Greig Leach

Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) may have started stage nine over eight minutes off the lead of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), but at various times towards the end of the stage he actually was the virtual leader of the Tour de France. The Australian's debut Tour was going incredible well. He was vying for a stage win that might actually include taking the overall lead. Behind, it could be assumed that UAE Team Emirates was wanting to let the Maillot Jaune pass to someone they did not thing could possibly take the leader's jersey all the way to Paris. The forgot that Pogacar was a competitor through and through. He wasn't about to surrender without a fight.