 9: Issoire → Saint-Flour, 208 km
« Stage 08 photos	return to: Tour de France 2011 Dashboard: Results, Photos, Video  |  Tour de France 2011 photo gallery	Stage 10 photos »