Stage winner Ben Healy suddenly found himself alone in front: "I just wanted to test my legs"

Healy had already planned to go for a solo win. "I wanted to be in the breakaway group. I went along with some attacks and that was it, I made it." In the decisive breakaway, it was a matter of waiting for the final few climbs. "I wanted to go solo, because I really had good legs. However, I wasn't always confident about winning, but on the last climb I still had my good legs and nobody followed me."

That didn't quite go according to plan. "I just wanted to test my legs. But nobody came with me. But I also knew that I could ride a good time trial to the finish. So I just set a pace and it went well. I had to keep giving it my all until the finish."

With this win, Healy secured his first WorldTour victory. "That really means a lot. It's really bizarre how the season has gone so far. After the classics, I took a break and didn't touch my bike for a while. But my legs are just really good now. I'm surprising myself here."

This victory by Healy is probably not the last we will see of him. The climber thinks so himself: "I can take it easy for the next few days. But there will certainly be more opportunities for me."

On Sunday, Healy and the rest of the peloton will face a 35-kilometer time trial. The day after is a rest day, following which the riders will begin the tenth stage on Tuesday.