"I've always dreamed of winning a stage in the Tour de France and now it's finally happened" - 36-year-old Michael Woods completes lifelong goal on stage 9

At the start of the final climb of stage 9 at the 2023 Tour de France, Michael Woods was around 1:40 down on the leader Matteo Jorgenson. A brilliant fightback however has seen the Canadian complete a lifelong dream.

“I can't believe it worked out. I am proud of myself, proud of the team. It is very special," the Israel - Premier Tech rider said in his post-stage interview. “Until about four kilometers from the finish I could hardly hear anything, then suddenly everything was silent. I had a lot of time to think, a lot of time to suffer. I just looked ahead and tried to make up as much time as possible on Jorgenson. I wish I could say it was all planned."

The tremendous final climb from Woods has seen him add a Tour de France stage win to his prior Vuelta a Espana stage victory and complete a lifelong dream. "At four kilometres from the finish I didn't even think about winning, I just thought I had to ride a time trial to the top. Whatever the result, I would be proud of myself," he continues. “I am 36 years old, turning 37 this year. I am not getting any younger. I've always dreamed of winning a stage in the Tour de France and now it's finally happened."

Atop the infamous Puy de Dôme as well, the victory is extra sweet for Woods. “It is an iconic, very beautiful climb. It's super special. Hopefully we will come back here in the years to come.”