Key occasions
Right here’s Jeremy Whittle’s Tour de France 2025 stage eight race report from Laval:
That’s all for at present. Thanks for following the weblog and to your emails.
It’s been an excellent day for Jonathan Milan, who was already sporting the inexperienced jersey, however has now bagged himself a win on the Tour de France 2025 after being pipped on earlier dash phases.
Be a part of me tomorrow for an additional flat sprinter’s stage in Châteauroux, which has quickly renamed itself Cavendish Metropolis in honour of Mark Cavendish.
Listed here are some footage from the at present’s podiums:
‘I am actually joyful and we deserve it’, says Milan after a ‘robust and stessful’ last
Jonathan Milan spoke to reporters after profitable stage eight. He’s the primary Italian to win a stage on the Tour de France since Vincenzo Nibali’s success in Val Thorens on stage 20 of the Tour in 2019. He stated:
I believe I don’t understood what we [just] did. To come back with some expectations and goals after which to convey them dwelling are two completely different good issues.
The Lidl-Trek riders stated he was assured within the crew.
At present it was actually targeted, believeing in it. My guys did an incredible job into the ultimate. It was a troublesome and anxious last. It was dragging up and I knew I needed to wait so long as I may.
I like these sort of finals. I’m actually joyful and we deserve it. We desrve one [a win] and now lets try to relaxation as a lot as potential and check out once more tomorrow.
The Italian rider added:
Successful with this jersey on myshoulder means lots for me and for my nation. I’m actually proud of the end result and I’ll try to convey extra dwelling.
KOM classification: high 5 after stage eight
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Tim Wellens (UAE Group Emirates XRG), 8pts
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Tadej Pogačar (UAE Group Emirates XRG), 7pts
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Ben Healy (EF Training-Easypost), 4pts
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Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) 4pts
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Ewen Costiou (Arkéa-B&B Resorts), 3pts
Factors classification: high 5 after stage eight
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Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), 192pts
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Tadej Pogačar (UAE Group Emirates XRG), 156pts
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Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), 124pts
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Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), 108pts
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Anthony Turgis (Complete Energies), 93pts
Common classification: high 10 after stage eight
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Tadej Pogačar (UAE Group Emirates XRG) 29hrs 48mins 30secs
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Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Fast-Step) +54secs
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Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Resorts) +1min 11secs
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Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1min 17secs
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Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +1min 29secs
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Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1min 34secs
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Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL) +2mins 49secs
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Florian Lipowitz (Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +3mins 2secs
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Primož Roglič (Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +3mins 6secs
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Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) +3mins 43secs
Prime 5 on stage eight
1. Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
2. Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike)
3. Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
4. Pascal Ackermann (Israel Premier Tech)
5. Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Caps)
Milan wins stage eight!
An incredible dash for Jonathan Milan! The Lidl-Trek rider and inexperienced jersey chief takes the stage win. Mathieu van der Poel lead out Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate Kaden Groves, whereas Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) sat on Milan’s wheel.
2km to go: The peloton have been using at 80km/h into the method. The street is ramping up a bit now.
4km to go: The bunch are driving uphill now with Tim Merlier (Soudal-Fast-Step) again on the entrance. Alpecin-Deceuninck are dominant.
6km to go: It’s getting a bit tense on the entrance, with the riders vying for place on comparatively slim roads with a number of 90 diploma turns thrown in.
Tim Merlier (Soudal-Fast-Step) is subsequent to Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Fast-Step) and Tadej Pogačar (UAE Group Emirates XRG) in direction of the again of the bunch, whereas Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) is on the entrance together with his teammates.
Very a lot loved receiving this electronic mail from Jason in Seattle:
I’m having fun with your commentary throughout this uneventful stage.
Race radio speaking about cows, your cheese lunch. All a part of the expertise.
I’m glad you’ve loved the weblog at present and my snippets throughout a not very eventful (thus far) stage.
9km to go: Tim Merlier (Soudal-Fast-Step) is again within the peloton. He simply must work his method as much as the entrance now. The crew’s are getting their lead out trains so as.
10km to go: Tim Merlier (Soudal-Fast-Step) has a mechanical however grabs a brand new bike and is again on the street. Krists Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech) tried to sluggish going right into a roundabout due to a puncture and hit the deck. He’s OK although and again up.
Burgaudeau and Vercher win the combative award
13km to go: Matteo Vercher is completed! Mathieu Burgaudeau (Complete Energies) goes on with out his teammate. It’s simply been introduced that the duo have been awarded probably the most combative award for at present’s stage.
16km to go: The breakaway have simply reached the summit of the 900m catgeory 4 Côte de Nuillé-sur-Vicoin with Mathieu Burgaudeau (Complete Energies) crossing the KOM line first. The peloton observe.
18km to go: Jonas Rutsch (Intermarché-Wanty) has crashed! He was mendacity on the bottom and it didn’t look nice however he’s up and again on his bike with a rip at the back of his jersey. From the TV footage, it seems as if a rider ended up using over his again as a result of crowded street.
22km to go: The peloton are using by narrower roads now. The hole between them and Matteo Vercher and Mathieu Burgaudeau (Complete Energies) has elevated to 56sces. It is perhaps that the peloton have determined to let the pair go for now to keep away from it getting too hectic too quickly.
27km to go: The 2 French riders have been out for 50km, at a tempo of 48.2 km/h since their assault. They preserve a spot of about 30secs.
31km to go: The peloton are looming behind the shoulders of Matteo Vercher and Mathieu Burgaudeau (Complete Energies). The have a few 26sec hole now.
The Côte de Nuillé-sur-Vicoin is developing in about 15km.
35km to go: Andie has emailed in from “on the street someplace between Czech Republic and Germany” and asks:
Do you might have an replace on the likes resembling Pod, Remco and Jonas? Thanks sooo a lot!
I don’t have a lot to report besides that Tadej Pogačar (UAE Group Emirates XRG), Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Fast-Step) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) are safely tucked away within the peloton, spinning alongside and staying out of bother.
41km to go: The Complete Energies duo are head down, doing rotations and have upped their hole to 41secs.
Arnaud De Lie of Lotto-Caps has simply had a wheel change.
46km to go: Marc Soler (UAE Group Emirates XRG) simply crashed however it doesn’t look as if it’s something critical. He’s been given a recent bike from the crew automobile and is again on his technique to the peloton.
Paul has emailed in from south-west Oregon and asks:
The place’s your favorite place on at present’s stage for a backdrop shot because the riders go by? Is there a favorite group/city/metropolis you want on this stage?
Hope you’re effectively and really in France as an alternative of being just about reporting.
Sadly I’m not in France. At present’s stay weblog involves you from London. You ask an excellent query however I don’t know if I’ve a favorite spot. I do take pleasure in seeing the dense crowds cheering on the riders as they push up climbs, so maybe at present’s quick class 4 climb will give us some fascinating scenes.
56km to go: Matteo Vercher and Mathieu Burgaudeau (Complete Energies) have virtually a minute on the peloton now. Jayco-Alula’s Mauro Schmid is 13secs behind the bunch.
Listed here are some footage of followers and spectators alongside at present’s stage:
69km to go: The pair out entrance (Complete Energies’ Matteo Vercher and Mathieu Burgaudeau) have elevated their hole to 30secs.
78km to go: Matteo Vercher and Mathieu Burgaudeau (Complete Energies) have attacked and created a really slim 12sec hole. Maybe they have been bored and fancied spicing issues up a bit, or perhaps they’ve greater ambitions?
82km to go: Listed here are the outcomes from the intermediate dash in Vitré.
1. Milan, 20 pts
2. Merlier, 17 pts
3. Turgis, 15 pts
4. Girmay, 13 pts
5. Rex, 11 pts
6. Coquard, 10 pts
7. Simmons, 9 pts
8. Zimmermann, 8 pts
9. Van Sintmaartensdijk, 7 pts
10. Powless, 6 pts
11. De Lie, 5 pts
12. Burgaudeau, 4 pts
13. Wellens, 3 pts
14. Rickaert, 2 pts
15. Naberman, 1 pt
85km to go: Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) scooped up some extra factors, crossing the road on the intermediate dash. Mathieu Burgaudeau (Complete Energies) accelerated after the intermediate dash however Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) was on him.
87km to go: UAE Group Emirates XRG have radioed to replace Tadej Pogačar in regards to the Giro d’Italia Ladies 2025 outcomes. Slovenian skilled bike owner, Urška Žigart, who’s Pogačar’s different half, got here seventh in at present’s stage. It was gained by Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance coverage-Soudal), with Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Group ADQ) second.
We have now about 2km to the intermediate dash. To date, Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) has dominated these, grabbing 92 of his 132 factors in intermediate sprints.
98km to go: There’s been a few punctures; one for Jordi Meeus (Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and one for Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) that resulted in a rear wheel change.
103km to go: My lunch has arrived: a fantastically crafted fancy cheese, plum chutney and tomato sandwich. Among the riders have been tucking into their numerous snacks. Even the commentators on TNT Sports activities are discussing cheese tasting notes.
113km to go: Nonetheless no takers for an assault, so the peloton are fortunately biking alongside chatting. At 85.5km in, there’s an intermediate dash, with factors for the inexperienced jersey classification.
Additionally, it’s price noting that the riders have to attend an additional day this yr for his or her first relaxation day, resulting from Bastille Day on 14 July. They’re racing for optimum publicity on TV throughout the nationwide day of France.
Mark Renshaw has informed XDS Astana over the crew radio that they give the impression of being “lovely” using collectively on the TV protection.
120km to go: The lengthy string of riders are consuming up the kilometres by the French countryside. The typical pace of the stage thus far is 42km/h, though they have been clocking 60km/h on the slight downhills. Nonetheless, Intermarché-Wanty and Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) are nonetheless on the entrance of the bunch. Additional again the jersey wearers are spinning and chatting.
Glen has kindly prolonged an invitation for me to hitch Monday’s Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy stage. He’s emailed in to say he and a Canadian mate from again in schooldays will hop from the village of Tauves to Mont Dore, earlier than “mountain climbing up a beautiful route to close the highest of the beautiful and expansive-viewed final col (St Robert) with views down the hairpins, set earlier than the ultimate drag up the Puy du Sancy”.
That sounds idyllic however sadly, I will likely be glued to my pc stay running a blog that stage. Have enjoyable Glen and drop me an electronic mail on Monday.
Apologies, it seems that the e-mail hyperlink so that you can ship me your ideas, questions and predictions wasn’t proper. It must be up to date now, so when you’ve got already despatched an electronic mail, please attempt resending it to the e-mail handle now linked. Thanks!
135km to go: João Almeida (UAE Group Emirates XRG) is using at present however should be feeling very sore. Previous to stage eight, Almeida stated:
I’ve a damaged rib, lots of bruises and lots of pores and skin lacking. I virtually didn’t sleep so it gained’t assist and my finger can be painful so let’s see the way it goes holding the handlebar and every little thing.
140km to go: We’re 30km in and Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) and Jonas Rutsch (Intermarché-Wanty) are nonetheless driving the bunch at a tempo of about 41km/h.
I’m at present pondering some plans to go and see the Tour at a stage or two subsequent week. Is anybody else heading out to France for this race or the Tour de France Femmes?
It’s one other packed weekend of sport. You possibly can see what the Guardian crew have lined up with the protection information right here:
148km to go: It’s all nonetheless very calm within the peloton. After yesterday’s bumpy stage, the riders are taking the extra relaxed moments the place they will – who can blame them? Intermarché-Wanty and Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) are nonetheless driving the bunch.
One of many crew’s has radioed its riders to say that this area is understood for having a number of cows. I believe that sums up the extent of motion proper now.
153km to go: In response to the Tour race centre, the wind in addition to the warmth will make issues uncomfortable for the peloton at present.
Blowing from the north-east, will probably be of their faces for virtually the complete stage, at a mean pace of 15 km/h, slowing the peloton down.
159km to go: It’s scorching on the market. The temperature is 30C on the entrance of the race, the truth is. It’s additionally very uncovered as they journey by cities. A number of supporters are out for the riders, which is nice to see.
162km to go: At present, after Dunbar’s withdrawal, there are 176 riders within the bunch. They’re very a lot chilling as they roll by the picturesque French countryside. Intermarché-Wanty and Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) are up on the entrance of the pack.
Eddie Dunbar withdraws from the Tour de France 2025
Jayco Alula have stated that the Irishman Eddie Dunbar will withdraw from the Tour as he wasn’t capable of begin at present. On social media, the crew stated:
Following a crash within the last kilometres of yesterday’s stage, Dunbar has been struggling with ache in his wrist and a call was taken to cease, for his security.
The racing has begun!
171km to go: The flag has dropped however the peloton is staying collectively, casually rolling. No takers for an early assault but.
Third positioned on yesterday’s stage, the 22-year-old Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL) has caught the eye of Tour pundits as one to look at. The Scot spoke to TNT Sports activities about yesterday’s end result and in addition his hopes for Monday’s mountain stage:
On yesterday’s third place end:
It’s a bit of little bit of a suprise however these sort of phases go well with me effectively. To be behind Pogačar and Vingegaard yesterday provides you a little bit of confidence … It’s good to have the ability to pay the crew again.
Wanting forward:
[I’m going to] take it simple and attempt to get better. [I’m] wanting ahead to Monday, it must be one other one which fits me.
And right here’s a reminder of the GC rankings earlier than the correct motion begins at present:
The highest 10 on GC after stage seven
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Tadej Pogačar (UAE Group Emirates XRG), 25hr 58min 04secs
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Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Fast-Step), +54secs
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Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Resorts), +1min 11secs
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Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), +1min 17secs
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Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), +1min 29secs
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Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1min 34secs
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Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL) +2min 49secs
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Florian Lipowitz (Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +3min 2secs
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Primož Roglič (Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +3min 6secs
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Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) + 3min 43secs
At present’s rollout has begun
Stage eight of the Tour de France 2025 is beneath method. The peloton have rolled out from a Saint-Méen-le-Grand. There’s a 6.4km neutralised part earlier than the racing begins at about 1.25pm CEST/12.25pm BST.
Jonas Vingegaard’s followers are out in pressure forward of stage eight:
There’s been a medical replace on Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) and João Almeida (UAE Group Emirates XRG) from the Tour de France race centre:
Santiago Buitrago “didn’t have concussion, however has superficial abrasions and contusions to the appropriate thigh”. He ought to begin at present.
The identical goes with Joao Almeida. “It’s confirmed he has an uncomplicated left-sided rib fracture, in addition to some profound abrasions to his physique”, the UAE Group Emirates-XRG physician defined yesterday night. “Happily no concussion. We will likely be monitoring him rigorously going ahead. The following few days will likely be tough for him, however at this level, he ought to be capable of begin.”
Yesterday, Bahrain Victorious’s Jack Haig and Soudal-Fast-Step’s Mattia Cattaneo needed to withdrew from the Tour de France 2025. Haig’s crew confirmed that he had suffered a concussion after a crash, whereas Cattaneo’s crew stated he wouldn’t be persevering with resulting from accidents.
Listed here are all of the withdrawals thus far:
Stage one:
Stage three:
Stage 5:
Stage seven:
Right here is the route profile of stage eight:
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At present’s official race briefing comes from French ex-professional bike owner, Jean-Marc Marino:
Stage eight, Saint-Méen-le-Grand to Laval Espace Mayenne, 171.4km, [is] a principally flat stage with a last one kilometre climb at 2%. However it’s going to take a sprinter who’s not worn out from earlier days to win this stage.
The stage begins in Saint-Méen-le-Grand, birthplace of Louison Bobet, one in every of Brittany’s legends. Then we cross by Romillé, the house city of Gérard Huet, and Ballots, birthplace of Jacky Durand.
There will likely be an intermediate dash in Vitré, a end location of the Route Adélie. There’s a really slight bump, 15km from the end, however it’s solely 900m at 3.8%. Then a technical part by Laval leads into the finale, with a one kilometre uphill false flat in entrance of the Espace Mayenne. A reasonably recent sprinter will likely be wanted to take the win.
Stage eight: Saint-Méen-le-Grand to Laval, 171km
Right here’s a take a look at at present’s stage, Saturday 12 July: Saint-Méen-le-Grand to Laval, 171.4km, with William Fotheringham’s preview:
The beginning ideas its hat to the triple winner Louison Bobet, the baker’s boy from Saint Méen, then the route heads east; if the prevailing wind – westerly – does its factor, this will likely be very quick, however the situation is effectively trodden: early doomed break that includes lowly French groups cheered on by the native crowd – suppose Arkéa, Cofidis, Complete Energies – and a dash end for Philipsen and firm after 5 days’ ready.
The preview was written earlier than the Tour, so Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) gained’t be within the combine at present after having to withdaw from the race on stage three. It’ll be a day for the sprinters although, so preserve an eye fixed out for Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) and Tim Merlier (Soudal-Fast-Step).
Preamble
After a sequence of hilly phases over the previous couple of days, the peloton will head out at present on a 171.4km flat route from Saint-Méen-le-Grand to Laval, with an elevation acquire of 1,700m. There’s just one climb, the class 4 Côte de Nuillé sur Vicoin, coming 16km earlier than the end. It’s a brief climb at 900m with a mean gradient of three.8% so it shouldn’t be an issue for the sprinters who will likely be eyeing up a stage win at present.
With that in thoughts, sprinters resembling Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) and Tim Merlier (Soudal-Fast-Step) are anticipated to be within the combine, however there is also a shock from lesser recognized names. I’ll even be retaining an eye fixed out to see how Tadej Pogačar (UAE Group Emirates XRG), Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) sort out that quick climb earlier than the end. As at all times, I’d love to listen to your predictions so please do electronic mail them to me.
The peloton are scheduled to roll out at 1.10pm CEST (12.10am BST) and the end is estimated to be at about 5.04pm CEST (4.04pm BST).
If you wish to atone for yesterday’s stage first, right here is Jeremy Whittle’s stage seven race report from Mûr-de-Bretagne:
And a refresher of who’s who and the groups competing on this yr’s Tour:
