ARCALIS, Andorra -- A gastronomical, sporting and cultural glance at Stage 9 of the Tour de France on Sunday:Region: Raced from start to finish outside France, the stage began in Vielha Val dAran in the Spanish province of Lerida and concluded with an uphill finish at Arcalis in the principality of Andorrra.Baguette and butter: Defending champion Chris Froome held on to the yellow jersey and eliminated several of his main rivals in the toughest stage in the Pyrenees. Dutch rider Tom Dumoulin won the ninth leg with a solo breakaway in a hailstorm on the uphill finish, a beyond-category climb. Two-time champion Alberto Contador pulled out with a fever midway through the stage. Among those who couldnt keep up with Froome on the final climb were French favorite Romain Bardet, top American hope Tejay van Garderen and Fabio Aru of Italy.Plat du jour: Escudella, an Andorran stew made with meatballs containing a mix of pork, veal and chicken combined with vegetables and local Trumfa potatoes.Culture: Beginning in the small village of Llorts, the Ruta del Ferro (Iron Road) is a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) pathway that traces the history of the metallurgy industry in Andorra. Well before the principality became known for its favorable tax system, metallurgy was a key industry from the 17th to the late 19th century. Coal works and forges can be admired along the route, either by foot or on horseback.Vin du jour: Ratassia, a sweet artisanal liquor with a light brown color made with walnuts and hand-picked medicinal herbs. Local farmers let the herbs macerate in alcohol for 40 days in the sun. It can be enjoyed either as a digestive or as an aperitif with ice.Stat of the Day: 11. Eleven riders in this Tour live in Andorra: Joaquim Rodriguez, Simon Gerrans, Rui Costa, Rohan Dennis, Luis Leon Sanchez, Luke Durbridge, Angel Vicioso, Dan Martin, Dani Moreno, Leigh Howard and Ruben Plaza. Its a fantastic place to live quietly with a family and train with a lot of mountains around, said Gerrans, who moved from Monaco a year ago and whose home was along the stage route.Quote of the Day: We went through all states. In the valley, the heat was suffocating. Then in the finale, it was apocalyptic. Frenchman Romain Bardet, on the sudden changes in the weather conditions.Dessert (or breakfast): Chocolate con churros is a classic in Spain. Locals enjoy these long fritters covered with sugar at any time of the day, dipping them in a cup of hot, thick chocolate.Next order: Monday is the races first rest day. Then there is one more stage in the Pyrenees on Tuesday, a 197-kilometer (122-mile) leg from Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra, to Revel, France.Custom Hockey Jerseys . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. Cheap Hockey Jerseys China . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. https://www.fakehockeyjerseys.com/ . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. Cyber Monday Hockey Jerseys . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. Hockey Jerseys Black Friday . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal.Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Thursday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EST:- CHICAGO -- Baseballs MVP winners are announced. Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Jose Altuve are the AL finalists. In the NL, its Kris Bryant, Daniel Murphy and Corey Seager. AL about 6:15 p.m., NL about 6:45 p.m.- CHICAGO -- Major League Baseball concludes two days of owners meetings. The top item on the agenda is the collective bargaining agreement, which expires Dec. 1.- CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Saints and Panthers look to put rough losses behind them when they meet in an NFC South game. Drew Brees pounded Carolina last month for 465 yards and four touchdowns. Game starts 8:25 p.m.- INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joins Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke for the groundbreaking on the teams new stadium and entertainment district.- FRISCO, Texas -- Dez Bryant says he couldnt have played a day after his fathers death without his teammates support. Team chemistry is part of the reason this is becoming a special season for the Dallas Cowboys.- GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The ACC, SEC and Pac-12 are experimenting with collaborative instant replay in which officials at league headquarters assist stadium crews with reviews during games.- Its tempting for playoff contenders to run up lopsided victories to impress the College Football Playoff committee. But the committee insists it doesnt take margin of victory into consideration when compiling rankings.- HOUSTON -- No. 3 Louisville (9-1) and Heisman Trophy favorite Lamar Jackson try to improve their playoff chances with a victory over Houston. Game starts 8 p.m.- PULLMAN, Wash. -- Washington State coach Mike Leach geets called a lot of things: inquisitive, outspoken, ingenious, odd.dddddddddddd Leachs quirks often mask his ability to build a program that is now ranked No. 20.- STORRS, Conn. -- The third-ranked UConn put their 76-game winning streak on the line when they host No. 2 Baylor in an early showdown in womens college basketball. Game starts 7:30 p.m.- LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The No. 7 Xavier men open play in the Tire Pros Invitational against Missouri at Disney World. The Muskeeters won this tournament last year. Game starts 1:30 p.m.- HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Carl Edwards is no fan of social media, but hell jump aboard if he wins his first NASCAR championship Sunday. Edwards lost the 2011 title on a tiebreaker and has a shot in the season finale at redemption.- LONDON -- Novak Djokovic beats David Goffin at the ATP finals to finish group play undefeated. The Serb is eyeing a record-tying sixth title at this season-ending tournament and looking to regain the No. 1 ranking from Andy Murray.- BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Much like last spring, the Lightning will have to make do without Steven Stamkos. The Tampa Bay captain is sidelined indefinitely after tearing a ligament in his right knee.- ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- The final PGA Tour event of the year begins at Sea Island, with defending champion Kevin Kisner and tournament host Davis Love III in the field at the RSM Classic.- NAPLES, Fla. -- Top-ranked Lydia Ko needs to win the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship to secure player of the year honors. Otherwise, that prize goes to budding star Ariya Jutanugarn. They open play Thursday. ' ' '