Mathieu van der Poel, the 31-year-old Dutchman and Alpecin-Premier Tech rider, claimed victory in the ninth stage of the 2026 Tour de France on Sunday in Ussel, France. Known as "The Flying Dutchman" and a cobbled classics specialist, van der Poel secured his first Grand Tour stage win of the year.
The stage was shortened by 30km due to intense heat. The former world champion won a scramble for the finish line in a sprint among a small group of three breakaway companions.
This victory marks van der Poel's third Tour de France win. Tobias Johannessen finished in second place, while Tom Pidcock took third.