SOUTHERN suburbs cycling star Daryl Impey has put in the performance of his cycling career, winning the ninth stage of 2019 Tour de France on July 14 in France.
Impey is also one of two South Africans to record a stage win and to wear the yellow jersey at Tour de France. The other Southern African was Robert Hunter in 2007.
He has won this epic stage shift on France’s Bastille Day, securing a stage win on a brutal, hilly day of racing and coming down at the finish after a straight sprint between the two riders. Tiesj Benoot was the other rider.
This is the moment Impey was waiting for years after he graced the yellow jersey.
“Pretty much, for me, from a Tour de France perspective, a stage win was something really missing. I made quite a few breakaways in the past few years and finally, today, I got the win on Bastille Day. It’s fantastic! It’s a dream come true.
“It’s so difficult to win at this level. I kind of marked this stage. I was kind of lucky to find the right move. We all worked well together. I’m glad the legs were there at the end to beat Tiesj Benoot.
“I haven’t been emotional like that for a long time. I think the last South African to win a Tour de France stage was Robert Hunter in 2007… it’s a magic victory,” said Impey, who resides in Glenvista.
At this stage he is part of an Australian team, but pointed to the South African flag as he crossed the line. Tour de France is currently underway and will end with Stage 21 at Rambouillet, Paris, with a 128km stage on July 28.
