Up next
Author
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
Jonathan Milan has won stage eight of the Tour de France in a mass bunch sprint ahead of Wout van Aert and Kaden Groves.
Queensland sprinter Groves came his closest yet to winning a stage at the Tour de France but ran out of steam as he had to settle for third place in Laval.
On a day for pure sprinters and with no change at the top of the overall rankings, Lidl-Trek’s Milan was the first Italian to win a stage on the Tour since Vincenzo Nibali in the Alps in 2019.
Milan, 24, took over the top of the sprint points rankings and had been wearing the green tunic in place of Tadej Pogacar, who had earned the sprint and the overall leader’s yellow jersey by winning stage seven.

“It means a lot for me and also my country,” Milan said.

France: CYCLING TOUR DE FRANCE 2025 STAGE 8

In the eighth stage of the 2025 Tour de France, Italian cyclist Jonathan Milan and Belgian rider Wout van Aert raced head-to-head in a thrilling sprint to the finish line. Source: SIPA USA / Jasper Jacobs

“I was placed in a perfect position to take this victory.

“And I’ll try and win again tomorrow,” he said of Sunday’s flat stage also billed as one for the sprinters.
Pogacar retained the overall lead with Remco Evenepoel and Kevin Vauquelin rounding out the top three, with no change in the top 10 as the peloton kept its powder dry.
“It’s nice to have a day like this,” said 2020, 2021 and 2024 Tour winner Pogacar.

“It was a bit more relaxed and not necessary to push too hard in the sun all day.
“Especially as Monday is a brutal stage,” the Slovenian added of the eight classified climbs and many more besides in a stage loaded with opportunities on France’s national holiday in the Massif Central.
Pogacar, 26, also spoke of his teammate Joao Almeida who was hurt in a late fall Friday.
“It was good to see Joao finish the stage okay,” he said.
“As I said, Monday is a brutal stage but nobody is expecting Joao to kill himself for a bike race,” said Pogacar.
A day after complaining of the heat and fatigue Pogacar also refused to be drawn on his participation at the Vuelta a Espana, the third and final Grand Tour of the season.

“I have to think about if I want to spend another month away from home,” he said.

French hopes dashed again

Best young rider and Olympic champion Evenepoel hit a top speed of over 82kph (51mph).
“It was a nervy finale and I just wanted to stay up front in case of a fall,” said Evenepoel

“It was a shame for Tim (Merlier, his team’s sprinter) but he punctured in the run in,” the 25-year-old Belgian added.
The remaining 177 riders from the original 184 rolled through the Brittany countryside with the harvest ongoing a month early and colossal crowds on the roadside.
Under clear blue skies and 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit) heat there was little inspiration in the peloton to breakaway until late in the day.
French duo Mathieu Burgaudeau and Matteo Vercher attacked from 70km and the pair were only reeled in on the edge of finish town Laval after enthusiastic support on this Tour, which is based entirely on French soil but with no home winner yet.

The pair were awarded jointly the day’s combativity award for their efforts.

Tadej Pogacar France: CYCLING TOUR DE FRANCE 2025 STAGE 8

Slovenian Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates crosses the finish line of stage eight. Source: SIPA USA / Jasper Jacobs

The French Groupama-FDJ team is based in this region but their sprinter Paul Penhoet punctured 7km from home and failed to get back into the action in time for the finale.

Stage nine on Sunday heads south from Chinon to Chateauroux and is another flat affair with the focus on keeping hydrated in the heat and staying in the saddle.
The place to watch the 2025 Tour de France — live, free and exclusive — plus the fourth edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is right here on the SBS On Demand Hub.
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
You May Also Like
Award-winning British playwright dead at the age of 88

Renowned British Playwright Passes Away at 88

Renowned British playwright Tom Stoppard, celebrated for his witty and thought-provoking works,…
Dozens arrested in Port of Newcastle climate change protest

Mass Arrests at Port of Newcastle as Climate Activists Rally for Change

In a bold display of civil disobedience, climate change activists have once…

Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon Tie the Knot in Heartwarming Ceremony at The Lodge

Anthony Albanese has tied the knot with his fiancée Jodie Haydon at…
Rugby league great Nathan Wood (right) has opened up on being diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Football Star Courageously Shares Diagnosis of Severe Brain Disease with His Mother; Her Reaction is Profound

Former NRL athlete Nat Wood has courageously shared his struggle with thoughts…
Nicole Kidman 's views on marriage have been revealed in a resurfaced interview. Kidman filed for divorce from her second husband, Keith Urban, 58, in September, citing irreconcilable differences. Pictured together

Resurfaced Interview Reveals Nicole Kidman’s Emotional Insights on Divorce Amid Keith Urban Separation Rumors

Insights into Nicole Kidman’s perspective on marriage have come to light through…
The train station art was labelled 'AI slop'

Sydney Train Station Takes Down Controversial ‘AI Slop’ Mural Following Public Outcry

A mural at Sydney’s Redfern train station has been taken down after…
An aerial view of the burnt buildings after a deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories,

Investigation Launched into Corruption and Negligence Behind Hong Kong’s Most Devastating Fire in Decades

The tragic fire in Hong Kong, marking the deadliest in decades, has…
President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela greets his supporters during a rally to commemorate Indigenous Resistance Day on October 12, 2025 in Caracas, Venezuela.

Trump Urges Caution: Advises Treating Venezuelan Airspace as Off-Limits

President Donald Trump on Saturday said that the airspace “above and surrounding”…
Jetstar

Jetstar Passengers Face New Delays Amid Urgent Airbus Repairs

Thousands of Airbus aircraft are currently grounded due to a major recall,…

From Private Messages to Wedding Bells: The Rabbitohs Love Story Behind Australia’s ‘Royal Wedding

Like many modern relationships, it started with a slide into DMs on…
Melburnians flocked to the newly opened Melbourne Metro Tunnel today.

Melbourne Metro Tunnel Opens After Years of Delays: Navigating Initial Challenges for Commuters

This morning marked the debut of Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel to commuters, although…
ChatGPT is about to get a lot hornier

Exciting Updates: ChatGPT Introduces More Engaging Features

ChatGPT is on the verge of undergoing a transformation that could make…