After yesterday's big attack, Sylvain Chavanel was again part of the action when he joined the break in today's stage 9 of the Tour de France. However, the Frenchman paid for his efforts and was one of the first to get dropped.

IAM Cycling and the other teams of the 101st Tour de France, with the exception of Omega Pharma-Quickstep, remained powerless in the face of the strength and determination of Tony Martin.  The multiple world time trial champion took the victory for the 9th stage after a break of more than 120 kilometers.  Vincenzo Nibali ceded his yellow jersey to Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Belisol), who was a member of the large breakaway group behind Martin.

Marcel Wyss worked his way into the day’s first break, but that one ended up being reeled in by the peloton before it could establish itself.  Wyss returned to the group and finished the day in 88th place, 7’46” behind Martin.  After the stage, he discussed his day and looked forward to Monday’s course which promises to be much more demanding. 

“I had found the right break, but we did not build a sufficient buffer, and after we were pulled in, I did not have the necessary reserves to launch a new attack.  Each stage of the Tour is very fast from the very start.  It is necessary to find the right break.  I will have my chance. 

"The next stage is the one with the first real summit finish and is very difficult.  I reconnoitered the stage with Mathias Frank, and the difficulties are numerous on the final climb.”

Kjell Carlström, one of the directeurs sportifs of the team along with Eddy Seigneur, stressed the importance of finding the right break. 

"“Today it was our plan to put someone in the break.  Marcel Wyss played his part perfectly on the first climb, but then the pack caught back up.  Then Sylvain Chavanel joined the next salvo.  However, he was not able to keep up after his efforts of the day before.  This will not prevent us from trying our luck in the next stages.”