Hernandez wins, but Rasmussen extends lead

COLOMBIAN Juan Mauricio Soler Hernandez has won stage nine of the Tour de France from Val d’Isere to Briancon.

The Barloworld rider crossed the line 38 seconds ahead of a chasing pack of nine riders, which included yellow jersey holder Michael Rasmussen and Spanish rival Alejandro Valverde.

The final race in the Alps extended Rasmussen’s lead in the overall standings to two minutes and 35 seconds over second-placed Valverde, and almost ended Tour favourite Alexandre Vinokourov’s chances of glory in Paris after he struggled with sickness and finished well down the pack.