Every win is special, but this one tastes extra sweet. Re-live the tension and elation of a magical day, as Daryl Impey raises his arms in a victory salute at the Tour de France.
Brioude, France – It’s a celebration for all of South Africa as Daryl Impey has become one of only two South Africans to win a stage at the Tour de France!
Impey became the second South African stage winner after Robert Hunter in Montpellier in 2007 as he outsprinted his last breakaway companion, Belgium’s Tiesj Benoot, in Brioude, the home of Romain Bardet who attacked from the peloton in the last climb but was brought back by Team Ineos.
Impey (born 6 December 1984) is a South African professional road cyclist, who currently rides for UCI WorldTeam Mitchelton–Scott. Impey is an all-rounder; he generally comes to the fore on tough uphill sprints. His biggest wins to date have been the 2018 and 2019 Tour Down Under in Australia being the first person to ever win back to back titles 2019 Tour Down Under and now his stage win over the weekend at the Tour de France 2019.
Benoot and Impey rode to victory 7km before the end while Romain Bardet (AG2R-La Mondiale), Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) and Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo-Visma) attacked in the côte de St-Just but Team Ineos was prompt to bring them back. Benoot and Impey shared the turns to avoid the return of their former breakaway companions. Benoot took the initiative of launching the sprint, but Impey proved to be the fastest.
He’s the first rider to win a Tour de France stage with the South Africa national champion jersey. The last victory of his Mitchelton-Scott team was with Michael Matthews in 2016.
“This is how a Sunday should be spent. Lost for words. Days like this are rare. Soaking it all up. First stage win in Le Tour de France. Thank you to everyone who has backed me and sent through so many amazing messages already.”
Every win is special, but this one tastes extra sweet. Re-live the tension and elation of a magical day, as Daryl Impey raises his arms in a victory salute at the Tour de France.
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