FILE PICTURE: Team MTN Qhubeka rider Louis Meintjes makes his way up the climb of Santuario de San on September 3, 2014 during stage 11 of the Vuelta Espana in Spain. (Warren Elson, Gallo Images )
Road cyclist Louis Meintjes continued to carry the SA flag at the Tour de France on Sunday, climbing closer towards the top 10 in the overall standings at the gruelling race.
Meintjes finished 14th on the ninth stage, crossing the line three minutes, 32 seconds (3:32) behind former Olympic silver medallist Rigoberto Uran of Colombia (Cannondale Drapac) who won a six-man sprint to take the 181.5km leg between Nantua and Chambery.
He climbed two places to 11th in the general classification, five minutes behind defending champion Chris Froome of Great Britain (Sky) who retained the yellow jersey.
The 25-year-old South African was also lying second in the race for the young riders’ jersey, 2:58 behind Simon Yates (Orica-Scott).
Serge Pauwels continued to lead SA team Dimension Data in their battle to make an impact in the general classification.
The Belgian rider finished 50th on the stage, slipping 14 places to 32nd in the overall standings, and he was nearly half an hour off the pace.
The peloton would enjoy their first of two rest days on Monday, enjoying a rare break at the three-week contest.
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