Mathieu van der Poel wins stage nine of the 2026 Tour de France after the race is shortened because of intense heat. All reporting says the cobbled classics specialist takes victory in Ussel, where the ninth stage is reduced by about 30 km due to extreme temperatures described as around 40°C. Van der Poel rides from a late breakaway group, then wins a sprint finish among the riders remaining. Tobias Johannessen finishes second, and Tom Pidcock takes third. One outlet adds further detail that Pidcock suffers a late mechanical problem, leaving him unable to change gear, which affects his ability to contest the finish. Despite the shortened distance and difficult conditions, Van der Poel adds to his Tour stage tally and records a third win in this year’s race. The results reflect the combination of extreme weather, strategic racing from the front, and a final bunch sprint among a small group.