Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, celebrates on the podium after the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

Stage winner Belgium's Tim Merlier celebrates on the podium after the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

Belgium's Jonas Rickaert was awarded the most combative rider of the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

Belgium's Tim Wellens, wearing the best climber's dotted jersey, celebrates on the podium after the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

Stage winner Belgium's Tim Merlier celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of second place Italy's Jonathan Milan, left, and third place Belgium's Arnaud de Lie, beating his bicycle with his fist, right, during the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

Stage winner Belgium's Tim Merlier, left in white, crosses the finish line ahead of second place Italy's Jonathan Milan, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey, left, and third place Belgium's Arnaud de Lie, right, during the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

Germany's Georg Zimmermann was distanced by the pack after crashing during the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

Belgium's Jonas Rickaert, front, and teammate Netherlands' Mathieu van der Poel ride breakaway during the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

The pack rides during the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

The pack rides during the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.