'I finally did it': Ottawa's Michael Woods wins 9th stage of Tour de France
Canada's Michael Woods approaches the finish line to win the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race oin Puy de Dome, France, on Sunday. (Daniel Cole/AP Photo via The Canadian Press)Canadian Michael Woods delivered an impressive solo effort to claim the biggest success of his career at the top of a legendary Tour de France climb on Sunday as two-time champion Tadej Pogacar further reduced the gap with overall leader Jonas Vingegaard."I've never won a stage of the Tour. It's something I've talked about doing and wanting to do, but have never been able to achieve and I finally did it," Woods said."I am still having a pinch-myself moment. I can't believe I did it. I am really proud of myself, really proud of my team. It's special."WATCH | Woods makes Canadian cycling history:Ottawa's Woods captures stage 9 win at Tour de France7 hours agoDuration 1:38Michael Woods claimed a stage nine victory at the 110th edition of the Tour de France in the Massif Central volcanic mountains region
Canadian Michael Woods delivered an impressive solo effort to claim the biggest success of his career at the top of a legendary Tour de France climb on Sunday as two-time champion Tadej Pogacar further reduced the gap with overall leader Jonas Vingegaard.
"I've never won a stage of the Tour. It's something I've talked about doing and wanting to do, but have never been able to achieve and I finally did it," Woods said.
"I am still having a pinch-myself moment. I can't believe I did it. I am really proud of myself, really proud of my team. It's special."
WATCH | Woods makes Canadian cycling history:
Woods, who rides for the Israel-Premier Tech team, has no ambition in the general classification and was part of an early breakaway that the main contenders allowed to form early in the ninth stage. He managed to catch American Matteo Jorgenson just 500 metrres from the summit after his 24-year-old rival jumped away from the leading group with less than 50 kilometres left.
The 36-year-old Woods, who was born in Toronto and raised in Ottawa, then dropped Jorgenson at ease and reached the summit of the Puy de Dome, a famed volcanic crater in the Massif Central region of south-central France that last hosted a stage 35 years ago.
"With Jorgenson being so strong... I [knew] it was going to be very, very difficult to come back and I doubted it," Woods said after the race. "But, I didn't really worry about that. I just focused on myself and continued to believe. Regardless of the outcome, I was going to go my hardest all the way to the top."
What's Your Reaction?
