Michael Woods secured a victory in the ninth stage of the Tour de France. The Canadian cyclist from Team Israel-Premier Tech claimed a last-minute triumph atop the legendary col, Puy de Dome.
"That is truly special for me," Woods exclaimed in a post-race flash interview. "I can't really believe it. I've always dreamt of winning a Tour de France stage, and now I have." The 36-year-old climber had already secured two stage victories in the Vuelta a España (2018 and 2020).
At the moment Woods began his surge forward, he didn't even entertain the thought of winning, as he revealed. "I just wanted to ride a time trial uphill. Initially, I wanted to catch up with Jorgenson, but in the end, I had to be patient," he explained.
Until the final four kilometers, the climb was adorned with dense rows of spectators. "My ears are still buzzing. It was a magnificent sight. I hope we can return here again," said the cyclist, appreciating the enthusiastic crowd.