The Yellow Jersey has changed hands again over the weekend, we’ve seen a few tough stages, rough rides and new stage winners. With only Geraint Thomas and Simon Yates left slugging it out for the Brits, the race is unfolding in new unexpected ways everyday. This weekend we saw  Tony Gallopin stealing the Yellow Jersey from Nibali, Tony Martin stealing a stage 9 win and plenty of action along the way.

Tony Gallopin takes the Yellow. Image: The Telegraph.

Stage 7 was a monster 234.5 kilometre slog – the second longest stage of the tour – and while Nibali kept in the General Classification lead, it wasn’t for long and only by a couple of seconds. For the stage win, Italian Matteo Trentin took first place, Peter Sagan took second and Tony Gallopin third.

Stage 8 saw Vincenzo Nibali extending his lead, while Jakob Fuglsang of Denmark came in at second, and Richie Porte was in third for Sky.

Stage 9 – Final results

After a few position changeovers, Tony Martin picked off the rest of the sprinters to tip over the finish line with his fist firmly in the air. The final kilometre was pretty much bare tarmac as Martin was clear and free right to the end.

It was also Frenchman Tony Gallopin who wholeheartedly claimed the Yellow Jersey from Vincenzo Nibali, with a decent 1 minute and 34 seconds on the former GC leader.

1. Tony Gallopin Lotto-Belisol 38:04:38
2. Vincenzo Nibali Astana +1’34”
3. Tiago Machado Netapp-Endura +2’40”
4. Jakob Fuglsang Astana +3’18”
5. Richie Porte Team Sky +3’32”

End of stage 9 results:

1 Tony Martin Omega Pharma-Quick Step
2. Fabian Cancellara Trek +2’45”
3. Greg van Avermaet BMC same time
4. Tom Dumoulin Giant-Shimano
5. Matteo Montaguti A2GR

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