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Tour de France 2023: Kwiatkowski wins at Grand Colombier, Vingegaard retains yellow

Results 13th stage 2023 Tour de France

1. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) 2. Maxim van Gils (bel) + 0.47 3. Tadej Pogacar (slo) + 0.50 4. Jonas Vingegaard (den) + 0.54 5. Tom Pidcock (gbr) + 1.03 6. Jai Hindley (aus) + 1.05 7. James Shaw (gbr) s.t. 8. Harold Tejada (col) s.t. 9. Simon Yates (gbr) + 1.14 10. Adam Yates (gbr) + 1.18

11. Carlos Rodriguez (spa) + 1.20 12. Sepp Kuss (usa) s.t. 16. David Gaudu (fra) + 1.45 17. Pello Bilbao (spa) s.t.

GC after stage 13 1. Jonas Vingegaard (den) 2. Tadej Pogacar (slo) + 0.09 3. Jai Hindley (aus) + 2.51 4. Carlos Rodriguez (spa) + 4.48 5. Adam Yates (gbr) + 5.03 6. Simon Yates (gbr) + 5.04 7. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 5.25 8. Tom Pidcock (gbr) + 5.35 9. David Gaudu (fra) + 6.52 10. Sepp Kuss (usa) + 7.11

Race report Attacks are flying from the gun, but no break at kilometre 20. Then Van Gils, Pacher, Oliveira and Teunissen give it a go. The four are brought back before they push on with the front of the peloton. Kwiatkowski, Mohoric, Houle, Tejada, Shaw, Zimmermann and Latour are on board. As are Stuyven Bettiol, Asgreen, Wright, Petit, Mozzato, Bol, and Charmig.

The gap goes out to 1.30 minutes before UAE Emirates starts setting the pace in the peloton. It’s obvious that Pogacar’s men are aiming to keep the breakaway on a leash, but still, the lead widens to 4 minutes.

Bol and Petit drop from the breakaway on the Col de la Lèbe, while Latour loses contact on descent.

Pacher heads out alone on the early slopes of the Grand Colombier, but Van Gils, Shaw and Tejada gobble him up with 13 kilometres left to climb. Moments later it is former World Champion Kwiatkowski who comes across. The Pole opens up a gap of 1 minute. Meanwile, Pinot is dropped from the GC group.

Adam Yates accelerates inside the last 3 kilometres. Kuss closes down the gap with Pogacar, Vingegaard, Pidcock and Hindley in his wheel.

While Kwiatkowski rounds out his solo with a glorious triumph, Pogacar attacks in the GC group. Vingegaard follows him like a shallow, but when the Slovene keeps pushing he loses his wheel. Pogacar crosses the line just after Van Gils to finish in third. Not only does he gain a time bonus of 4 seconds, he also finishes 4 seconds ahead of Vingegaard.

The Dane retains the yellow jersey, but Pogacar is now only 9 seconds behind.

Another interesting read: route 13th stage 2023 Tour de France.

Tour de France 2023 stage 13: routes, profiles, more

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Tour de France 2023 stage 4 LIVE: Winner and results from sprint finish

The Tour de France continues with a second stage in succession likely to suit the sprinters as the race heads away from the Basque coast and into the heart of southwest France . A 182km route from Dax to Nogaro provides only one categorised climb, with the peloton’s fast-men lining up another dash for victory on the smooth tarmac of the Circuit Paul Armagnac.

Jasper Philipsen took the first bunch sprint of this year’s Tour in Bayonne yesterday , capitalising on a brilliant lead-out from his Alpecin-Deceuninck teammates to win stage three. But plenty of the sprinters in the field showed good legs in a twisting finale, including Astana’s Mark Cavendish, who finished sixth.

The Manx man arrived at his final Tour de France seeking a 35th stage win that would take him clear of Eddy Merckx as the most succesful stage-hunter in race history, and will hope to challenge for victory in Nogaro.

Follow all the latest updates from stage four below:

Tour de France 2023

Stage Three looks another for the sprinters, with only a single categorised climb on the 182km route from Dax to Nogaro

Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Jasper Philipsen took the first sprint stage of this year’s Tour in Bayonne yesterday

Mark Cavendish could contend for a record 35th stage win - how the Manx Missile became a Tour de France legend

Tour de France Stage Four - Result

16:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

1. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck)

2. Caleb Ewan (Lotto Dstny)

3. Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious)

4. Bryan Coquard (Cofidis)

5. Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazasqtan)

🏆 🇧🇪 @JasperPhilipsen wins in Nogaro! 🏆🇧🇪 @JasperPhilipsen double la mise à Nogaro ! #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/X06zq1v7N2 — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 4, 2023

JASPER PHILIPSEN WINS STAGE FOUR OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE

16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A Cofidis rider and one of Alexander Kristoff’s UnoX lead-out men hit the deck in those final few hundred metres - let’s hope everyone emerges from the Circuit Paul Armagnac relatively unscathed.

Luka Mezgec was sprinting in lieu of Dylan Groenewegen for Jayco-AlUla - was the Dutchman caught up in the crash that brought down Fabio Jakobsen?

JASPER PHILIPSEN WINS STAGE FOUR OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE!

16:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

BACK-TO-BACK STAGE VICTORIES FOR THE BELGIAN! Alpecin-Deceuninck have done it again!

It was mighty tight on the line, Caleb Ewan very nearly beating Philipsen on the lunge for the line. But Philipsen had just enough, again, to get there by half a wheel , with Mathieu van der Poel again instrumental with a superb lead-out.

16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s chaotic and crazy - there’s another crash, an Astana rider down, but it’s not Mark Cavendish. The Manx Missile is on Mads Pedersen’s wheel...

There’s Wout van Aert! He’s come from nowhere and is back on Christophe Laporte’s wheel. Into the final run-in, headwind blowing...

1.5km to go

16:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fabio Jakobsen hits the deck! A bad crash for the Quickstep man! He’s out of the running!

Matej Mohoric leads the way, effortless power from the talented Slovene. It’s all strung out - Christophe Laporte appears to be Jumbo-Visma’s Option B with Wout van Aert surely too far back to figure.

16:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A big right-hander and there’s the circuit entrance, Christophe Laporte looking around for Van Aert, who is out of position and some way back. The front of the field safely negotiate the turn into the race track grounds.

16:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jumbo-Visma are taking no chances - they bring Jonas Vingegaard right to the front wiith three teammates and will protect the defending champion through to that crucial 3km mark. Wout van Aert isn’t with them - he’ll save his legs for the sprint.

16:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cees Bol has got in front of Mark Cavendish, but the two Astana fast-men take the wrong wa around the roundabout, losing touch with their teammate at the front. Cavendish and Bol smartly latch on to TotalEnergies’ train, Peter Sagan’s teammates helping out the Slovakian’s old rival.

16:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Disaster for DSM! A rider goes the wrong way around an island and they’ll have to adjust on the fly, their carefully constructed train thrown off the rails. They slip back to reassess and reassemble.

Soudal QuickStep had been sitting further down the field but are starting to show at the front.

16:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

De Buyst pulls off, along with a couple of other longer-standing peloton leaders. Fred Wright is ready to take over from Pello Bilbao, the Basque abdicating at the front of the Bahrain Victorious squad. Astana are struggling to align themselves - Cees Bol has just lost touch with Mark Cavendish a little.

16:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jasper de Buyst is doing earlier work than usual for Lotto-Dstny, Caleb Ewan’s regular lead-out man hampered by a wrist injury and thus adjusting to a different role. Everyone just waiting, perhaps wary of going too soon in case there is a split to close after that pinch point at 3.1km to go.

16:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wout van Aert is second wheel in the Jumbo-Visma line - will it be third time lucky for the Belgian today after back-to-back frustration?

16:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

You can throw a blanket over the peloton at the moment - it’s all compact annd condensed, those setting the tempo starting to ramp things up. The riders come into a village, the dodging of road furniture causing a split or two and stretching things out a little.

16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Bahrain Victorious are also right at the forefront. Phil Bauhaus was very impressive yesterday, but does have a habit of being better when things are slightly more chaotic on the run in. I’m not sure he quite has the pure power to match some of the top sprinters in the field but if things do get messy around that track entry point, he’s the sort of guy who could capitalise on a reduced group.

16:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Team dsm-firmenich are ahead of Astana - they’ll be trying to set things up for Aussie Sam Welsford, 13th yesterday but in good sprinting form this year. He didn’t get much help from John Degenkolb in the Stage Three finale, but you’d have thought the German might be employed today.

16:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mark Cavendish looks calm and content, Astana happy to let others do the controlling as they lurk together further down the field, hugging the right of the road. After such an easy day, this will be fast and furious on reasonably fresh legs.

16:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And we’re all back together, Cosnefroy and Delaplace back in the pack and slipping away, their little adventure done.

The peloton’s big boys come to the front - 20km to that vital gate and the finishing circuit and the teams just take the opportunity to slow the pace and settle things down.

🏁25 km There is no more breakaway as we enter the final 25 km of the stage. Il n'y a plus d'échappée alors que l'on entre dans les 25 derniers kms de l'étape. #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/u7hWzsyTqn — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 4, 2023

16:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Neither rider is bothered about that single point - Arkea Samsic’s Anthony Delaplace takes it by default as the front man of the two-man lead group.

He and Benoit Cosnefroy immediately turn back to see how far away the peloton are. 20 seconds is the answer - the pair pull aside one another and prepare to be swept up by the technicolour wave.

16:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Neilson Powless is told on the EF Education-EasyPost radio that, unless the peloton naturally brings back the breakaway before the end of the climb, he shouldn’t bother going chasing on his lonesome. With just one point available, that’s entirely understandable - Anthony Delaplace and Benoit Cosnefroy appear set to get their own private duel at the top of the gentle slope on which both they and the peloton are now on.

16:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The chopper is up showing an aerial view of the finishing circuit for the first time. That final straight really is a sprint train’s dream, wide, open and even. But that little pinch point with about 3km to go on entry could really pose problems - it’s tight, and the peloton will be very, very tense at the stage.

Mathieu van der Poel and Tom Pidcock, regular cyclocross rivals, gather for a natter towards the rear of the peloton; Van der Poel was also having a long conversation with his favourite frenemy Wout van Aert earlier. It’s been a good day for catching up but we’re approaching the proper stuff now.

16:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A mechanical issue for Luis Leon Sanchez, with the veteran Spaniard picking awkwardly at his chain as he waits for assistance from his team. Sanchez is helped out by a member of Cofidis’ staff with his Astana team car slow to arrive. No panic from Sanchez, who really has seen it all before - he’ll have a role to play helping shepherd Mark Cavendish towards the finish.

16:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The breeze has just stiffened a touch - nothing to cause any undue bother, and probably nice and cooling on what sounds like a sticky day for the peloton in the humidity. Tim Declercq still in his familiar place as the peloton’s figurehead, bearing the brunt of that breeze, as the Belgian has done for so many kilometres in his career.

16:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Plenty of support for Cosnefroy and Delaplace as they sweep through French farmland. About eight kilometres until they’ll start climbing.

15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It appears the teams are indeed worried about that entry to the track that Lawrence mentioned - Israel Premier Tech have already warned their riders on the team riders that positioning will be key.

Caleb Ewan was another sprinter thrust in front of a microphone this morning after finishing third in Bayonne. “My legs felt good, I felt quite comfortable in those last few kilometres. I can take positives from that. The team did a great job getting me into position. I was happy with how the run-in went.

“It looks technical in the book, but I don’t think it will be as technical as it looks. I got through the first few days with a good feeling so hopefully today will be another good day.”

15:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

20km or so until the only climbing test, that fourth category Cote de Demu molehill. The peloton have just upped the pace in the last few kilometres, whittling down the lead of Benoit Cosnefroy and Anthony Delaplace to 35 seconds or so, which suggests the Normans may soon be brought back into the bunch

Report from Nogaro

15:41 , Lawrence Ostlere

Good afternoon from Circuit Paul Armagnac, where this stage four will finish in an hour and a half or so. The finishing straight here is wide and long – around 700m – and that is going to set up an exciting drag race for the stage win between the big sprinters. One point of note is the entrance to the track from the outside, which is a narrow funnel that will string out the peloton before they take to the circuit. There will be some jostling for position among the sprint teams here. Most people in the press room are expecting Jasper Philipsen to win again after his triumph yesterday in Bayonne. I thought Caleb Ewan looked good yesterday too so I fancy him, but we’ll see...

15:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Lidl-Trek’s Mads Pedersen, another potential contender later, fancies this racetrack finish to be slightly more difficult than it first appears, telling GCN before the stage: “It’s a pretty tough finish, a lot of corners and you really have to get it right. It’s slightly uphill, a false flat. It’s going to be a tough one.

“There will be a lot of guys for the sprint because it’s quite an easy day. Wide roads or not, it’s going to be hectic.”

The team buses have been out having some fun on the Circuit Paul Armagnac.

Think your bus exceeded track limits @INEOSGrenadiers #TDF2023 @MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/1rSGqt5F87 — EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) July 4, 2023

15:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The domestiques are holding the gap steady at the minute mark, with Alpecin-Deceuninck among those doing the work at the front as they try and set up Jasper Philipsen for another dash for victory later. The last pure sprinter with back-to-back Tour stage wins was Dylan Groenewegen in 2018.

15:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A minute now for Cosnefroy and Delaplace at the front. Neither team really has anyone who’ll have any shot in a sprint later, hence the freedom they’ve been afforded to get up the road.

💪 We have our first real attack of the day! 🇫🇷 @BenoitCosnefroy attacks, followed by 🇫🇷 @anthodelaplace ! 💪 Nous tenons notre première vraie attaque ! 🇫🇷 @BenoitCosnefroy est parti en compagnie d' 🇫🇷 @anthodelaplace ! #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/aJAWefzX8I — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 4, 2023

14:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s a Norman conquest! A pair of riders from northern France clip off the front soon after the sprint, Benoit Cosnefroy turning back to check Arkea Samsic’s Anthony Delaplace is coming with him. The pair’s two hometowns are about 20km apart in Normandy - and why not have a go with a mate on a day like this?

Cosnefroy can be a fun rider to watch - he’s a little bit Alaphilippe-ian at his best, punchy and full of panache. Perhaps he’ll fancy a spot on the podium later with a combativity award.

14:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

So to confirm that intermediate sprint result:

1. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) 20 points

2. Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) 17 points

3. Caleb Ewan (Lotto Dstny) 15 points

4. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) 13 points

5. Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) 11 points

And, in truly spiffing news, we’ve got a breakaway!

14:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A slight rise as they go under the one kilometre to go banner, but it’s flat from here. Alpecin still on the front, Biniam Girmay moving up on his lonesome for Intermarche Circus Wanty.

Caleb Ewan will sprint, sitting on Mads Pedersen’s wheel... but Jasper Philipsen takes it on the inside! A late charge from Bryan Coquard but the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider held on, benefitting again from another big turn from Mathieu van der Poel in his leadout train. He’s a useful ally, the Dutchman - 20 intermediate sprint points go Philipsen’s way.

14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The peloton take a big right-hander in the town of Labastide-d’Armagnac, and we’re officially into the second half of today’s stage.

Alpecin-Deceuninck’s leadout train looks well formed at the front, while Bora-Hansgrohe fancy this, too, with Jordi Meeus their sprinter this year.

14:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The sprinters’ teams are just starting to take control at the front as we begin the approach to that sprint point. Given the lack of excess energy required to get through the first 90km, you fancy a few fast-men to have a real go at earning some points, testing their legs ahead of the racetrack finish later.

100km to go

14:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fabio Jakobsen is beginning to get his legs warm, moving up to the front of the Soudal-QuickStep line ahead of a potential chase for points at Notre Dame des Cyclistes in 12 kilometres or so.

The chapel really is a fitting place for the intermediate sprint - it, as you can probably gather from the name, includes a cycling museum. Part of its charm is a rather lovely stained glass window, designed by Henry Anglade, a Tour de France stage winner in 1959.

14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The peloton’s average speed today is about five kilometres per hour slower than the race’s most conservative pre-stage estimate - this really is a proper pootle to Nogaro.

🚴‍♂️The average speed so far is 38 km/h after the first 2 hours 🚴‍♂️La vitesse moyenne est de 38 km/h après les deux premières heures. #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/K9KjSin8Qh — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 4, 2023

109km to go

14:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The lack of a breakaway does mean that there’s a full 20 points on offer to the first man across the line at the intermediate sprint. Mads Pedersen has been very active at those mid-stage sprint points so far in the race - if Wout van Aert doesn’t fancy another tilt at the green jersey, Pedersen probably has the right blend of sprinting speed, climbing legs and hardiness to take the points competition.

112km to go

14:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We’ll see what happens as we get nearer to the intermediate sprint, about 25km away, and then the sole categorised climb later in the stage, but if things continue in this manner, finding a suitable candidate for most combative rider might be difficult.

117km to go

14:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Those caught napping as that little acceleration threatened to cause a split are working their way back in through the back of the peloton. That attack would have jolted a few out of their slumber.

119km to go

14:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That really was out of nowhere. The peloton is all strung out in a line, with the cross tailwind probably not quite strong enough to threaten echelons but keeping everyone on guard, regardless. Simon Yates has to show his face towards the front, the maillot jaune making sure he’s well positioned just in case it does fracture further.

Van Aert eventually relents, and the sprinters’ teams fan out across the front to settle things back down again. But that was all rather jaunty - and rather needed.

120km to go

13:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

More than 60km covered today now.

Hang on! Wout van Aert fancies some fun! He’s putting the pace on at the front in a power-packed group at the front. It’s the Belgians again... and there’s a split!

Tour de France 2023 stage-by-stage guide

13:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stage-by-stage guide to the 2023 Tour de France route

127km to go

13:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, back to full focus on the Tour de France, where the peloton are weaving through the villages to the south of Mont-de-Marsan. This is proper French rugby territory, this - today’s route takes in the town of Condom, where talismanic number eight Gregory Alldritt grew up. The riders have just ridden past the Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Rugby, which includes a monument of rugby memorabilia, alongside more traditional religious iconography.

130km to go

13:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

She’s done it! Antonia Niedermaier just about manages to hold off Annemiek van Vleuten, taking Stage Five of the Giro Donne and the biggest win of her young career by a handful of seconds.

Van Vleuten’s second place will extend her advantage in the general classification.

🥇What a ride from 🇩🇪 Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon//SRAM Racing). Winning in Ceres! #UCIWWT #GiroDonne23 📸 @gettysport pic.twitter.com/Hz2wk00LKx — UCI_WWT (@UCI_WWT) July 4, 2023

136km to go

13:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Drama in Italy - both Van Vleuten and Longo Borghini have hit the deck! The Dutch race leader is soon back on her bike, but the Italian went flying into a mound at the side of a bend and stays down a little longer.

Thankfully, she’s able to get back in the saddle, but that was pretty scary for the Lidl-Trek rider. That might just seal it for Antonia Niedermaier - what a win that would be for the budding Canyon/SRAM star.

No change on the situation at the Tour. The peloton remains together nearly 50km into a soporific stage.

143km to go

13:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

In Italy, talented young German Antonia Nidermaier has launched a late flyer on Stage Five of the Giro Donne. She’s inside the final ten kilometres but has an advantage of about 30 seconds - but it’s pretty scary double act of Elisa Longo Borghini and Annemiek van Vleuten hot in pursuit.

The Dutchwoman, seeking to extend her overall lead over Longo Borghini, has just attacked.

146km to go

13:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Soudal-QuickStep are at the front of the peloton, Tim Declercq, nicknamed “The Tractor”, right at home tugging the bunch along past the hay bales. Onwards we go.

151km to go

13:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Philippe Gilbert is out on the motorbike today with the peloton, adjusting to life after retirement. The brilliant Belgian classicist is recalling when he and a group of compatriots embarked on a uninational attack a couple of years ago at Paris-Nice, a move masterminded by Oliver Naesen that ended up enlivening a similarly sleepy stage.

Could the six Americans in the race try something similar this afternoon on Independence Day? The USA’s Neilson Powless is certainly enjoying his Tour so far, describing wearing the polka dots as a “childhood dream”.

“The Tour de France is the biggest bike race in the world and I grew up watching it, with the polka dot jersey always riding at the front of the race,” EF Education-EasyPost’s Powless said after consolidating his competition lead yesterday. “Now I get to wear that jersey. I’ve fulfilled a childhood dream. We knew it was a possibility, yet not an easy one as we needed many things to come together.

The [Pyrenees] is a really big goal for the polka dot jersey but also for the stage win for the team as well. Luckily I’ve had teammate that have been resting up quite well and they are also looking forward to the Pyrenees,” Powless said.

“If I miss one break in the mountains it will be gone, and we are still a long way from reaching Paris. It’s very nice to be in the lead. I’m already in love with this polka-dot jersey. I fell immediately in love with it, indeed. Let’s see how long I can wear it.”

Another stellar day for Neilson in the dots. 🔴⚪️ He leads the KOM classification with 18 points after 3 stages. We finally arrive onto French soil after finishing the stage in Bayonne and looking forward to seeing those French fans bring the energy 📣💥 pic.twitter.com/C6q5K1mfhp — EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) July 3, 2023

157km to go

13:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The peloton are already seven minutes behind the slowest schedule issued by the organisers, to illustrate how unhurried proceedings have been so far. Why not fill the time by listening to the dulcet tones of The Independent’s Lawrence Ostlere ? Our man in France, currently making his own sedate way to today’s finish town of Nogaro, took on some readers’ questions before the Tour got started.

163km to go

12:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Over at the Giro Donne in Italy, things are rather more exciting - there’s 25km or so to go in another significant day of climbing for the women’s peloton, with race leader Annemiek van Vleuten attacking from a nine-strong front group. Van Vleuten hasn’t managed to get away but there’s still another third category climb to come before a final ramp to the finish. We’ll keep an eye on that one.

In France, Luca Mozzato of Arkea-Samsic, who might have been the only team tempted to have a go on their lonesome today, drops back to the medical car for a bit of strapping.

167km to go

12:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Hurrah! An attack! Michael Gogl of Alpecin-Deceuninck puts the power on and finds a follower in the form of Lidl-Trek’s Jasper Stuyven, two teams with amibitions to take the stage perhaps hoping to spark the stage into life.

It doesn’t work. All back in one bunch with few signs of follow-up offensives.

171km to go

12:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Well, we’re going to go east for a long time,” is the great Sean Kelly’s quip on commentary when asked where he thinks today’s stage might be going. A few riders are already nipping off to answer to nature’s call, with no action imminent.

Peter Sagan is having a catch-up with a few old Bora-Hansgrohe friends, while Mark Cavenish and Julian Alaphilippe share an embrace, rainbow bands on their arms denoting their status as former world champions, recalling their times together at Soudal-QuickStep. Easy going.

Jumbo’s Death Star, Pidcock’s dog and Basque pride: Inside the Tour de France’s Grand Depart

12:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jumbo’s Death Star and Pidcock’s dog: Inside the Tour de France’s Grand Depart

176km to go

12:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

You can completely understand the riders’ reticence to get up the road. The sole categorised climb on the docket today offers only a single point and is late in the stage, and there would appear almost zero chance of a breakaway getting any sort of race-winning rope with the sprinters’ teams likely to be in full control.

And so we wait. Bora-Hansgrohe Emmanuel Buchmann has a banana in his back pocket, ready to refuel a bit later. Simon Yates is having a chat with UAE Team Emirates colleague Matteo Trentin; Mathieu van der Poel has a relaxed chuckle behind them.

179km to go

12:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Racing in name only so far. The scenery won’t be quite as spectacular as yesterday’s romp up the coast to Bayonne, but there are a few attractive chateaux on the way to Nogaro, which the peloton might just have time to appreciate if this gentle pace continues.

181km to go

12:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Christian Prudhomme waves the flag and we are off and running on Stage Four of the 2023 Tour de France.

And...nobody’s moving. Not even a hint of an attack in the first kilometre of racing. It might be one of those days.

Tour de France - Stage Four

12:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Calm and cool as the riders approach the race start proper. Who fancies an early excursion and first crack at forming a breakaway?

12:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The peloton have begun the neutralised roll-out from Dax. It’s been a reasonably smooth start incident-wise - neither Enric Mas nor Richard Carapaz were able to start Stage Two after a crash on the opening day as both Movistar and EF Education-EasyPost lost GC men, but there are again 174 riders on the start line today.

12:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It is, of course, the fourth of July, which might excite Powless and the other five American riders in the field. I wouldn’t expect any of them to figure particularly prominent come the pointy end of the race, with none of the competing US sextet particularly noted fast finishers, but Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) is wearing the stars and stripes and has surprised the peloton on a motor-racing tack already this year. ..

Here’s a reminder of the full list of jersey wearers today. Laurent Pichon (Arkea-Samsic) has the coloured numbers after winning Stage Four’s combativity prize.

Yellow: Simon Yates (UAE Team Emirates)

White: Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)

Green: Victor Lafay (Cofidis)

Polka Dot: Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost)

12:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There’s just the one King of the Mountains point of offer today, so I don’t expect Neilson Powless to repeat his move from yesterday and get up the road in hopes of increasing his lead in the chase for the polka dot jersey. It’s safe on his shoulders for another couple of days at least.

It feels like a classic day for some of the smaller French teams to fill the breakaway, but there are slightly fewer candidates for that sort of exposure-driven exercise in futility than usual this year. Both UCI ProTour entrants (TotalEnergies and Lotto-Dstny) are here with hopes of semi-regular stage contention, the latter outfit particularly, while Uno-X and Israel-Premier Tech both arrive with strong units hoping to make the most of their wildcards.

Mark Cavendish speaks to Eurosport/GCN ahead of the Stage Four start

11:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Yeah, it was good,” the Astana sprinter reflects on yesterday. “Of course we want to win - sixth is sixth, but I was happy with my legs, how the boys were. There are a lot more opportunities and we are going to be positive moving forward from that. I’m really happy, actually.

“We’ll try again today. The final straight is better for me, you can feel the pedals underneath you.

“This stuff I can kind of enjoy. Once I’m on the bike, I’m on the bike doing the job. It doesn’t feel like there is a pressure, which takes a weight off my shoulders. I’ll go and do my best and see what happens.”

11:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Slightly peculiarly, the Tour de France won’t see another coastline for the remainder of this year’s race - we’re now inland all the way to Paris. Here’s our handy guide to every stage on the 2023 route, with all sorts of climbing tests to come as the peloton take on the Pyrenees, the Massif Central and the Alps.

11:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rider safety will continue to be in the spotlight throughout this Tour, particularly after the tragic loss of Gino Mader at the Tour de Suisse last month . Mader really is much missed - beyond his considerable talents on a bike, the Swiss rider did plenty of work for charity, with particular emphasis on the environment.

Bahrain-Victorious teammate Pello Bilbao has copied Mader’s pledge from the 2021 Vuelta a Espana, donating money for each rider he beats on each and all of the 21 Tour stages to a Basque charity that replants on deforested land.

Fabio Jakobsen hits out at Stage Three finish

11:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There’s been a fair bit of overnight criticism for the finish in Bayonne yesterday, with that bend inside the final few hundred metres nearly causing an incident as Wout van Aert launched his sprint to Jasper Philipsen’s inside. A jutting barrier didn’t particularly help matters, either.

Among those to question the safety of the run-in is Fabio Jakobsen, who came home fourth. Jakobsen was fortunate to survive a truly horrifying crash at the Tour de Pologne in 2020 and wonders if enough progress is being made to keep sprinters safe.

“I think we (the riders) and the Tour organisers need to look at the parcours and a finish like this,” the Soudal-QuickStep rider said to CyclingNews. “We all saw in the past what that can do, when a rider goes from one side to the other. If you create a chicane, riders want to go the shortest way, from left to right. For sure it’s not the nicest finish of the Tour.

“We can have long kilometres for finishes, just don’t use a downhill, don’t use a left, right in the last five hundred metres.”

10:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Philipsen’s new, largely unwarranted nickname wasn’t the only odd bit of Netflix’s Tour de France: Unchained series, which while entertaining enough, didn’t quite manage to hit the mark, as Lawrence Ostlere explains.

When cycling meets ‘war games’ – new Netflix docuseries revitalises well-worn format

10:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We’ve still a little while before the action gets going today - I’d expect things to again be quite gentle, though there may be more of a fight to get in the breakaway after that small two-man group got away comfortably yesterday.

Speaking of yesterday, that was Jasper Philipsen’s second consecutive win in a Tour bunch sprint, the Belgian following up his Champs Elysees triumph from last year. That Alpecin-Deceuninck lead-out train looked in good working order, with Mathieu van der Poel a vital carriage but Soren Kragh Andersen and Ramon Sinkeldam doing some handy freight carrying too. So much for “Jasper the Disaster”...

Jasper ‘disaster’ Philipsen rebuts Netflix nickname with stage three win

10:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s been a fun opening three days of this year’s Tour, with the Basque Country fans adding plenty of colour, turning out in force as the race weaved up from Bilbao to Bayonne. The one blight, unfortunately, has been the tossing of tacks, with all-too-regular punctures a feature of each of the last two stages.

‘You morons!’ Tour de France riders furious as tacks on road cause chaos

10:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

After yesterday’s twists and turns towards the sprint finish, the peloton’s fastest riders will hope for a much smoother run-in today at the Circuit Paul Armagnac. The open asphalt might just suit Mark Cavendish, with the Astana rider encouraged by a sixth-placed finish yesterday and continuing his search for that record-breaking 35th stage win.

Lawrence Ostlere spoke to some of Cavendish’s fiercest foes and closest allies to find out what makes the Manx Missile a Tour de France legend.

How Mark Cavendish became a Tour de France legend – according to rivals and teammates

Tour de France - Stage Four Route Map and Profile

10:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The sprinters will get another chance to go for glory at the 2023 Tour de France as Tuesday’s stage four offers a flat route and fast finish.

The 182km route begins in Dax, a small town in south-west France, before heading east across Landes to the region of Gers. There is an intermediate sprint in the middle of the stage for those hunting green jersey points, although it is unclear whether anyone in the peloton is dedicated to winning the points classification – the green jersey may well end up on the shoulders of whichever top sprinter makes it to Paris by default rather than design.

There is one categorised climb near the finish, the Cote de Demu (2km at 3.5%) and the latter half of the stage is a little lumpy, but not enought to deter any sprinters from reach the finish.

Stage 4 preview: Route map and profile of 182km from Dax to Nogaro

Tour de France 2023 – stage four

09:35 , Lawrence Ostlere

Follow all the build-up and latest updates from stage four of the Tour de France.

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Tour de France 2023: Matej Mohoric wins stage 19 after photo-finish – as it happened

A rapid day, peppered with attacks, which eventually lead to an emotional triumph for Matej Mohorič in a photo-finish sprint

• 21 Jul 2023 KOM classification: top five after stage 19
• 21 Jul 2023 General classification: top five after stage 19
• 21 Jul 2023 Points classification: top five after stage 19
• 21 Jul 2023 Top five on stage 19
• 21 Jul 2023 Matej Mohorič wins stage 19!
• 21 Jul 2023 Pedersen wins the intermediate sprint
• 21 Jul 2023 The racing has begun!
• 21 Jul 2023 Today's roll-out has begun
• 21 Jul 2023 Who’s wearing what jersey
• 21 Jul 2023 Asgreen sprints to thrilling stage 18 win as Vingegaard retains solid Tour lead
• 21 Jul 2023 The top 10 on General Classification
• 21 Jul 2023 Stage 19: Moirans-en-Montagne-Poligny (173km)

117km to go: Another two riders are joining the seven at the front. The breakaway group have now got 20sec on the chasing group. Tiesj Benoot, Jack Haig, Matteo Trentin are in there along with Alaphilippe and Politt.

120km to go: Alberto Bettiol has also had a go but has been swallowed up. There’s some strong players up in the front group and around six or seven riders have broken away. Politt, Alaphilippe and Pedersen are in there.

123km to go: Nils Politt has attacked. They’re all giving it a try today aren’t they? The question is though, which of the many attacks will stick? I hear there are about 40 riders off the back of the peloton, including Sagan.

124km to go: Couldn’t resist this picture of the cows and the riders. Hope you also enjoy.

129km to go: Alaphilippe and Küng have been caught. Astana Qazaqstan on the team radio tell their riders to “get in the right move” – that might be easier said than done.

132km to go: We’ve got splits. Pedersen and Lutsenko have been brought back by a group that includes Vingegaard and Pogacar. Adam Yates, though, is in the group behind them and about 20secs off getting back. Now Alaphilippe is off the front with Stefan Küng.

138km to go: While we wait to see what happens with the Pedersen-Lutsenko attack and whether any of the chasing riders bridge across, I’m going to share an email that has come in on the earlier talking point around Philipsen’s behaviour yesterday.

Nick from London writes: “On the Philipsen – Eenkhoorn incident yesterday (re: 11.51), I see Rachel’s point. On the other hand, I think the outcome of yesterday’s stage has undone some of the hard work Philipsen has put in over the two-and-a-bit weeks to keep the points jersey and shed that odd Jasper-disastre nickname.

“Plus it’s all made him look like, well, a bit of a plonker. I don’t think he’ll be doing it again in a hurry. Not sure anyone else will either – Pogacer (sic) and Vingegaard don’t strike me as the next Bernard Hinault, at least in terms of behaviour to their fellow competitors…Keep up the good work and enjoy the stage!”

Thanks Nick. I certainly shall try.

146km to go: Bryan Coquard has accelerated off from the chasing group. Pedersen and Lutsenko have a 15sec gap on the yellow jersey group and are now descending.

149km to go: Pedersen and Lutsenko are still hanging off the front and Lutsenko has just taken 1pt as he reaches the summit of the Côte du bois de Lionge. Elsewhere, Jack Haig had a wheel change and is still chasing to get back onto the peloton.

150km to go: Pedersen and Lutsenko have 6sec on the chasing group and they’re climbing up the Côte du Bois de Lionge.

151km to go: Pedersen and Lutsenko have formed a power duo off the front. There’s a group of seven chasing them.

154km to go: Alberto Contador has been telling Eurosport that the wind out there is stronger than anticipated. Sagan’s attack has been brought back. Who’s next to attack?

156km to go: I was in the midst of writing about how Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) and Axel Zingle (Cofidis) tried an attack and were reeled in, but then Sagan went and attacked. Who will come across to Sagan?

157km to go: Sagan has attacked!

159km to go: “Bonjour!” says Antony. Bonjour Antony. He’s emailed in to share his thoughts on how today’s stage might go: “There’s no way the sprinters can get it wrong again, right? That would be too much of a treat for the viewer. Maybe a couple of the older sprinters in a big breakaway. Basically, what I m saying is, with Cav departed, I would love to see Peter Sagan wheelie over the line in first place, one last time. It’s his last chance.”

160km to go: Campenaerts has been reeled in after 10km. The riders are now climbing and some big names are hovering near the front.

162km to go: A lot of riders have already expressed publicly their aim to get in the breakaway today (Nils Politt and Bryan Coquard among them), but Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen have been touted as favourites for the win today.

Campenaerts – the most combative rider yesterday – has a lead of around 3sec. Adam Blythe reports that the speeds have been very fast, with the riders descending at about 95kph.

167 km to go: I think I might be writing a lot about attacks and potential breakaways in the upcoming kms. There are a lot of riders hungry for it. Victor Campenaerts is off the front at the moment but the peloton is not far behind.

The racing has begun!

172km to go: The 151 riders have begun the race and there is already a group of four fighting for a breakaway.

Also, here is a little GC recap for you: Vingegaard, in the yellow jersey, leads the Tour de France with an impressive 7min 35sec over Pogacar. Adam Yates sits in third with 10min 45 sec and Carlos Rodriguez is in fourth position with 12min 01sec.

Today’s start line selfie is below , if you’re a fan of these. Look away, if you’re not. Also, for those watching the TV coverage, you may have spotted Eddy Merckx chatting and shaking hands with riders, including Vingegaard and Ciccone, at the start line. It’s Belgium’s national day so aptly Eddy Merckx is the guest of honour at the Tour today.

#StartlineSelfie Everyone is looking 🎉 Tout le monde regarde la caméra !🎉 #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/VRMHP8IFWL — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 21, 2023

Today's roll-out has begun

They’re off and having a lovely chat at the front by the looks of it. The peloton have a 7.7km neutral zone before the race properly kicks off.

For those of you who love a Tour de France stat:

🇸🇮 @TamauPogi just got his 100th distinctive jersey in 81 TDF stages! 🤍He's also worn the white jersey for the past 69 racedays, which is an all-time record! #TDF2023 https://t.co/4EhAs9HnWU — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 21, 2023

Here’s a little on Moirans-en-Montagne , where the peloton will be rolling out from today: “There has been a wood-working industry for centuries in Moirans-en-Montagne. The small Jura town has gained particular renown as the capital of wooden toys and is home to a museum that showcases this speciality, featuring 16,000 objects from all over the world.

“The town is also known by some Tour riders, specifically those who raced the 2016 edition, when it hosted the start of a FrancoSwiss stage that ended with Peter Sagan taking victory in Berne.”

I can’t speak for the wooden toys of the area but I can say that I visited the Jura earlier this year for some riding and it was brilliant.

Congratulations are in order for Wout van Aert and his wife! They’ve welcomed a baby boy and named him Jerome. The Jumbo-Visma rider announced yesterday that he was leaving the Tour de France to be with his wife Sarah, ahead of the birth of their second child. Welcome to the world baby Jerome.

JEROME. plus d’amour. 🤍 20/07/23. pic.twitter.com/WoBhZXqQZf — Wout van Aert (@WoutvanAert) July 21, 2023

One of the talking points from yesterday’s stage was – and continues to be – Philipsen’s reaction towards Pascal Eenkhoorn when he attacked to bridge across to the breakaway. If you missed it, Philipsen was seen to be blocking Eenkhoorn and was accused by of using a “bullying tactic” – you can see a glimpse of it in the below image.

Rouleur’s Rachel Jary has penned an opinion piece on the subject. She writes: “Speaking afterwards to Belgian media, Philipsen told Sporza that the move was not meant to be aggressive. “I wanted to sprint and I was fine with three leaders,” was his explanation. “It was certainly not meant to be bad or arrogant. But I didn’t want more riders in the front.”

“Regardless of his intentions, Philipsen’s actions shouldn’t have been made, and he deserves some sort of punishment from the judges for his behaviour. Even if this punishment doesn’t impact the stage result at all, it is necessary to set a precedent that this sort of behaviour is not welcome in professional bike racing. It’s understandable that Philipsen wanted to control the race, but this was more than that. Every rider who rolls off the start line deserves a fair opportunity to race, regardless of if you’re a stage winner or not.”

Jasper Philipsen bullying Eenkhoorn who tries to attack, not very nice. #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/l9T3MWxhnu — Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) July 20, 2023

What might happen today? Well, after yesterday’s success for the breakaway (and in particular, Asgreen), I imagine those that missed out will be hungry to replicate it. Also, as we approach the final stages of this year’s Tour, there are going to be riders without a stage win looking for their opportunity. Time is ticking. And then there’s Philipsen…he didn’t get the sprint finish he was after yesterday, so is he eyeing up today’s flat finish?

With only a few more stages left of the 2023 Tour de France , and with the yellow jersey competition pretty much sewn up (although, never say never), what kind of action would you like to see happen over the next few days?

🇩🇪 @PolittNils is ready to be in today's breakaway! 🇩🇪 @PolittNils est prêt à être dans l'échappée d'aujourd'hui ! #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/BrmqlI1hae — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 21, 2023

Who’s wearing what jersey

Yellow : Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 72hr 04min 39sec

Green: Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) 352pts

Polka-dot: Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) 88pts

White: Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates)

Asgreen sprints to thrilling stage 18 win as Vingegaard retains solid Tour lead

Stage 18 report: Jonas Vingegaard retained his overall lead in the Tour de France as Soudal Quick-Step’s Kasper Asgreen won stage 18 in Bourg-en-Bresse. Asgreen was one of four riders in the day’s breakaway to survive a thrilling pursuit by the speeding peloton, as the race left the Alps behind and entered the Rhone valley. Jeremy Whittle reports from Bourg-en-Bresse…

The top 10 on General Classification

Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 72hr 04min 39sec

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) +7min 35sec

Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) +10min 45sec

Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) +12min 01sec

Simon Yates (Jayco AlUla) +12min 19sec

Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious) +12min 50sec

Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) +13min 50sec

Felix Gall (AG2R-Citreon) +16min 11sec

Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) +16min 49sec

David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) +17min 57sec

Stage 19: Moirans-en-Montagne-Poligny (173km)

William Fotheringham on stage 19: Another flat stage, this time out of the Jura and into the Doubs. This should be another bunch sprint, but there’s a stiff little climb 26km out, which could well put the riders who are left in the sprinters’ teams seriously off their stride. So perhaps a reduced bunch sprint for a seasoned warhorse such as Mads Pedersen. Today’s stage is due to roll out at approximately 12.15pm (BST).

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Stage 1 | 06/29 Florence > Rimini

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As it happened: Pedersen wins Tour de France stage 8 as Cavendish crashes out

Mads Pedersen outsprinted Philipse in Limoges, but Cav's abandonment was the story of the day

Tour de France 2023 – Analysing the contenders

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Tour de France: Philipsen denies Cavendish, completes hat-trick in Bordeaux

Bonjour and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 8 of the 2023 Tour de France!

Today's stage is the second longest of this year's Tour at 200.7km from Libourne to Limoges as we approach the end of what has been a Tour de France first week for the ages. 

We're just under 45 minutes away from the neutralised start in Libourne at 12:30 CEST before the flag is dropped and racing gets underway at 12:45 CEST. The last time a Tour de France stage started here was in 2021 with a time trial that was won by Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma). On this occasion, it should be a day for the punchier sprinters with an uphill finish in Limoges, but Van Aert could still be one of the favourites for the day. 

Could today be a chance for Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) to make history? He was close yesterday and showed that he was well within reach of taking victory even with stage winner, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), aggressively pushing him off of Mark Cavendish's (Astana Qazaqstan) wheel in the run to the line. 

👋 Good morning from fan favourite @GrmayeBiniam 👋 Bonjour de la part du favori des fans @GrmayeBiniam #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/QUnY6iHsw4 July 8, 2023

A very smiley Cavendish is completing his pre-race interviews after his disappointing loss yesterday. A mechanical interfered with his ability to fully sprint on stage 7 as Philipsen overtook him in the final 100 metres to take victory. 

The riders are just completing sign-ons and the team presentation ahead of the day's racing. Take a look below at the profile for stage 8 which shows an opening flat 120km, before the undulations start to come thick and fast before our punchy finish into Limoges. Will any of the big sprinters be able to hold on? Or will it be a day for the puncheurs to fight for victory?

It's another hot day at the Tour with temperatures over 30 degrees at the start in Libourne. It will be a tough day out for anyone who gets into the break on our 200km test.

Stage 8 of the 2023 Tour de France is underway! We'll, of course, have a period of neutralised riding during the départ fictif before the flag is waved and the proper racing gets started. 

200.7KM TO GO

Stage 8 of the 2023 Tour de France is underway! We may see a more aggressive fight for the break today despite the last few flat and hilly stages seeing barely any interest with the parcours suiting it. We had a small delay over the km0 with Laurent Pichon (Arkéa-Samsic) having a puncture in the neutral zone. 

Straight from the gun the battle for the break starts. Every single team seems interested in getting into this move. Tour of Flanders winner, Kasper Asgreen (Soudal-Quick Step), and former World Champion, Rui Costa (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), were the first to bite and certainly won't be the last to try get into this break. 

There's a lot of quality interested in this break with Alex Kirsch (Lidl-Trek) up at the front with Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies) also fancying it. This fight may go on for a long time before the elastic snaps. 

Soudal-Quick Step are clearly wanting to get into this with any of their riders after an uncharacteristically disappointing first 7 stages at the Tour. 

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) is right towards the fore fighting for this breakaway move. If he makes it into this move, anyone with him should be incredibly worried. All of the sprinters teams seem to be letting riders try and make it into this move. Ben Turner (Ineos Grenadiers) is also well within this fight alongside veteran Edvald Boasson-Hagen (TotalEnergies)

We've got our next wave of attacks coming now. There's a tailwind today so we should be going at quite a rate of knots for the whole 200km of racing. 

188KM TO GO

Still no break, but the peloton definitely isn't easing up. The fight is still ongoing with multiple teams still trying to split it at the front in a group big enough that could make it. 

Here's a look back at our jersey wearers before the stage from left to right: Philipsen in green, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) in white, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) in yellow, Neilson Powless (EF Education-Easy-Post) in polka-dots and Simon Guglielmi (Arkéa-Samsic) with the gold combativity race number on his back. 

Average speed so far is up at 54km/h.

British national champion, Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) is trying his best top get into the day's break, but he won't like the sight of Pedersen up there with him as the Dane has bettered him in a Tour de France breakaway stage before - stage 13 of the 2022 race. 

Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Qazaqstan) has been very active at the front of the race. Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost) has had a mechanical issue at the back of the bunch and is getting back into the peloton now. 

Torstein Træen (Uno-X) has crashed over a divider in the middle of the road and this is his second crash of the race after hitting the deck in the Basque Country Grand Depart. Hopefully the Norwegian can get back in and hold on. 

Is that a tractor getting into the break? Tim Declercq (Soudal-QuickStep) is leading for now as Kirsch sets off to try and make it into the front. Anthony Delaplace (Arkéa-Samsic) and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) are the only two with Declercq for now. Lutsenko has unfortunately had a mechanical issue after his aggressive efforts to get into the break. 

The leading trio have around a 10 second lead with the peloton still full of riders who aren't happy having missed out. Wright has had another dig as has Pedersen, but they'll need more than ones and twos to commit if they are going to bridge the gap. 

Van Aert played no part in the sprint yesterday, but is eyeing up today's finale as one that he wants. Will Jumbo control the break for him?

🇫🇷 #TDF2023 Fast start of the stage so far. Wout wants to go for it today! 💨 pic.twitter.com/OHv3KPUNG0 July 8, 2023

170KM TO GO

Andrey Amador (EF Education-EasyPost) has made about 10 efforts, but hasn't made it. He's not given up yet and neither has Magnus Cort his teammate. Commitment is needed to bridge this now 23 second gap. 

It looks like this move is going to stick with a trio of riders up front for the day. Alpecin marked a few of the latter moves as they were happy with this composition. That's our electric opening 30km done and the break decided. We'll now see the gap go out. 

Gap to the break has gone straight out to 4:03 with the peloton settling into the opening half to the stage. Perfect time to grab a musette or go for a nature break. 

Here's Træen after his second unfortunate crash at the 2023 Tour de France. He's soldiered on and is back in the bunch. 

150KM TO GO

Van der Poel has been saying pre-race that he will be working in the finale for Philipsen once again today. The Belgian sprinter has performed well on punchy routes in his career, particularly at the Vuelta a España, where he's taken 3 stage wins in the past. 

No one told me Luka Dončić was at the start in Libourne today? Pogačar has been emulating his Slovenian compatriot at the start in Libourne. 

It’s a Pogi world and we’re all living in it. 🏀#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/f5lRJd772a July 8, 2023

Both the break and the peloton are still going incredibly fast and we're still seven minutes ahead of the fastest scheduled time for today. 

It's single-file in the peloton with Intermaché and Alpecin both committing a rider and Ineos lining up in full order close behind. 

Here's a look at our leading trio of Delaplace, Turgis and Declercq (L-R). 

We're closing in on our intermediate sprint for the day in Tocane-Saint-Apre. Philipsen is currently leading the green jersey competition on 215 points with Coquard in second on 127 points and Cavendish in third with 99 points. 

125KM TO GO

We've still got status-quo for the moment with the break now 4:56 in front. The gap should easily come down once those interested in the stage win begin their charge, but it's still unsure which teams will try and control it. 

Delaplace nails Turgis on the line for the 20 intermediate sprint points and the cash prize with it. The peloton will arrive here in around five minutes. There will be 13 points remaining as the top prize for those who sprint for it. 

Alpecin have their full train lined up for this intermediate sprint point. 

Philipsen is forced to throw his bike at the line as the Bora-hansgrohe duo of Van Poppel and Meeus came like a rocket to challenge the green jersey wearer. Philipsen took the 13 points with his bike throw and extends his lead. He shares a first bump with his Belgian compatriot after the sprint. 

Wow, we've had a move jump away after the sprint point. Jumbo-Visma find themselves on the front of the peloton as those who contested the sprint have formed a big gap. Astana, Alpecin and Bora all involved.

Astana and Alpecin have continued the move with Van der Poel in there. Van Poppel has had a mechanical and needed a wheel change. 

There are splits forming at the back of the peloton with an ever so slight crosswind blowing across the road. It's an effort Jumbo-Visma wouldn't have wanted to make. Those at the front are beginning to sit up as the pace calms again. 

We're all back together in the peloton. Jumbo-Visma clearly didn't want to let anything get away from them there and showed their possible intentions to ride fully for Van Aert rather than just getting Vingegaard home safe in yellow and letting Van Aert search for victory on his own. 

Here's a look at some of the lovely scenery we've passed on today's stage from Libourne to Limoges.

100KM TO GO

The breakaway's advantage has dipped below four minutes with Jumbo-Visma now working on the front through Dutch national champion, Dylan van Baarle. 

Here's what is left in store for the riders today: 70km to go: Climb - Côte de Champs-Romain (2.8km at 5.2%) 16km to go: Climb - Côte de Masmont (1.3km at 5.5%) 9km to go: Climb - Côte de Condat-sur-Vienne (1.2km at 5.4%) Finish: Uphill run to the line - Limoges

The break are doing a nice job for now and holding a 4:00 gap over the peloton with only Alpecin-Deceuninck and Jumbo-Visma committing to the chase. No sign of Lidl-Trek for Pedersen, Cofidis for Coquard or Intermarché-Circus-Wanty for Girmay. Perhaps they've had enough of Alpecin's well-oiled lead-out machine guiding Philipsen to victories and want to make them do as much of the pursuit work as possible. 

We're closing in on the first categorised climb of the day, the Côte de Champs-Romain (2.8km at 5.2%). Lidl-Trek have finally put a rider on the front to aid the chase. 

🏁77 KM3️⃣🚴‍♂️< 4'00 July 8, 2023

Almost on cue as we are about to get into the undulating half of the parcours, Intermarché, Trek and Cofidis have now all committed a rider at the head of the peloton to swap turns with Alpecin and Jumbo and try and reel in this breakaway trio. 

Lidl-Trek are really beginning to put the squeeze on the peloton now and are using their climbers in Juan Pedro López to make it as difficult on the front for Pedersen's stage win ambitions. 

Turgis crosses the KOM point first as the break mop up all the available points. Powless leads that classification by eight points from Felix Gall (AG2R-Citroën).

It's still Trek and Cofidis taking up the mantle in the peloton as the break's gap is falling, but certainly not plummeting, to 2:41.

We've had a crash at the back of the peloton and it's Mark Cavendish holding his right shoulder. Disaster. 

He's still down and it doesn't look good for the Manx Missile. He's been down before and hopefully it won't put him out of the race. It was the concertina effect that rippled through the peloton and put him on the deck with 60km left to ride. We've got no confirmation of anything yet, but he's not back on his bike either. 

Mark Cavendish has abandoned the 2023 Tour de France.  

The Brit looks despondent in the ambulance in this his final Tour de France. He'd been going well so far and will be gutted for it to end like this. 

As cruel as this sport can be at times, we must continue. Lidl-Trek, Jumbo-Visma, Intermarché-Circus-Wanty and Cofidis continue to set the pace in the peloton as they work at reducing the break's 2:23 advantage. 

Here's the announcement from a presumably gutted Astana Qazaqstan team who had set their whole team up to ride for Cavendish and chase that record 35th stage win. 

🇫🇷 RACE: @LeTour @markcavendish crashed 60 km from finish with Pello Bilbao and was forced to abandon. He left the race in the ambulance. Updates will follow as soon as there is more news#TDF2023 #AstanaQazaqstanTeam July 8, 2023

Here's a look at that heartbreaking moment for Cavendish. Not the way he wanted to go out at the Tour de France.

Our breakaway are still swapping turns nicely as we continue journeying north-east towards Limoges and into the final phase of stage 8. Can they make it to the finish with a 1:58 advantage? 

Asgreen has attacked from the peloton just as we were bunching together. The break out in front are struggling to hold off the charging peloton and the Dane has gone for a long one. He's a former Tour of Flanders winner, but this would be quite the effort. 

Soudal-Quick Step have had a poor start to this year's Tour and if you combine it with the the 2022 race, they now haven't won a Tour de France stage in France since Cavendish won into Carcassonne in 2021 on stage 13. They are clearly willing to try anything with to break that drought. 

We're getting a look at the bend which precedes the uphill finale in Limoges. It curves round to the left and those fighting for victory will want either want to hug the barrier on the left for the shortest line, or could go wide in the corner and try to carry more speed into the final rise to the line. 

UAE Team Emirates have took up the left side of the road to keep Pogačar safe in the run in. 

Declercq has been shaking his head at the cameras after a very difficult day in the saddle. His teammate Asgreen has build more than 20 seconds of an advantage over the peloton with 25km left to ride. 

Asgreen is about to be reabsorbed after his move off the front. The peloton is in control and motoring along now with the gap to the leaders now at 1:12. 

Meeus has been reportedly dropped from the peloton which may give Van Poppel the green light to go for his own sprint for Bora-hansgrohe. This finish would suit him on paper. 

Heating up now in the peloton with the gap below the minute mark. 

Cofidis are working for Coquard on the front. Remember the last time we finished into Limoges at the Tour was in 2016, where the Frenchman came painfully close to beating sprinting legend Marcel Kitten on the uphill rise to the line. He'll want another crack at that finish today. 

The peloton are absolutely flying up the Côte de Masmont (1.3km at 5.5%) as the break begins to splinter. Delaplace was the first to drop and now Turgis has left Declercq on the climb. With 43 seconds of an advantage, he'll struggle massively to stay away. 

Jumbo-Visma and Lidl-Trek are leading the charge in the peloton as we head north towards Limoges.

Van der Poel is tightening his shoes as he sits on the wheel of the Jumbo-Visma train. 

Its full focus for the yellow jersey holding team as they work for both of their goals: keep Vingegaard safe and give Van Aert as good a chance at victory as possible. Turgis remains 36 seconds in front. 

We've hit the final categorised climb of the day, the Côte de Condat-sur-Vienne (1.2km at 5.4%). This infernal pace will be putting lots of riders into difficulty at the back of the peloton. Pedersen and Coquard are hanging on for now, but this is full gas racing from the best team in the world.

Groenwegen is still in the top 10, this is a tremendous ride by the Dutchman. Pogačar is also sitting nicely in fifth wheel in case anything happens. 

Kristoff and Bauhaus have both been dropped alongside Jakobsen and Meeus. 

Turgis has knocked off his effort and been caught. Chapeau to him and the rest of the break for a great ride. 

Campenaerts has hit the front and attacked. He's got Wright on his wheel with Alpecin and Jumbo each putting a rider in the chase. 

Small gaps are forming, but with so little riders left at the front, no one is taking it up on the front for now except Jumbo. 

Crash at the back of the peloton including Landa and Simon Yates. The Brits chain is off and he's only juts been given a spare bike. He's got Chris Harper for help but this will be an almighty chase to get back in.  

Stef Crass (TotalEnergies) has gone down hard and looks badly injured on the side of the road. 

Alpecin and Trek remain in control of the front for Philipsen and Pedersen respectively. 

Stef Crass has abandoned the 2023 Tour de France. 

Skjelmose is still leading in aid of his Danish compatriot, Pedersen. We're going through the twisty turns along the river into the finish rise in Limoges. 

Trek have done a tremendous job so far but will want to finish it off. Cofidis hit the front for Coquard. 

We've still got to navigate the bend at 700 and the final rise. Here we go!

Pedersen has the best lead-out as we begin to kick up. Laporte is with Van Aert in their wheel. 

Laporte hits then front with Van Aert in his wheel. Here comes Van der Poel with Philipsen. 

Pedersen vs Philipsen, but the Dane takes it. 

STAGE FINISH

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) wins stage 8 of the 2023 Tour de France. Van der Poel did a great job, but Philipsen couldn't quite kick out of Pedersen's slipstream before he reached the line. Huge power sprint from the Dane after a perfect job from his team. 

Pedersen takes the win ahead of Philipsen, Van Aert, Groenewegen and Eekhoff. Absolute delight for Lidl-Trek. He gives a huge thank you to Kirsch, Stuyven and Skjelmose who played vital roles in that great Trek lead-out. 

Confirmation of a 47 second time loss for both Simon Yates (Jayco AlUla) and Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious). 

Here's what stage winner Pedersen had to say immediately after taking victory on stage 8: "We didn't know this morning if it would be a breakaway or sprint, but it looked like that the sprinter teams didn't want it to be a breakaway day so we stayed calm and, man the boys did a perfect lead-out day and even with the long sprint I still had the legs to finish it off." "I tried a few times but I realised that they wouldn't let us go so after that I just hung on and tried to save some energy." "When we passed I knew I won, but oh man it was a long sprint and this uphill kick was really painful so I was this close to sitting down with 50 metres to go, but I think Jasper [Philipsen] had to do a pretty good sprint from behind and make it that close." "Tough one, but it doesn't matter if you win with two metres or one centimetre." 

The average speed of today's chaotic stage was 47km/h even in the heat. We saw crashes throughout the day with Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) and Stef Crass (TotalEnergies) forced to abandon and Simon Yates (Jayco AlUla) and Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious) losing time in the general classification. Yates dropped two places to sixth overall and now sits 4:01 back on Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), but crucially also 2:27 behind Jai Hindley (Bora-hansgrohe) who he was racing for that third spot on GC. 

The story of the day, however, was Mark Cavendish being forced to abandon after crashing. His gutted teammate Gianni Moscon shed some more light on what happened in his race-ending crash: "We were in the back of the peloton just after the first climb of the day and yes there has been a crash in front of us and Cav had to break full gas and someone changed line and he just hit the rear wheel of the guy in front of him and went down." "It was quite bad. I stayed with him to see how he was, but he wasn't able to go on with the race so we had to go back in the peloton." "He was really suffering, there really wasn't much to say. Tried to see how it was and if I can help him to go back to the race, but he had to abandon." "It's a really sad day for us, the rest of the race was really sad. We tried to organise anyway to do something for the final then there was really a chaotic stage and a lot of crashes. I also got hit from behind and crashed myself, 5k to go." "The only thing I think now is about Mark [Cavendish] and I hope he isn't too bad."

After what has been a Tour de France opening week for the ages, tomorrow it comes to its almighty conclusion before the first rest day. It's set to be an historic day with the Puy de Dôme returning to La Grand Boucle for the first time since 1988. The volcano has played host to some famous battles across the years, none more famous than Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor in 1964 from the picture I'm sure you would've seen. Winners here include Fausto Coppi, Federico Bahamontes and Joop Zoetemlek (twice). Who will take victory on what is set to be a firecracker of a ninth stage in the Massif Central? Will it be Pogačar, Vingegaard or someone else atop the volcano? What is the Puy de Dôme? Inside the legendary Tour de France climb

That wraps things up for Cyclingnews' live coverage of a chaotic stage 8 at the Tour France. Stage 9 should be lit up by the GC teams as Vingegaard tries to defend or extend his 25-second lead ahead of Pogačar on the second summit finish of the race, so come back tomorrow for our live coverage. In the meantime, make sure to check out more of the great content being produced by the team on the ground at the race and read Peter Stuart's full report from the day's action. Tour de France: Mads Pedersen beats Jasper Philipsen to win crash-marred stage 8

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Tour de France 2023: our selection of the most beautiful mountain stages

Inspiration

Cycling Tourism Nature and Outdoor Activities Sporting Activities Mountains

Reading time: 0 min Published on 4 December 2023, updated on 15 April 2024

The most famous cycle race in the world, the Tour de France will be taking to the skies once again this year, as the 3,404km and 21 stages will take in all 5 of France's mountain ranges! The Pyrenees, the Auvergne volcanoes, the Jura mountains, the Alps and the Vosges massif... The peloton has plenty of pedalling to do and plenty of climbing to do. The grandiose landscapes, the high altitude finishes and the dizzying descents promise to be emotional highs. To experience the highs (and lows) of the Grand Loop, saddle up with our selection of the most beautiful mountain stages.

From Tarbes to Cauterets-Cambasque, the Pyrenees take centre stage

After 3 stages on the Spanish side, welcome to the French Pyrenees! First there's Bayonne and the Basque country, Dax and its thermal baths, Pau and its beautiful castle where King Henry IV was born. And then there's Tarbes, with its breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, its palm-lined streets (yes, yes!) and its gourmet markets. The riders of the 2023 Tour de France will need a lot of courage to tear themselves away from this gentle way of life and tackle the climbs of the Aspin and terrible Tourmalet cols . The reward for all this climbing is a finish on the Cambasque plateau, overlooking the charming resort of Cauterets, in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, where the Pic du Midi is enthroned. Want to cool off? Try the hike to the peaceful Lac d'Ilhéou . In a green setting with magnificent views and waterfalls, picnics and swimming...

The Puy de Dôme, a feast for the eyes in Auvergne

The ascent of Puy de Dôme, the undisputed star of the Auvergne, will be one of the highlights of the 2023 Tour de France! The youngest and highest volcano in the Puys chain has not featured on the itinerary for 35 years. Taking on this fearsome and majestic peak and finishing with a 360° view over the gentle rolling hills of the Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne is sure to motivate many a rider! But did you know that you can also climb this peaceful giant by mule track or on board the Panoramique des Dômes, a picturesque little cogwheel train? In just 15 minutes, you'll be transported to an altitude of 1,465 m, with the 80 volcanoes of the Puy range and the Limagne fault (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site at your feet. To complete a stage that's full of fireworks, the Vulcania Park is not far away! Who can beat that?

Breathtaking escapes in the Jura

Expect to fall under the spell of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne! Just 1 hour from Lyon and the Monts du Beaujolais, this small town in the Ain département, from which the Tour de France 2023 peloton will set off on 14 July, is a delightful medieval town. With its pink stone houses, flower-bedecked bridges and old market hall housing one of France's most popular traditional markets, it is also the gateway to the Dombes region, a paradise for fish farmers and birdwatchers with its landscapes of water and ponds. Take advantage of this area on foot, by boat or, ideally, by bike (it's flat!), before taking to the heights of the Montagnes du Jura , just a stone's throw away. The Pyramide du Bugey, from the top of which you can see Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva, is a must-see. The Tour de France riders attack it via the Col du Grand Colombier. At top speed. Take your time, the panorama is well worth it!

In the Alps, between lakes and legendary passes

It's doubtful that the riders will enjoy the view of Lake Geneva as they take their first pedal to the metal in the Alps at Annemasse on stage 14 of the Tour de France 2023. We recommend this one, though, as well as the view of Lake Annecy and its turquoise waters. Then it's time for a series of twists and turns and climbs to the legendary passes of the Alps, including the famous Col du Feu, an unprecedented climb for the peloton. At an altitude of 1,000 metres, in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area, the stage finish in Morzine won't dampen the spirits of those who love nature. In summer, the little village resort in the Alps is an ideal playground for lovers of outdoor activities : a stroll along the Dérêches river, swimming in Lake Montriond, canyoning or via ferrata... the hardest thing will be to choose.

From Gets to Saint-Gervais, Mont Blanc in your sights

For the first time since its creation, the Tour de France will start from Les Gets. Well-known to mountain bikers (the World Championships were held there in 2022), the pretty Alpine resort will kick off a 15th stage during which you'll need to have plenty of breath. The Col de la Forclaz-Montmin is on the programme. So allow yourself a break at its belvedere for a bird's-eye view of Lake Annecy before setting off again for Saint-Gervais, at the foot of Mont-Blanc. If you want to reach the highest peak in the Alps, this village resort, with its well-preserved heritage and traditions, is the ideal place to stop. And its thermal baths, renowned for the many benefits of their waters, set the well-being at the summit in a magnificent green setting.

Courchevel, star of the Alps

The regulars call it Courch' and they come and go summer and winter as connoisseurs, just like the Tour de France caravan which is visiting the Savoyard resort for the 4th time. Welcome to the pinnacle of top-of-the-range skiing in the Alps, at the heart of the Three Valleys ski area. Courchevel tops the list not only for the size of its ski area (Méribel and Val Thorens are its famous neighbours) but also for its range of hotels (no fewer than 5 mountain palaces , from the Apogée to the Cheval Blanc, not forgetting the K2 Palace, Airelles and the Hôtel Barrière Les Neiges) and restaurants. So, with its 6 hamlets and the surrounding area, the resort has a lot to offer. Take a selfie at the top of La Saulire, take a stroll down to Lac de la Rosière, cycle down the Bike Park, spend the night in the Lacs Merlet refuge or hike through the heart of the Vallée des Avals... You're going to love it!

Full steam ahead in the Vosges

Between the Lorraine plateau and the Alsace plain, the Vosges massif lives up to its reputation: a perfect blend of nature, wide open spaces, traditions and local produce, crafts and fine cheeses. Between the Grand Ballon d'Alsace and the Petit Ballon, via the famous Col de la Schlucht, the Tour de France 2023 will be taking a break from the normality of the mountains, with a new finish on the slopes of the Markstein, in the welcoming family resort of Marlstein Fellering. In the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park , you can enjoy bucolic hikes, tobogganing in the mountain pastures, paragliding with a view, and mountain biking (or mountain bikes) in a landscape of absolute serenity. And for those with a sweet tooth, July is the peak of blueberry season (and the season for tarts in the farm inns).

And (finally) Paris.... and the Olympics!

Will the riders be in Olympic form for the triumphant finish on the Champs-Elysées on 23 July 2023? Just one year ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris , the route will certainly provide a magnificent prologue to the sporting event. Starting in Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, all the future Olympic venues in the Yvelines département will be on the peloton's final route. A gigantic loop will join the Colline d'Elancourt (where the mountain bike events will take place), the Golf National in Guyancourt and the Château de Versailles , which will host the equestrian events and part of the modern pentathlon competitions. A prestigious line-up of finishers for a Tour de France 2023 that's sure to be at the top of its game!

Find out more:

More information on the route of the Tour de France 2023 and nearby tourist attractions

5 minutes to find out all about the Tour de France 9 mountain skills to discover

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