Netcompany INEOS chased Van der Poel breakaway for two reasons in Tour de France Stage 9

Netcompany INEOS was among the teams chasing hard after the breakaway group during Sunday’s Stage 9 of the Tour de France. However, the British team ultimately had to concede defeat to the escapees, with Mathieu van der Poel taking the stage victory in Ussel. INEOS sports director Daryl Impey reflected on the day.

“It was a tactical day. We were very positive and aggressive at the start, but then we missed the move when that group of eight riders went clear. UAE kept the gap reasonably small,” he explained.

With Tobias Halland Johannessen and Tom Pidcock in the move, INEOS had two riders ahead who could potentially threaten Egan Bernal’s position in the general classification. At the same time, the team still had Filippo Ganna in the peloton. The Italian even beat Mads Pedersen in the sprint for fifth place, crossing the line only six seconds behind the winner.

“We knew it could come back with Pedersen still in the group. Pippo was on an amazing day today, jumping across to moves and surviving all those climbs.”

“Towards the end, the gap was still one minute. We decided to contribute to the chase because we believed in Pippo. Unfortunately, we came up just short at the finish. It is a little frustrating that we could not close the gap, but the boys did a really good job,” Impey concluded.