Stage 9 Results:
1) Chris Froome (GBR) - Team Sky
2) Esteban Chaves (COL) - ORICA - Scott
3) Michael Woods (CAN) - Cannondale - Drapac
4) Wilco Kelderman (NED) - Team Sunweb
5) Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) - Katusha - Alpecin
GC Standings after Stage 9:
1) Chris Froome (GBR) - Team Sky | 36:33:16
2) Esteban Chaves (COL) - ORICA - Scott | + 0:00:36
3) Nicolas Roche (IRL) - BMC Racing Team | + 0:01:05
4) Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) - Bahrain - Merida | + 0:01:17
5) Tejay Van Garderen (USA) - BMC Racing Team | + 0:01:27
Britain's Chris Froome has extended his lead in the general classification following a brilliant win in today's stage.
Froome started the day with a narrow 28 second lead over Chaves, but Froome managed to hold the Colombian off in the final 500m to win the stage in 4hrs 7mins 13secs. AG2R's French hopeful, Bardet, had attacked with 2km to go but the main group lead by a strong Team Sky train caught the straggler and spat him straight out the back with about 1.6km to go.
This victory gives Chris Froome a greater platform to become the first man to achieve a Tour-Vuelta double in 39 years, after beating Rigoburto Uran to the Yellow jersey earlier this year. This win on today's stage gives the Team Sky marquee a significant advantage over the over favourites, and it would take a huge effort if anyone wishes to topple him now.
Chaves, with a just as great performance on today's stage, also firms up his general classifcation postition; with the 3rd placed Nicolas Roche falling to 65 seconds behind the leader, Froome.
Tomorrow is the first of the two rest stages.
Keep posted for more stage reports!