Tour de France 2017: Chris Froome holds on to yellow jersey in a stage marred by crashes and heartbreaks

[caption id=“attachment_3795641” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] In one of the worst accidents of the day, Australia’s Richie Porte crashed in the descent of the Mont du Chat pass during the ninth stage of the Tour de France. AP[/caption]   [caption id=“attachment_3795619” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Britain’s Chris Froome, third in the ninth stage of Tour de France 2017, retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey in a race that was plagued by devastating accidents and crashes. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3795625” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Mont du Chat, the final climb in the ninth stage was dubbed as ‘savage’ or ‘monster’. A group of breakaway riders try to scale the climb. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3795631” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Netherlands’ Robert Gesink grimaces after crashing. Gesink’s injuries forced him to abandon the race. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3795637” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Meanwhile in another mishap, Italy’s Manuele Mori is seen to be getting medical assistance after crashing during the ninth stage of the Tour de France Just like Gesink, Mori too was forced to abandon the race. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3795643” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Australia’s Richie Porte is carried to an ambulance. Porte, said to be out of danger, has been ruled out of Tour de France. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3795649” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] France’s Warren Barguil celebrated prematurely as he crossed the finish line, thinking he won the sprint but Colombia’s Rigoberto Uran finished ahead of him in a photo-finish to win the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3795661” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Colombia’s Rigoberto Uran(R) crosses the finish line ahead of ahead of France’s Warren Barguil(L), Britain’s Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey to win the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3795663” align=“alignleft” width=“940”]  Colombia’s Rigoberto Uran celebrates on the podium after winning the ill-fated ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3795667” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Unlucky runner-up France’s Warren Barguil won the best climber’s polka-dotted jersey after the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race. AP[/caption]