While Bauke Mollema saved energy for tomorrow's big mountaintop finish, Steven Kruijswijk was given the chance to go for glory in today's stage 9 of the Tour de France. However, the Dutchman came up short against an impressive Tony Martin.

Steven Kruijswijk of Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM rode into Sunday's winning breakaway and crossed the line seventh in the 170km ninth stage from Gérardmer to Mulhouse behind solo winner Tony Martin.

"The beginning was pretty hard. The first climb was like 40kph, and it wasn't easy. The second climb, I took the jump, and it was a big group," Kruijswijk said. "Tony [Martin] was ahead of us, and he kept gaining time, and then there was not much to do. A few guys in our group were riding for GC, so for me, it was just sitting in the group. It was a big breakaway with many riders [more than 20], so it was good to be there. Today I went deep, and the feeling uphill was good."

GC captain Bauke Mollema rode safely in the main pack, dropping from ninth to 12th, but without losing time to his main rivals. With a hard stage on tap in Monday's summit finish, Mollema was staying cool.

"It's still hard to say what will happen. There are a lot of good GC riders. I hope to improve and get a top 5," Mollema said. "It was a long, tricky stage today. The pace was high on the first climb. I was taking it easy in the main pack, keeping an eye on the GC riders."
 

Lars Boom, winner of stage 5, also tried to work into the breakaway, but the hilly, six-climb stage across the Vosges proved too demanding.

"Steven was the first from the team who escaped, and I went later with [Fabian] Cancellara, and I tried when [Tony] Martin went, but it was very fast uphill," Boom said. "I could not find the right rhythm."
 

With Kruijswijk in the breakaway, the remainder of the team worked to protect Mollema. Maarten Wynants said everyone is looking forward to Tuesday's first of two rest days.

"We were hoping for the win today, but Martin was a little too strong today. He rode almost the whole day alone, so chapeau to him," Wynants said. "All the GC riders will be making a big show Monday. I am looking forward to the first rest day. It was a brutal first week, with England, the cobbles, even the sprint stages are hard. Now these three days, with rain, and the real mountain stages are still to come!"
 

Monday's 161.5km 10th stage from Mulhouse to the Belles Filles summit ends up the steepest and most challenging climb so far in the 2014 Tour. Belkin Sports Director Frans Maassen said fans should expect a big show.

"Tomorrow will be very exciting, and a very hard one. We will see a lot of real and hectic racing," Maassen said. "We hope it's good for Bauke, but all the big stars have to go full gas tomorrow. The Spanish guy looks strong [Alberto Contador], and [Vincenzo] Nibali gave away the jersey, and I think it's a smart move for him. Tomorrow, with the cobbles stage as well, is the most important stage so far in this Tour."