(CNN) -- Chris Froome retained the yellow jersey on a day of toil and trouble as Ireland's Dan Martin won the ninth stage of the Tour de France. 

Sky Team rider Froome, who has a one minute and 25 second lead over his closest challenger, was forced to battle on his own as his teammates failed to give him adequate protection. 

Richie Porte lost his grip on second place overall after finishing more than 17 minutes adrift, while Vasili Kiryienka was swept up by a broom wagon and is unlikely to feature in the remainder of the Tour. 

There was also misery for Peter Kennaugh, who suffered bruising after falling from his bike -- an incident which left Froome wide open to attack on all fronts. 

"This was one of the hardest days I have ever had on the bike," Froome told reporters. 

"I had no-one else with me. I am really happy I have come through today. I was completely on my own, I had (sporting director) Nicolas Portal in the car telling me not to worry." 

Martin, the nephew of great Irish cyclist Stephen Roche, won the long descent to Bagneres-de-Bigorre with Froome following home 20 seconds later in a pack which included rivals Alejandro Valverde and Alberto Contador. 

Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford revealed his surprise at seeing his team struggle with Porte's failure particularly difficult for him to comprehend. 

"That was a bit of a surprise, it is not often we've seen Richie have a day like that," Brailsford said.  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What is the name of the race that this article talks about?
2. Which race is the main topic of this article?
3. 
Q2:
1. Which stage of the Tour de France does this article talk about?
2. This article talks about which stage in the Tour de France?
3. 
Q3:
1. Dan Martin is the nephew of which famous cyclist?
2. What is the name of the cyclist whose nephew is Dan Martin?
3. 
Q4:
1. What is the name of the person who kept the yellow jersey?
2. The yellow jersey was kept by which cyclist?
3. 
Q5:
1. Did Chris Froome win the ninth stage of the Tour de France on top of keeping the yellow jersey?
2. Was the ninth stage of the Tour de France won by Chris Froome?
3. 
Q6:
1. What is the name of the person that won the ninth stage of the Tour de France?
2. The ninth stage of the Tour de France was won by which person?
3. 
Q7:
1. Did any of the cyclists fall down during the ninth stage of the Tour de France?
2. Did the ninth stage of the Tour de France see any of the cyclists fall down?
3. 
Q8:
1. What is the name of the cyclist that fell down during the ninth stage of the Tour de France?
2. The ninth stage of the Tour de France saw which cyclist fall down?
3. 
Q9:
1. What happened to Peter Kennaugh when he fell from his bike?
2. What type of injury did Peter Kennaugh have after falling down during the ninth stage of the Tour de France?
3. 
Q10:
1. What is the name of the cyclist that finished more than 17 minutes adrift of Dan Martin?
2. Which rider finished more than 17 minutes after Dan Martin?
3. 
Q11:
1. What is the name of the team that Chris Froome rides for?
2. Chris Froome rides for which team?
3. 
Q12:
1. What lead does Chris Froome have over the rider in second position?
2. How much time does Chris Froome lead the Tour de France by?
3. 
Q13:
1. Which country does Dan Martin come from?
2. Dan Martin is from which country?
3. 
Q14:
1. Did Chris Froome ride the ninth stage with other team members?
2. Did some of Chris Froome's team members cycle with him?
3. 
Q15:
1. What is the name of the person that won the descent?
2. The descent was won by which person?
3. 
