Michael Woods was ecstatic with his solo victory on stage nine of the Tour de France which finished on the Puy de Dôme, saying that it was his best win in cycling.
The Canadian climber on Israel-Premier Tech was part of a large breakaway group which built up a huge lead of over ten minutes on the run into the mythical climb in the Auvergne.
After being left behind by some of the remnants of the breakaway, Woods measured his efforts before gradually picking off his rivals including Neilson Powless (EF Education-Easy Post) and Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious).
Eventually the Canadian caught and passed Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) before going solo to the line.
“I mean this was my career goal. It's certainly the greatest result I've ever had in cycling,” Woods said. “I'm turning 37 this year. So I was starting to feel like that window to win a stage at the Tour was starting to close.
“So to have won a stage now is just a dream come true. I'm super proud and just really, really grateful.”
After being left behind on the lower slopes, Woods was forced to claw his way back to the head of the race meaning the victory was never a foregone conclusion. According to the Canadian, winning stage nine had been a long-standing target of his.
“Yeah, I mean, that was the goal [to win the stage],” he explained. “You dream about it, you know. I'd never won a stage of the Tour. So it wasn't a certainty by any stretch of the imagination.”
The Tour’s highly anticipated return to the Puy de Dôme brought huge crowds to the roadside, something which Woods said made the experience of racing up the mythical climb even more memorable.
“It was so so loud,” he said. “With five kilometres to go or so there were just so many fans, just before the barriers started. It was deafening and then to just pass into the four kilometre-ish mark was like crazy, because all the sudden there's just silence.
"I was just alone with my thoughts and just looking up the road and just trying to pick off guys one by one. So it was really mentally interesting and really cool to experience.”
“It’s just a really cool climb,” he added. "You can see it from a way away on the approach. I think it was so unique because there were no fans. It was almost like Covid racing a few years ago.
“It’s a really beautiful climb and certainly one of the hardest stages you could possibly do at the same time."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
The National Cycling League appears to be fully deadEffective immediately, the NCL paused all its operations in order to focus on restructuring and rebuilding for the 2025 season.
-
Giro d'Italia 2025 route: white roads, twin time trials and a huge final week await in MayThe three-day Albanian start could shape things early, too
-
Remco Evenepoel almost 'back on the rollers' after being doored by Belgian post vehicleMultiple Olympic champion aiming to return to training on the road in February and will tentatively begin riding indoors at the weekend
-
'It used to annoy me when people said 'enjoy it', now cycling is my job, I understand': Oscar Onley on his rise through the ranksThe 22-year-old talks through his beginnings as a cyclist, turning pro with Picnic PostNL and what’s next in 2025.
-
'He’s at the age now where he's coming into his prime' - Where does Tadej Pogačar go next after a year of unequalled domination?Becoming the first male rider since 1987 to complete cycling’s hallowed triple crown earns the Slovenian this year’s prize. Tom Thewlis salutes a spectacular year
-
Jasper Philipsen: 'All eyes will be on us at the Classics but we will be ready'Milan-San Remo winner says Alpecin-Decuninck will be prepared to have a target on their back next year
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
-
Jonas Vingegaard plays down talk of Giro d’Italia debut in 2025, and clarifies use of carbon monoxide inhalationTwo-time Tour de France winner gives nothing away when asked if he’ll appear at the Giro, but the Worlds in Rwanda is in his sights
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since JuneAnnouncement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
