Vuillermoz races to victory
July 11, 2015
Alexis Vuillermoz secured a first French victory of this year's Tour de France, while 2013 winner Chris Froome maintained his overall lead.
The 181.5-kilometer stage from Rennes to Mûr-de-Bretagne was defined by the climb at the end that left Vuillermoz in the hunt, while last year's winner Vincenzo Nibali continued to fall behind after a tough start.
Froome's late attack was in vain as the Frenchman, who finished third on Monday in Belgium, raced ahead and defeated runner-up Dan Martin and third-placed Alejandro Valverde.
"I have always dreamed of this. It's incredible," said Vuillermoz, a former mountain bike rider who admitted the nature of the race suited him.
"I'm not sure that in the mountains I'm going to be able to take on Chris Froome but in this type of finish, I'm a puncher. Everyone has their speciality and this is mine."
The steep climb late on took its toll on former champion Nibali, the Italian dropping to 13th in the overall standings. Nibali trails Froome by one minute and 48 seconds, while Dominik Nerz is five minutes behind and is the highest-placed German.
At the steep climb on Mûr-de-Bretagne, Vuillermoz timed his attack to perfection, winning the stage to a cheering home crowd with his arms raised aloft.
"After finishing third at Huy, today it was just about winning," said the 27-year-old who dedicated the win to his late father who died three years ago.
"Today I'm thinking about him, he was a Tour de France fan and hopefully he is proud of me."