Up next
Author
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
Italy’s Jonathan Milan escaped a spectacular pile-up of flying bikes and bodies to win stage 17 of the Tour de France in lashing rain on Wednesday, extending his lead in the sprint points race.
Overall leader Tadej Pogacar and his closest rival Jonas Vingegaard (4 minutes 15 seconds behind) finished safely despite a mass fall 800 metres from the finish line at Valence at the foot of the Alps.
On the rain-slick roads at Valence once one rider had fallen, his interminable slide across the tarmac sent riders flying like skittles, leaving only 10 to contest the sprint.
“It was chaotic but incredible. I was expecting a bit of rain. We placed as best as we could and the guys put me in the best spot just before the fall,” said Milan.

This was a second stage win for Milan, who won Italy’s first stage since 2019 on stage eight.

A group of cyclists riding in the rain

Italian Jonathan Milan of Lidl-Trek won a sprint finish in the 17th stage of the 2025 Tour de France. Source: AAP / Dirk Waem/Belga/Sipa USA

The 24-year-old Lidl Trek cyclist currently stands strong with 312 points, positioning himself favorably to claim the green jersey in Paris. Pogacar trails in second with 240 points, with only two remaining sprints offering 50 points each.

Alpine links loom large

As the remaining 164 riders embarked from the sleepy Provence village of Bollene, the collective will of the peloton made for a slow approach of the Alps.
Billed as a sprinters’ stage on an unusually mild day the riders were also spared the 50 kilometres per hour winds that had been forecast.

But the rain deprived the stage of a full bunch sprint due to the horrid fall.

Attention now turns to three massive climbs, culminating with the ascent to the 2304m altitude Col de la Loze on stage 18.
Team UAE rider Pogacar seemed unperturbed.
“We can’t get arrogant, we need to keep it simple and stay quiet,” said the 26-year-old.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I have been beaten there before but I have good legs and maybe I’ll get my revenge,” he said.

Following ten days of undulating landscapes in the northern and western regions of France, where Pogacar and Vingegaard closely monitored each other while new talents took the spotlight, the true competition kicked off in the second week.
The defending champion Pogacar attacked the Dane Vingegaard on the first mountain, smacking over two minutes into him on one climb as things looked grim for the Slovenian’s rivals.
The following day, on a regular bike on a time-trial, Pogacar whacked another 40 seconds into the Visma star, who took over four minutes off the Slovenian on a single stage to win the 2023 Tour.
Another Slovenian rider Matej Mohoric of Bahrain Victorious said he was confident Pogacar would close out his fourth Tour de France win.
“He was born with a machine inside him, and he was born with the brain to use that machine,” Mohoric said.
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

Tragedy Strikes New Zealand: Families and Children Missing in Devastating Holiday Park Landslip

In the aftermath of severe rainfall, a landslide at a New Zealand…
Opposition leader Sussan Ley during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday 24 November 2025.

Ley Faces Uncertain Future Following Second Coalition Rift This Year

Less than a year into her reign, the federal Liberal Party’s first-ever…
Fish drying in Rodebay, Greenland.

Greenland Government Distributes Crisis Preparedness Pamphlets to Residents Amid Rising Concerns

The pamphlet urged Greenlanders to have enough to “fend for yourself for…

Turnbull Describes Coalition as ‘Smouldering Wreckage’ Amid Joyce’s Criticism of Littleproud

Former leaders of Australia’s Liberal and National parties have voiced strong criticism…
Sonny Worrall, from Newcastle Australia, described how escaped a caravan that crashed through a wall into the pool he was in during the Mount Maunganui landslide. Photo: Tony Wall/Stuff

Landslide at New Zealand Holiday Park Leaves Several, Including Children, Missing

An Australian tourist has described his terrifying escape from a landslide at…

Unbelievable Ocean Rescue: Cars Salvaged from Depths After Devastating Flash Floods

A Black Hawk helicopter has successfully retrieved 14 vehicles that were swept…
A landslide hit Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park at 9.30am on Thursday

Two Bodies Found After Landslide Hits Popular New Zealand Campsite; Search Ongoing for Nine Missing Tourists, Including Children

A frantic overnight search is underway for up to nine tourists missing,…
'That promise was broken': PM apologises over Bondi terror attack

PM Issues Heartfelt Apology Over Broken Promise After Bondi Terror Attack

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has directly apologised to the Jewish community for…

Trump’s $1.5 Billion Board of Peace Faces Scrutiny: Potential Irreparable Threats Unveiled

A Donald Trump-led organisation that seeks to facilitate peace in the Middle…
Colin Hay, the former frontman of Men at Work.

Songwriter Criticizes Utilization of ‘Down Under’ at Australian Rally Marches

Colin Hay, the former lead singer of Men at Work, has publicly…
Combative Prince Harry disputes having 'leaky' social circle in Mail trial

Prince Harry Challenges Allegations of ‘Leaky’ Social Circle in Mail Court Proceedings

Prince Harry adopted a defiant stance while testifying in his legal battle…
Three dead, town in lockdown after shooting in NSW central west

Tragic NSW Central West Shooting: Town Lockdown and Casualties Reported – Latest Updates

In a tragic incident in central west New South Wales, three individuals…