A LATE mechanical issue cost Tom Pidcock on Sunday as Mathieu van der Poel won stage nine of the Tour de France from a breakaway.

Pidcock was left unable to change gear and came in third as Van der Poel beat Tobias Johannessen in a four-up sprint in Ussel.

Pidcock’s issue had first surfaced around 25km from the end of a 155km stage through the Massif Central, shortened by 30km due to a red alert for a heatwave, and although the Yorkshireman managed to stay with the lead group, it left him unable to respond when Van der Poel kicked for the line.

“My shifter stopped working,” said Pidcock, who had been seeking a second career Tour stage win. “I couldn’t change gear. I could only change on the top.

“I started sprinting and I couldn’t change gear, I had to go on to the hoods. My bike was perfect the whole race and then today when the win was there it doesn’t work.

“Anyway, Mathieu is a difficult one to beat in a sprint situation like that. It would be difficult anyway, so I’m happy for a good day’s racing. It’s a nice day going into the rest day.”

A third career Tour stage win for Van der Poel came at the end of an intense day of racing as the shortened distance increased the focus.

The Dutchman had been instrumental in keeping what had been an eight-man breakaway clear of a chasing peloton paced by the squad of race leader Tadej Pogacar, seemingly determined their lead should be no more than a minute and a half.

Van der Poel’s victory will be savoured by his team after their sprinter Jasper Philipsen was left frustrated in each of the past two days.

The peloton had a chance to recover today before the race resumes with on Tuesday’s demanding mountain stage. The 167km route from Aurillac to Le Lioran will test the contenders with a succession of climbs in the Massif Central, including a punishing final ascent that could provide opportunities for attacks among the favourites.

There was no change at the top of the general classification.

Pogacar, aiming for a record-equalling fifth Tour de France crown, continues to lead by two minutes 42 seconds from rival Jonas Vingegaard, with Pogacar’s team-mate Isaac del Toro three minutes 27 seconds down in third, three seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel.