Tour De France: Ricco Riding High After Stage Nine Win

Riccardo Ricco climbed to victory in the first mountain test of the Tour de France to record his second stage win.

The 24-year-old Italian broke away from the race favorites after 180kms with a burst of speed during the ascent of the category-one Col d'Aspin. He went on to dominate the ninth stage, in the Pyrenees, crossing the line with a one minute four second lead over second-placed Russian Vladimir Efimkin.

The Saunier Duval rider, who came runner-up in the Giro d'Italia, had already won in an uphill finish on the sixth stage and has now reinforced his reputation as one of cycling's best climbers. "My legs are good," Ricco said. "Everyone knows I'm an extremely competitive rider. I know there's a lot of strong competitors up against me but my particular way of attacking is the only thing I can do to win so I went on the attack today."

There was less success for the favourite Cadel Evans. He had to be helped back to the front of the pack by his team-mates after crashing midway through the stage, sustaining bruises on his left knee, elbow and side. "We are not worried from a medical point of view. There will just be the usual effects of a crash," said race doctor Gerard Porte.

Evans remains second in the overall standings six seconds behind Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg, who retains the yellow jersey. American Chris Vande Velde of the Garmin Chipotle team is third, 44 seconds behind.

Ninth stage result:

1. Riccardo Ricco (Italy / Saunier Duval) 5 hrs 39 minutes 28 secs2. Vladimir Efimkin (Russia /AG2R-La Mondiale) +1 min 4 secs3. Cyril Dessel (France / AG2R-La Mondiale) +1 min 17 secs4. Dmitry Fofonov (Kazakhstan / Credit Agricole)5. Christian Knees (Germany / Team Milram)6. Maxime Monfort (Belgium / Cofidis)7. Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Caisse d'Epargne)8. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic / Liquigas)9. Damiano Cunego (Italy / Lampre)10. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukraine / Silence-Lotto) all same time