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The Athlete’s Kitchen – Hydration and Electrolytes: When do they matter?

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By Nancy Clark MS RD CSSD — To listen to advertisements for pre-workout products, sports drinks, electrolyte replacers, and recovery beverages, you’d think every person who exercises needs to worry about maintaining optimal fluid and electrolyte balance for every workout. While there is no harm in vigilantly replacing sweat losses, please rest assured: most fitness exercisers and athletes who train for less than 60 to 90 minutes a day are unlikely to become dehydrated or depleted of electrolytes. That’s most of us!

Indeed, certain athletes should pay close attention to maintaining a proper fluid and electrolyte balance, including long distance cyclists, marathoners, triathletes, and other endurance athletes who train in the heat for extended periods of time. So should soccer players during a hot-weather tournament, competitive tennis players baking on sunny tennis courts, football players training in full uniform during hot weather, and athletes who simply sweat a lot. (Some athletes sweat more than others; sweat rates vary widely!)
Dehydration can happen during one bout of intensive exercise; other times, it sneaks in over the course of several days of hot weather. The longer your exposure to heat, the greater your risk of becoming dehydrated. That’s why soldiers, construction workers, and gardeners who are exposed day after day to hot weather should have a fluid plan that contributes to a need to urinate at least every four hours. The goal is to lose no more than 2% of your body weight during a workout. That’s three pounds of sweat for a 150-pound athlete (as calculated from pre- and post-exercise weigh-ins). Minimizing dehydration during exercise contributes to a far easier recovery. Post-workout, you’ll feel better and have more energy the rest of your day. No need to feel zapped!

The following hydration facts and fallacies can help you better survive training and competing in today’s hotter climate.

  • Being well hydrated makes exercise feel easier. Your body functions best physically and mentally when it is in fluid and electrolyte balance—not under-hydrated and certainly not seriously dehydrated.
  • When you exercise dehydrated, your muscles, heart, lungs, and brain function less efficiently. These negative effects get amplified by heat and your performance will decline. In a study with cyclists who biked for two hours in the heat, whose who drank too little and lost 2% of their body weight reported higher heart rate, perceived effort, and glycogen use compared to the 1% dehydrated cyclists.
  • Interestingly, many top marathoners lose 5% to 6% of their body weight (a gallon of sweat!) during a marathon. Would they perform even better if they could drink more? Seems likely.
  • As humans, we cannot adapt to dehydration, but we can adjust to the feelings of being dehydrated. That is, if from time to time you train underhydrated, you will become familiar with how it feels. The far wiser path is to learn to prevent dehydration by matching sweat losses with fluid intake. Practice doing this during training sessions!
  • Your desire to drink is controlled by feedback loops that make you feel thirsty (or not). The feedback is based on losses of water and sodium from the kidneys. Tanking up two hours before exercise allows time for the kidneys to process and eliminate the excess before you start to exercise. During exercise, kidneys conserve water and produce less urine; hence you’ll experience less of an urge to urinate.
  • The right balance of body fluids inside and around cells gets regulated by electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. The concentration of sodium in your blood actually increases during exercise because you lose proportionately more water than sodium—unless you overhydrate by drinking too much plain water during extended exercise. (Bad idea!) The more you train in the heat, the less sodium you lose because your body learns to conserve sodium (and other electrolytes).
  • An effective way to help maintain fluid and electrolyte balance is to consume about 500 milligrams of sodium 90 minutes before you start to exercise in the heat. That’s as simple as adding extra salt to pre-exercise oatmeal, eggs, or potato before you exercise in the heat. Doing so will help retain fluid, delay dehydration, and enhance endurance.
  • In general, commercial electrolyte replacers are more about convenience than necessity. Real foods like olives, pickles, and crackers with cheese after a sweaty workout can “work” as well as a commercial product. You just need to plan ahead and buy the salty foods so they are readily available (and that just might not happen…).
  • Athletes who sweat heavily might lose about 500 to 700 mg sodium in an hour of vigorous exercise. While a sports drink is handy during exercise, real foods offer more sodium afterwards. (Eight ounces of Gatorade can offer less sodium than a slice of bread.) Some options for replacing sodium losses include:
Commercial Food Sodium Salty food Sodium
Propel Electrolyte water, 8 oz 120 mg String cheese, 1 stick 220 mg
Gatorade, 8 oz 110 Beef Jerky, 1 oz 600
Gu Salted Caramel, 1 gel 125 Salt on food, ¼ tsp 600
Nuun, 8 oz 150 Broth, from one cube Herb-ox 1,020
  • In a study with subjects who drank either whole milk, skim milk, orange juice, or a commercial replacement solution, the beverages that best retained fluids were whole and skim milk. That’s because milk has a strong electrolyte content and rehydrates better than a low electrolyte beverage (i.e. plain water). Carbs, along with electrolytes, further stimulate rapid fluid absorption. For post-exercise recovery, chocolate milk is an excellent carb-electrolyte choice. Pus, it also offers protein to help repair and build muscle. And most importantly, it’s yummy. Let’s drink to that!

 

Tour de France Stage 16: The Giant’s Chosen One

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MONT VENTOUX, France (22 July 2025) – In the cathedral of cycling suffering that is Mont Ventoux, where legends are forged and dreams are shattered against the white limestone ramparts, it was the smallest man who stood tallest. Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step), all sinew and determination, carved his name into the immortal mythology of the Giant of Provence with a victory that crackled with the electricity of pure French passion.

The numbers tell only part of the story: 15.7 kilometers at 8.8% gradient, 165 riders departing Montpellier under the Mediterranean sun, one pneumonia-stricken Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) absent from his team’s ranks. But statistics cannot capture the poetry of what unfolded on these sacred slopes, where five Frenchmen have now tasted glory and where the 2025 Tour de France’s first victory for the host nation bloomed like a desert flower.

The Storm Before the Calm

From the gun, the peloton writhed like a serpent sensing danger ahead. Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), the last man to conquer Ventoux in Tour colors back in 2021, fired the opening salvo—a reminder that reputation carries weight in the currency of cycling warfare. Yet the Belgian’s early thrust was merely a feint, absorbed by a peloton that understood the day’s true reckoning lay miles ahead on the moonscape summit.

22/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 16 – Montpellier / Mont Ventoux (171,5 km) – Marco HALLER (TUDOR PRO CYCLING TEAM), Marc HIRSCI (TUDOR PRO CYCLING TEAM) – Photo © A.S.O.
22/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 16 – Montpellier / Mont Ventoux (171,5 km) – Marco HALLER (TUDOR PRO CYCLING TEAM), Marc HIRSCI (TUDOR PRO CYCLING TEAM) – Photo © A.S.O.

The real battle began at kilometer 11, when Marco Haller (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Marc Hirschi (Tudor) and Xandro Meurisse (Alpecin-Deceuninck) slipped the leash. Behind them, Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) transformed into a human shield for his team, his massive frame cutting through the wind as he attempted to cork the bottle of attacking ambition. But pressure, like water, finds its way through the smallest cracks.

What followed was cycling chaos at its most beautiful—a two-hour ballet performed at nearly 50 kilometers per hour that eventually saw 35 riders clear the field. Among them, like actors gathering for the final scene of a Shakespearean tragedy, were the day’s protagonists: the elfin Paret-Peintre, the irrepressible Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), and a supporting cast that read like a who’s who of stage hunting nobility.

The Filtering of Dreams

Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Tiesj Benoot (Visma-Lease a Bike), Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike)—the names rolled off like an incantation as the breakaway swelled to include cycling’s eternal optimists. But it was Tudor who provided the first act of selection, Matteo Trentin’s acceleration at kilometer 105 splitting the group like a blade through silk.

22/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 16 – Montpellier / Mont Ventoux (171,5 km) – Matteo TRENTIN (TUDOR PRO CYCLING TEAM) – Photo © A.S.O.

Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor), that mercurial master of the unexpected, joined the move alongside Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious), Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers), Enric Mas (Movistar Team), Simone Velasco (XDS-Astana), Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility), and Pascal Eenkhoorn (Soudal Quick-Step). Eight riders, temporarily united in their pursuit of glory, though Eenkhoorn’s tactical withdrawal to rejoin his teammates hinted at the deeper chess match being played.

At Châteauneuf-de-Pape—a name that carries its own weight in French culture—Abrahamsen claimed the intermediate sprint, the leading septet holding a gossamer-thin 25-second advantage over their pursuers and a more substantial 4’55” cushion on Politt’s peloton. When Wright punctured with 36 kilometers remaining, it was as if fate itself was refining the cast for the final drama.

The Yellow Jersey Under Siege

As the first ramps of Ventoux bit into tired legs, Alaphilippe did what Alaphilippe does—he attacked with the sudden violence of a thunderclap. Mas and Arensman responded, but it was the Spaniard who pressed on solo with 13 kilometers of suffering remaining, his Movistar jersey disappearing into the heat haze that dances perpetually above Ventoux’s lower slopes.

22/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 16 – Montpellier / Mont Ventoux (171,5 km) – Enric MAS (MOVISTAR TEAM) – Photo © A.S.O

Behind, in the chasing group, Paret-Peintre began his relentless acceleration campaign, each surge a small hammer blow against the cohesion of his companions. Only Healy could match the Frenchman’s pace, the Irish climber’s lean frame cutting through the thinning air with metronomic precision.

22/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 16 – Montpellier / Mont Ventoux (171,5 km) – Tiesj BENOOT (TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE) – Photo © A.S.O

But the real theatre was unfolding in the yellow jersey group, where Visma-Lease a Bike had transformed into an instrument of tactical precision. When Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) launched his first attack with 8.5 kilometers to the summit, it was with the methodical violence of a surgeon’s scalpel. Again and again the Dane surged, supported by the Herculean efforts of Benoot and Campenaerts, turning the screw on Tadej Pogačar’s (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) ambitions.

22/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 16 – Montpellier / Mont Ventoux (171,5 km) – Tadej POGAČAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG), Jonas VINGEGAARD (TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE) – Photo © A.S.O
22/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 16 – Montpellier / Mont Ventoux (171,5 km) – Tadej POGAČAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG), Jonas VINGEGAARD (TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE) – Photo © A.S.O

Yet the Slovenian champion, yellow jersey tight across his shoulders, responded to every thrust with the composure of a master swordsman. This was not the broken Pogačar of previous Ventoux encounters—this was a rider reborn, his legs carrying the confidence of overall victory within their sinews.

The Dance of Death

With four kilometers remaining, the convergence was complete. Healy and Paret-Peintre reeled in the fading Mas, their partnership a study in controlled aggression. Behind them, Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) and Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal Quick-Step) clawed their way back into contention, the Belgian’s tactical acumen evident as he took control of the group in the final kilometer—a human dam preventing the yellow jersey group from making contact.

22/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 16 – Montpellier / Mont Ventoux (171,5 km) – Ben HEALY (EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST), Valentin PARET PEINTRE (SOUDAL QUICK-STEP)

What followed was pure cycling theater. Healy and Paret-Peintre traded accelerations like boxers feeling for an opening, each attack met with a counter, each surge answered with steely resolve. The headwind that plagued the final sections added another layer of tactical complexity—timing would be everything.

In those final hundred meters, as the gradient pitched skyward one last time, Ben Healy made his move. The EF Education-EasyPost climber had chosen his moment perfectly, his sprint opening with the precision of a Swiss timepiece. For a heartbeat, victory seemed within his grasp.

But Paret-Peintre, that slight figure who had climbed with such metronomic excellence, found something extra in his reserves. His final surge, timed to perfection in the closing meters, was a masterclass in race craft—waiting, watching, then striking with the venom of a coiled serpent.

22/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 16 – Montpellier / Mont Ventoux (171,5 km) – Valentin PARET-PEINTRE (SOUDAL QUICK-STEP), Ben HEALY (EF EDUCATION EASYPOST) – Photo © A.S.O.

A French Renaissance

As Paret-Peintre crossed the line, arms raised to the Provençal sky, it was impossible not to feel the weight of history settling on his shoulders. The fifth Frenchman to conquer Ventoux in Tour colors, he joins Richard Virenque, Marco Pantani, Jean-François Bernard, and Eddy Merckx in cycling’s most exclusive club—though only the French names truly matter on this most French of mountains.

22/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 16 – Montpellier / Mont Ventoux (171,5 km) – Valentin PARET-PEINTRE (SOUDAL QUICK-STEP), Ben HEALY (EF EDUCATION EASYPOST) – Photo © A.S.O.

“As a Frenchman, it’s crazy to win a stage in the Tour de France,” Paret-Peintre would later reflect, his voice still thick with emotion. “This morning I didn’t really believe I could win, but you have to take your chances anyway. On Ventoux it’s even more unique. It’s a legendary place in cycling, even internationally, everyone knows Mont Ventoux.”

His tactical brilliance in the finale was evident in every word: “I knew the last few hundred meters were very steep, so I chose to wait for Healy to launch the sprint first and then try to overtake him.” It was the calculated gamble of a rider who understood that on Ventoux, patience is often rewarded.

The Battle Continues

Behind the stage winner, Buitrago completed the podium ahead of Van Wilder, while Pogačar crossed the line 43 seconds back—crucially, still ahead of his Danish nemesis. The time gaps were minimal, but in a Tour de France where every second carries the weight of destiny, Pogačar’s defensive masterclass spoke to his growing maturity as a Grand Tour champion.

“Jonas really tried today,” Pogačar acknowledged with the magnanimity of a champion secure in his position. “They rode quite well as a team, but luckily I had better legs than in 2021 and could cope with Jonas’ acceleration. My big focus was Jonas, and nothing else. Jonas and I will race each other until Paris.”

Vingegaard’s relentless attacks had found no chink in the yellow jersey’s armor, but the Dane’s tactical aggression served notice that the final week would be no procession. With Benoot and Campenaerts providing the kind of mountain support that wins Tours, Visma-Lease a Bike had demonstrated they remain a force capable of changing the race’s trajectory.

For Healy, the runner-up spot carried both satisfaction and the sting of what might have been. “I tried to get the jump on Valentin before that right-hand turn into the line,” he explained. “I managed to do that, but those last hundred metres are so hard… He had a better kick and beat me to the line.”

The Road to Paris

As the peloton rolled away from Ventoux’s summit, the 2025 Tour de France had found its French hero in the most unlikely of packages. Paret-Peintre, initially omitted from Soudal Quick-Step’s Tour roster before being called up to support Remco Evenepoel, had transformed disappointment into triumph on cycling’s most demanding stage.

“At first, I wasn’t scheduled to do the Tour de France, so I was very disappointed,” he admitted. “But then they brought me in to help Remco, so I had absolutely no goal of winning a stage. Then we had to regroup within the team and during the rest day, we said to ourselves that it was already good to have won stages and that we could keep going.”

The Giant of Provence had made its choice, anointing the smallest rider in the bunch as its 2025 champion. In a sport where the mountains never lie, Valentin Paret-Peintre had spoken the truth that all climbers understand: on the steepest slopes, it is not the size of the rider that matters, but the size of his heart.

With Paris still days away and the yellow jersey battle intensifying, the 2025 Tour de France had found its rhythm—a symphony of suffering, strategy, and sublime human achievement played out against the most beautiful backdrops in sport. The road ahead promised more drama, but for one magical afternoon on Mont Ventoux, France had its hero, and cycling had its poetry.

By the Numbers

 
27: FRANCE IS BACK!
Valentin Paret-Peintre is the first Frenchman to win in this Tour. He ends a 27 stages and 380 days drought, since Anthony Turgis won the 9th stage of the Tour 2024 in Troyes. Paret-Peintre claims his 3rd professional victory, again on an uphill finish after his triumphs at Bocca della Selva (Giro 2024) and Jabal Al Akhdhar (Tour of Oman 2025).

60: FROM POULIDOR TO PARET-PEINTRE
Valentin Paret-Peintre claims the 5th French victory at the legendary Mont Ventoux, 60 years after Raymond Poulidor’s first in 1965 (stage 14, already starting from Montpellier). Then came Bernard Thévenet (1972, stage 14), Jean-François Bernard (1987, stage 18, time trial), and Richard Virenque (2002, stage 14).

3: SOUDAL QUICK-STEP CAN WIN EVERYWHERE!
It’s Soudal Quick-Step’s 4th win this year, something the team hasn’t achieved since 2021. Valentin Paret-Peintre is also the team 3rd different winner, a first since the Tour 2015. Perhaps most impressive is that the team has managed to win two sprints (Tim Merlier in Dunkerque and Châteauroux), a time trial (Remco Evenepoel in Caen) and a mountain stage (Paret-Peintre today). This had never happened before!

4: HEALY THE FIGHTER
At just 24 years old, Ben Healy has been awarded a 4th combativity prize (Saint-Lary-Soulan last year; Vire Normandie, Le Mont-Dore,and Mont Ventoux this year). Only one rider of the peloton, Wout Van Aert, has more (5). Second today, Healy secured his 3rd podium finish in this Tour after his victory in Vire Normandie and his 3rd place in Le Mont-Dore. He is the first Irishman to achieve such a feat since Sam Bennett in 2020.

2002: QUICK-STEP, WHAT A STORY!
Valentin Paret-Peintre triumphed on the slopes of Soudal Quick-Step’s first victory, having achieved it here in 2002 with Richard Virenque. It was the team’s only success on a HC summit to date! The Frenchman also achieved the team’s first mountain stage victory since Julian Alaphilippe’s triumphs in Bagnères-de-Luchon, Le Grand-Bornand (2018), and Nice (2020), but each of those times, the finish was on the flat.

25: YOUNGEST VENTOUX PODIUM
Valentin Paret-Peintre, Ben Healy, and Santiago Buitrago have an average age of 25 years and 30 days. This is the youngest stage podium of the Tour 2025, and also the youngest in the history of stage finishes at Mont Ventoux! The previous record dates back to 1970 (26 years and 20 days for Eddy Merckx, Martin Van den Bossche, and Lucien Van Impe).

3: HAT-TRICK OF NEW WINNERS
Valentin Paret-Peintre becomes the 862nd different Tour stage winner. After Thymen Arensman (stage 14) and Tim Wellens (stage 15), he is the 3rd new winner in a row! Such a run hasn’t occurred since stages 11 to 13 of the Tour 2022, won by Jonas Vingegaard, Tom Pidcock, and Mads Pedersen.

3-7: COLOMBIA AND SPAIN IMPROVING
Santiago Buitrago (3rd) secured Colombia’s first stage podium since the start, the last being Fernando Gaviria’s 3rd place in Dijon last year. A little further back, Enric Mas equaled Spain’s best result, finishing 7th like his compatriot Ivan Romeo in Caen. The Spanish have not won in 44 stages, since Carlos Rodriguez’s victory in Morzine in 2023.

21: POIS-GACAR
Tadej Pogačar takes the polka-dot jersey from Lenny Martinez, who will wear it tomorrow since the Slovenian also holds the Yellow Jersey. He once again becomes the rider in the peloton with the most polka-dot jerseys, 21 compared to 20 for his teammate Tim Wellens.

4: VAN WILDER HIGHER THAN EVER
Ilan Van Wilder played a decisive role in his teammate Valentin Paret-Peintre’s victory, accompanying him for part of the stage and the final climb. Finishing 4th, the Belgian recorded his first top-5 finish in a Grand Tour road stage. His only top-5 finish at this level came was in the Vuelta 2022, but in a time trial.


Stage 16 Results

    • 1. Valentine Paret Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step) – 4h 03′ 19”
    • 2. Ben Healy (EF Education – EasyPost) – 4h 03′ 19”
    • 3. Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) – +0′ 04”
    • 4. Ilan van Wilder (Soudal Quick-Step) – +0′ 14”
    • 5. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – +0′ 43”
    • 6. Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | lease a Bike) – +0′ 45”
    • 7. Enric Mas (Movistar Team) – +0′ 53”
    • 8. Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) – +1′ 17”
    • 9. Primož Roglič (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) – +1′ 51”
    • 10. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) – +1′ 53”

General Classification After Stage 16

    • 1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – 58h 24′ 46”
    • 2. Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | lease a Bike) – +4′ 15”
    • 3. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) – +9′ 03”
    • 4. Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) – +11′ 04”
    • 5. Primož Roglič (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) – +11′ 42”
    • 6. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) – +13′ 20”
    • 7. Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) – +14′ 50”
    • 8. Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) – +17′ 01”
    • 9. Ben Healy (EF Education – EasyPost) – +17′ 52”
    • 10. Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers) – +20′ 45”

Jersey Standings after Stage 16

    • Yellow Jersey (Overall Leader) – Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
    • Green Jersey (Points Classification) – Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
    • Polka Dot Jersey (King Of The Mountains) – Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
    • White Jersey (Best Young Rider) – Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)

 

LeMonster Tackles the Tour! Reliving Greg LeMond’s 1984 Tour de France Debut

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By Dave Campbell — After Greg LeMond won the World Road Championship in 1983, cycling interest in America reached a level not seen since the heyday of Major Taylor and the Six Days at Madison Square Garden. 1984 was to be the year of his Tour de France debut. CBS Sports covered the 1984 Paris-Roubaix for the first time, with special interest in the man in the rainbow jersey, but he failed to finish. His spring had started well at Italy’s Tirreno-Adriatico where he notched three top four finishes in the road stages, second in the final time trial, and fifth overall. The classics, however, had been a bust with 9th in Ghent-Wevelgem and 15th in Flanders. He finally showed a glimmer of form in late April, finishing third in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and then winning a stage at the Clasico RCN stage race in Colombia before disaster struck.

Greg Lemond in the 1984 Tour de France. Photo © Cor Vos

After returning from ten days of high-altitude mountainous racing in Colombia, he crashed hard in a small race in the Netherlands. Rushed to hospital, he was placed in intensive care for a day with one doctor even fearing brain damage. He told New York Times columnist Samuel Abt “The doctors wanted me to stay out of riding for ten days, but that would mean no Dauphiné Libéré, which meant no Tour de France”. Three days later he was indeed racing at the Dauphiné, which he won in 1983, in preparation for his first Tour. Placing third in the mountainous stage five, he won the final time trial to finish third overall but well behind Colombian sensation Martin Ramirez and former teammate and four-time winner Bernard Hinault. But he was clearly ready for his first Tour and the French newspaper editors at L’Équipe listed he and 1983 Tour champion Fignon as the favorites. Hinault, who was coming back from injury and on a new team (La Vie Claire) financed by French celebrity entrepreneur Bernard Tapie, was expected to be their closest challenger.

The longest race LeMond had ever finished was the 1982 Tour de l’Avenir, which was eleven days long but time-wise less than a third of the length of the Tour. L’Américain had started the 1983 Vuelta but lasted only sixteen stages, dropping out with bronchitis. Despite his status as reigning World Champion, he was charting new territory and turned just twenty-three a few days before the start. Riding for Renault-Elf-Gitane, he would share leadership responsibilities with recently crowned French Champion Fignon, a potentially difficult proposition. Again, he told Abt “You can always use two leaders, at least for the first week. Then we’ll see who’s in the best position. I know I would work for him, and I think he would work for me. I’m going to do as well as I can. I want to do the best that’s possible. If I don’t succeed this year, I’ve got five or six more tries. At my age, if I finish in the top three to five, I’ll be happy. Not many people win it the first time out like Merckx or Hinault.”

Greg LeMond in the Tour de France 1984. Photo © Cor Vos

The previous best American finish in the race was twelfth by Jonathan Boyer the year before, and at that point he was the only American who had ridden the race. The 1984 Tour, the 71st edition, would begin on June 29 and run through July 22. Seventeen teams (seven French, two from Belgium, two Dutch, two from Spain, one from Switzerland, one from Italy, one from Portugal, and a team of amateurs from Colombia) of ten riders would contest 23 stages, 4020 kilometers, with just one rest day. There were five total time trials: a prologue, two individual tests, a mountain time trial, and a team test. There would be just one day in the Pyrénées mountains but a staggering four consecutive days in the Alps after the mountain time trial to La Ruchère.

LeMond was the only rider showing first-time jitters at the 5.4 km prologue from Montreuil to Noisy-le-Sec, forgetting to sign in and incurring a 75 franc fine. Held up by the American television crews that would hound him throughout the three weeks, he arrived late to the start ramp and was still tightening his toe straps as he received his countdown. Hinault won three seconds clear of Fignon, with LeMond in ninth twelve seconds further adrift. The enthusiastic LeMond mixed it up in the 148.5 km first stage field sprint into Saint Denis finishing ninth. The stage was won by Belgian Frank Hoste whose countryman Ludo Peeters took the yellow jersey. Greg’s teammate Marc Madiot won the 250 km, seven-hour stage two with a late attack as Dutchman Jacques Hanegraaf, a teammate of Peeters, took over the yellow jersey. Madiot today directs the French FDJ.com squad and his stage would be the first of a staggering ten wins by LeMond’s dominant team. Their next victory came on stage three’s team time trial where they defeated Panasonic-Raleigh by four seconds but Hanegraaf of third-placed Kwantum kept yellow.

Belgian Ferdi Van den Haute won the short Stage 4 into Bethune and Mathieu Van der Poel’s father, also on the Kwantum team took yellow with young LeMond now in sixth, just 19 seconds down. He had developed a cough, however, that would later turn to bronchitis and require him to be on antibiotics for nearly two weeks. On the 207 km stage five to Cergy-Pontoise, three “no hopers” were allowed to break clear and gain almost 18 minutes. Portuguese rider Paulo Ferreira won the sprint, but LeMond’s teammate and friend Vincent Barteau took the yellow jersey. He would not relinquish it until stage seventeen. Belgian Hoste won another sprint on stage six into Alençon with LeMond now eleventh overall. The 67 km stage seven time-trial to Le Mans was won decisively by Fignon on board his aerodynamic Gitane Delta low profile bicycle. Only sixteen seconds clear of second placed Sean Kelly, he put nearly a minute into Hinault. LeMond managed only tenth, over two minutes down and finished coughing, telling reporters “I didn’t expect to be beaten by that much”. He rose to eighth on GC but now trailed Fignon and Hinault significantly as well as his training partner and another race favorite Phil Anderson of Australia.

The following day’s flat stage into Nantes was won by another Renault man, Fignon’s close friend Pascal Jules with no change in the overall. Stage nine from Nantes to Bordeaux is the sort of thing that has been eliminated from modern tours…a 338-kilometer flat slog through the heat that took the riders nearly ten hours to complete. LeMond, known for his attention deficit difficulties told British Cycling Weekly that “Some of the older guys like those stages, but I would prefer a transfer. It’s so boring riding for ten hours on such a flat route. It’s not a physical thing, although you ache and get sore, but it’s longer than a flight across the Atlantic, and I get so bored doing them as well!” Dutchman Jan Raas won the day, but Renault had to chase hard when LeMond missed a split in the crosswinds, which was not ideal as the Pyrénées approached, nor were his sore feet. LeMond has flat feet and unique toes and developed a large corn that required a visit to the race doctor and nearly ended his race. Custom orthotics and shoes that spread out the pressure points didn’t exist in 1984, and all the riders used caged metal pedals with toe clips and straps which were especially problematic for Greg’s unique feet.

Eric Vanderaerden won another flat stage into Pau while Barteau maintained the lead as the Pyrénées loomed while LeMond visited the race doctor to have his feet treated. He suffered immensely in the seven-hour Pyrenean stage into Guzet-Neige that climbed 4500 meters. Dropped on the first climb, he showed wisdom beyond his years and didn’t panic, riding his own pace and limiting his losses with the help of teammates. He eventually finished 16th losing nearly four minutes to stage winner and King of the Mountains, Robert Millar. LeMond admitted he almost quit this day but wanted to honor coach Cyrille Guimard’s patience with him. He dropped to ninth, over four minutes behind Fignon, now clearly the team leader even though Barteau still wore yellow. Renault man Pascal Poisson won the next day’s flat stage while LeMond grabbed a bonus sprint to move up to seventh, but still trailed favorites Hinault, Fignon, and Anderson. The depth and strength of Renault were on display again when team helper Pierre-Henri Menthéour won the long hilly stage thirteen from Blagnac into Rodez. On another long and hilly transition stage the following day, LeMond was caught too far back when the field split and lost another dozen seconds to Hinault, Fignon, and Anderson. Greg rode strongly the following day, however, finishing eighth and moving up to sixth overall as the race arrived in Grenoble for the only rest day at the foot of the Alps prior to a brutal final week.

The stage sixteen time-trial saw Fignon trounce everyone, including the specialist climbers. He covered the 22 kilometers that climbed 1000 meters in just over forty-two minutes while LeMond, suffering from both his sore feet and breathing problems struggled to seventeenth nearly two minutes behind which dropped him back to eighth, now six minutes behind Fignon and three minutes back of Hinault. It was in the following days, however, that Greg began to recover and show his true class, growing stronger as the race progressed. Stage seventeen to l’Alpe d’Huez was only 151 km long but gained nearly 5500 meters. Colombian amateur Luis Herrera made history with his win at the famous ski resort while Barteau finally crumbled, losing ten minutes. Fignon dropped all the other contenders to finish second and take a yellow jersey he would never relinquish. Our American hero passed a fading Hinault on the final climb to finish sixth and leap up to fifth on the GC, 8:45 back of his dominant teammate.

Fignon had spoken publicly over the winter about his American teammate, predicting he would leave Renault for more money and during the evening at l’Alpe d’Huez, that scenario began to unfold. When LeMond stepped out to stretch his legs after dinner, he was approached by “a woman in a black leather suit, just like in a James Bond movie. She said Monsieur Tapie would like to see you, please come with me and so I hopped on the back of her motorcycle!” Arriving at Tapie’s chateau, LeMond was asked if he would “like to make more money than he ever dreamed of”. The dominance of his old team had made it abundantly clear to Hinault, who planned to retire at the end of 1986, that he needed a back-up leader and LeMond was offered a million dollars over three years. It was a significant raise from the $125,000 he was currently making at Renault, and he would eventually take the offer which subsequently improved the contracts for all riders.

On the following day’s queen stage to La Plagne, an Alpine monster climbing 6000 meters in 185 km, Fignon attacked on the final climb to win solo, over a minute clear. Behind, the rejuvenated LeMond attacked, claiming third on the stage just over a minute back and clawing back nearly two minutes from Hinault. He leapt up to third and took over the white neophyte jersey from Barteau, who lost over twenty minutes. The following day’s stage to Morzine was another brute, climbing 5500 meters in 185 km and the tired favorites all finished together behind solo winner Angel Arroyo of Spain. After winning the next day’s mid mountain stage, Fignon had over nine minutes on Hinault with LeMond a little over a minute further adrift. After another boring 320-kilometer flat stage, the 51 km final time trial was the only significant hurdle remaining. Fignon won it just a fraction ahead of Kelly with Hinault thirty-six seconds back and LeMond in fourth just forty-one seconds down. He would roll into Paris the following day in third overall, on the winning team and in the white jersey of best young rider. His final week was stunning, with experts wondering what the talented American would do at the Tour when healthy. After all, his coach Guimard noted he had effectively ridden his debut Tour “on one leg!”

Bibliography:

  • Abt, Samuel (1985) Breakaway: On the Road with the Tour de France. Random House.
  • De Vise, D. (2018) The Comeback: Greg LeMond, the True King of American Cycling, and a Legendary Tour de France. Atlantic Monthly Press.
  • Martin, Pierre (1984). Tour 84. Kennedy Brothers.
  • Moore, R. (2011). Slaying The Badger: LeMond, Hinault and the Greatest Ever Tour de France. Yellow Jersey Press.
  • Sidwells, C. (2015). “Cycling Legends: Greg LeMond” presented by Cycling Weekly. P. 30-36

 

Cycling West’s Summer 2025 Issue is Now Available!

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Cycling West and Cycling Utah Magazine’s Summer 2025 Issue is now available as a free download (10 MB download). Pick up a copy at your favorite Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Northern California bike shop or other location. Or join to get a copy of our next issue delivered to your actual mailbox!

Download the Magazine Now!

Cycling West Summer 2025 CoverPhoto: Action in the women’s field during stage 4, Anthony Lakes, in the 2025 Baker City Classic. Photo by Sean Benesh, seanbenesh. com
Cycling West Summer 2025 Cover Photo: Action in the women’s field during stage 4, Anthony Lakes, in the 2025 Baker City Classic. Photo by Sean Benesh, seanbenesh.com

Contents

  • Reno Bike Project Refurbishes Bikes, Trains Mechanics, and Provides Workstations — page 3
  • The Athlete’s Kitchen: Hydration and Electrolytes – When do they matter? — page 5
  • New Federal Paved Trails Planned in CA, NV, and AZ — page 6
  • Study: Protected Bike Lanes Drive Biggest Gains in Commuter Cycling — page 6
  • Tour de France Trivia — page 7
  • More Tour de France Trivia — page 7
  • New Utah Bike Paths Planned as Part of I-15 Project — page 7
  • Pennsylvania Uses Trail Counters to Guide Funding and Maintenance — page 7
  • Study: Protected Bike Lanes Drive Biggest Gains in Commuter Cycling — page 7
  • LeMonster Tackles the Tour! Reliving Greg LeMond’s 1984 Tour de France Debut — page 8
  • Anatomy of a Disc Brake — page 10
  • The Breaks: the Newest Trail in Cedar City — page 11
  • Bikepacking Around El Malpais National Monument — page 12
  • Round the Beav – and Beyond… — page 14
  • How the World’s Largest Group Ride Got So Big — page 15
  • Tour de France Trivia Answers (From page 7) — page 22
  • More Tour de France Trivia Answers — page 22
  • Trump-Era Rules Slash Environmental Reviews—With Mixed Impacts for Bike Projects — page 22
  • Parting Kiss – The Bicycle Art of Dave Flitcroft (Right) — page 22
  • ACCESS Act Aims to Expand 529 Use to Commuting Costs — page 22
  • Congressperson Moves to Reinstate Bicycle Commuter Tax Benefit — page 22

Event Preview: Jurassic Classic Mountain Bike Festival

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There’s a reason riders mark their calendars for mid-August in Wyoming — the Jurassic Classic Mountain Bike Festival is back, and it’s bigger, dirtier, and more joyful than ever. Held in the vibrant outdoors hub of Lander, the 2025 edition of the Jurassic Classic promises three days of trails, tunes, tacos, and trail tools, all set against the rugged beauty of the Wind River Mountains.

Whether you’re a first-timer just learning to balance on flats or a grizzled veteran of switchbacks and singletrack, Jurassic Classic delivers a long weekend packed with riding, clinics, parties, and good old-fashioned mountain town charm. And, as always, proceeds go straight back into the dirt — supporting the Lander Cycling Club’s trail stewardship and cycling advocacy work.

Friday, August 15 – Clinics, Competition & Kickoff Concert

The weekend kicks off at Central Wyoming College’s Alpine Science Institute — aka basecamp for Friday’s skills clinics and classic bike games. Packet pickup starts at 9 AM, with food trucks and drinks on-site by late morning. Clinics run all day, and there’s something for everyone: youth-focused sessions, gender-inclusive spaces, and PMBIA-certified instruction across skill levels. Beginners ride free with a festival pass.

Scenes from the Jurassic Classic. Photo by Carle Cote courtesy of Lander Cycling Club

Friday afternoon brings the ever-entertaining “Foot Down” and “Bunny Hop” showdowns, plus a brand-new Pump Track Jam to test timing and flow. When the sun sets, the scene shifts to Lander City Park for a free outdoor concert headlined by indie-Americana outfit SUSTO, with Bob LeFevre & the Already Gone opening. Camp for free in the park, drop your bike at the festival valet, and let the night roll on.

Scenes from the Jurassic Classic. Photo by Carle Cote courtesy of Lander Cycling Club

Saturday, August 16 – Sinks Canyon Shuttles & Shenanigans

Day two takes riders to the heart of Lander’s trail network with shuttles running from Bruce’s Parking Lot to key points like the Fossil Hill Trailhead and the freshly carved Sunnyside Trail. With local bike shops Gannett Peak Sports and The Bike Mill providing mechanical support, and Wind River Shuttle handling the lifts, riders can focus on what matters — flowy descents and panoramic views.

Scenes from the Jurassic Classic. Photo by Carle Cote courtesy of Lander Cycling Club

After a full day in the dirt, the festival returns to City Park for a community party that only Jurassic Classic can deliver. Expect food trucks, artist booths, vendor tents, and offbeat traditions like the Huffy Toss (you read that right) and the wildly competitive Strider Races. There’s an epic raffle, drinks from Sierra Nevada and Stiegl, and a chilled-out paint-and-sip session led by artist Stacy Wells (free with pre-registration).

Sunday, August 17 – Dirt Church at Johnny Behind the Rocks

Sunday is all about giving back. Riders are invited to roll up their sleeves and dig into trail work at Johnny Behind the Rocks, one of Lander’s premier riding areas. In partnership with the BLM, this “Dirt Church” is a chance to shape the future of local singletrack — literally. After a few hours of digging and a short group ride, volunteers are rewarded with a hearty lunch and some well-earned high fives.

Tickets and Details

Full festival tickets are available online starting May 1 and include access to clinics, rides, and events. Registration closes July 31, with limited swag available for late purchases made between August 1–16.

For tickets, clinic registration, and the full schedule, visit JurassicClassicFest.com. Updates are also posted on the event’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

 

82 Champions Awarded at 2025 Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships (Updated July 20)

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2025 USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships

Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Dates: July 14-20, 2025
Venues: Hollins University, Carvins Cove, Elmwood Park (downtown Roanoke), Explore Park


Day 1 (July 14) – Cross-Country Marathon (XCM)

Elite Champions
Cole Paton. Photo: SnowyMountain Photography
Cole Paton. Photo: SnowyMountain Photography
  • Elite Men 19+ XCM: Cole Paton (Cashmere, WA; Giant)
Hannnah Otto. Photo: SnowyMountain Photography
  • Elite Women 19+ XCM: Hannah Otto (Millcreek, UT; SCOTT)
Junior Champions
  • Junior Men 15-16 XCM: Park Bishop (Bella Vista, AR; OZ Development Team)
  • Junior Women 15-16 XCM: Bailey Brown (Bentonville, AR; OZ DEVO)
  • Junior Men 17-18 XCM: Luke Ozment (Golden, CO; Donovan Racing)
  • Junior Women 17-18 XCM: Sofia Tripcevich (Berkeley, CA; The Gravity Academy)
Amateur and Masters Champions
  • Amateur Men 19-29 XCM: Caleb Smith (San Clemente, CA; Team Baghouse)
  • Amateur Women 19-29 XCM: Erin Smith (Scotia, NY; R-Cubed / UMass Amherst)
  • Masters Men 30-34 XCM: Jacob Zimmerman (Palm City, FL; Z Boys Racing)
  • Masters Women 30-34 XCM: Sarah Arant (Charlotte, NC; Joyce Athletics)
  • Masters Men 35-39 XCM: Matt Dockins (Wesley Chapel, FL; Black Cat Racing)
  • Masters Women 35-39 XCM: Jamie Bookwalter (Montreat, NC; DARC)
  • Masters Men 40-44 XCM: Ethan Burns (Asheville, NC; Industry 9 / Gravelo Racing)
  • Masters Women 40-44 XCM: Ashley Green (Bella Vista, AR; BettySquad Elite Racing Team)
  • Masters Men 45-49 XCM: Jeremiah Bishop (Harrisonburg, VA; Bishop Racing)
  • Masters Women 45-49 XCM: Kristen Smith (San Clemente, CA; Team Baghouse)
  • Masters Men 50-54 XCM: Christopher Beck (Phoenix, MD; Annapolis Bicycle Racing Team)
  • Masters Women 50-54 XCM: Beata Wronska (Brevard, NC; Zerouno / Squatch Bikes / Gulo Composites)
  • Masters Men 55-59 XCM: Brian Schworm (Morehead, KY; Think Green Bicycle Face)
  • Masters Women 55-59 XCM: Elizabeth Sheldon (Washington, DC; CXD TREK BIKES)
  • Masters Men 60-64 XCM: Samuel Morse (Cohasset, MA; Corner Cycle – FinKraft)
  • Masters Women 60-64 XCM: Lynn Sims (Knoxville, TN)
  • Masters Men 65-69 XCM: Charles Miller (Brevard, NC; Earth Mountain Bicycle)
  • Masters Women 65-69 XCM: Tamrar Tabeek (Ramona, CA; Wolfpack/Braveheart Coaching)
  • Masters Men 70-74 XCM: Wayne Gorry (Clemson, SC; Hammer Nutrition)
  • Masters Men 80-84 XCM: Jim Hoffmeister (Brevard, NC)
Singlespeed Champions
  • Singlespeed Men XCM: Gordon Wadsworth (Shawsville, VA; Blue Ridge Racing p/b Cannondale)
  • Singlespeed Women XCM: Julie Young (Truckee, CA; Julie Young training)

Day 2 (July 15) – No Races


Day 3 (July 16) – Short Track Cross-Country (XCC) #1

Venue: Elmwood Park, downtown Roanoke

Champions
  • Amateur Women 19-29: Wren Capra (Steamboat Springs, CO; Avout Racing, Middlebury College) – Defending Champion
  • Masters Women 30+: Carla Williams (Roanoke, VA; Cardinal Bicycle)
  • Amateur Men 19-29: Benjamin Boroff (Boise, ID; Marian University)
  • Masters Men 30-39: Gus Michaels (Brevard, NC; Dirt Camp Racing / Fox Factory)
  • Masters Men 40+: Brian McCulloch (Yucaipa, CA; Big Wheel Coaching ENVE Shimano Cyclery USA)
  • Junior Women 11-14: Anna Morozowich (Scottsdale, AZ; Durango Devo)
  • Junior Men 11-14: Wes Mattson (Charlottesville, VA; Control Racing)

Day 4 (July 17) – Short Track Cross-Country (XCC) #2

Elite Champions
  • Elite Men: Bjorn Riley (Boulder, CO; Scott-SRAM MTB Racing) – Defending Champion
  • Elite Women: Savilia Blunk (Inverness, CA; Decathlon Ford Racing)
Under-23 Champions
  • Under-23 Men: Nicholas Konecny (Breckenridge, CO; Lexware Mountain Bike Team)
  • Under-23 Women: Bailey Cioppa (Durango, CO; Bear National Team)
Junior Champions
  • Junior Men 17-18: Mason Salazar (San Diego, CA; Rouleur Devo p/b DNA Cycling)
  • Junior Women 17-18: Ingrid Mcelroy (Danville, PA; Bear National Team)
  • Junior Men 15-16: Noah Scholnick (Williamsport, PA; Bear National Team)
  • Junior Women 15-16: Aida Linton (Missoula, MT; Bear National Team)

Day 5 (July 18) – Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) #1

Venue: Explore Park

Junior Champions (11-14)
  • Junior Women 11-12: Silvia Palomaki (Marquette, MI; Sisu Cycles Factory Racing)
  • Junior Men 11-12: Nolan Elkins (Ramona, CA; Elkins Bros Racing)
  • Junior Women 13-14: Anna Morozowich (Scottsdale, AZ; Durango Devo) – Second title of the week
  • Junior Men 13-14: Isaac Sproule (Medical Lake, WA; Team Booger)
Amateur and Masters Women Champions
  • Amateur Women 19-29: Meira Kalbas (Nashotah, WI; Broken Spoke Development)
  • Masters Women 30-34: Chelsea Richwine (Alexandria, VA; National Capital Velo Club)
  • Masters Women 35-39: Carla Williams (Roanoke, VA; Cardinal Bicycle) – Second title of the week
  • Masters Women 40-44: Ashley Green (Bella Vista, AR; BettySquad Elite Racing Team) – Second title of the week
  • Masters Women 45-49: Kristen Smith (San Clemente, CA; Team Baghouse) – Second title of the week
  • Masters Women 50-54: Denelle Grant (Richmond, VA; WWWR | WeeWheel Women’s Racing)
  • Masters Women 55-59: Elizabeth Sheldon (Washington, DC; CXD: Trek Bikes) – Defending Champion
  • Masters Women 60-64: Laurie Brandt (Montrose, CO; Bicycle Outfitters – Primal)
  • Masters Women 65-69: Tamara Tabeek (Ramona, CA; Wolf Pack/Mouseketeers) – Second title of the week
  • Masters Women 70-74: Zalene Corey (Kimberton, PA; Sturdy Girl Cycling Club & Race Team)
Specialty Categories
  • Men’s Singlespeed: Kerry Werner (Vinton, VA; Black Bibs Factory Racing Elite Ambassador Partnership Program) – Multi-time National Champion
  • Women’s Singlespeed: Kelly Catale (Pepperell, MA; Team KellCat)
  • E-MTB Men: Nick Mackie (Tallahassee, FL; Specialized) – Defending Champion
  • E-MTB Women: Ginny McFall (Greenville, SC; Zboys Racing/Atomik Wheels/Maxxis Tires/HandUp Co/Specialized Bikes)
  • Non-Binary: Alison Roth (Madison, NJ; Project Echelon Vanguard)
Amateur and Masters Men Champions
  • Amateur Men 19-29: Caden Frost (Charlotte, VT; Frost Beer Works)
  • Masters Men 30-34: Gus Michaels (Brevard, NC; Dirt Camp Racing/Fox Factory) – Second title of the week
  • Masters Men 35-39: Cory Peterson (Ellicott City, MD; Annapolis Bicycle Racing Team)

Day 6 (July 19) – Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) #2

Elite Champions
  • Elite Men: Riley Amos (Durango, CO; Trek Factory Racing – Pirelli)
  • Elite Women: Kelsey Urban (Kentfield, CA; KMC Ridley)
Under-23 Champions
  • Under-23 Men: Dan English (San Ramon, CA; TRINITY Racing)
  • Under-23 Women: Makena Kellerman (Escondido, CA; Bear National Team)
Junior Champions (17-18)
  • Junior Men 17-18: Rowan Nistal (Boise, ID; Bear National Team)
  • Junior Women 17-18: Ingrid McElroy (Danville, PA; Bear National Team) – Second title of the week

Day 7 (July 20) – Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) Final Day

Junior Champions (15-16)
  • Junior Men 15-16: Noah Scholnick (Williamsport, PA; Bear National Team) – Second title of the week
  • Junior Women 15-16: Aida Linton (Missoula, MT; Bear National Team) – Defending 2024 Champion, second title of the week
Masters Men Champions (40+)
  • Masters Men 40-44: Tristan Schouten (Plymouth, WI; Threshold Sports Carbon Repair)
  • Masters Men 45-49: Joseph Dabbs (Homewood, AL; Dirt Camp Racing)
  • Masters Men 50-54: Justin Thomas (Reno, NV; TCI Wealth Advisors)
  • Masters Men 55-59: Christopher Peck (Los Gatos, CA; LGBRC p/b Ben Dodge Realtor)
  • Masters Men 60-64: Chris Ziomek (Albuquerque, NM; Old New Mexican)
  • Masters Men 65-69: Michael Funk (Camp Hill, PA; Team Momentous)
  • Masters Men 70-74: Wayne Gorry (Clemson, SC; Hammer Nutrition)
  • Masters Men 75-79: Stan Ford (Temecula, CA; The Bike Shop) – Defending Champion
  • Masters Men 80+: Jim Hoffmeister (Brevard, NC) – Age 81

Notable Achievements

  • Multiple Title Winners:
    • Anna Morozowich: 2 titles (XCC and XCO in Junior Women 11-14)
    • Ingrid McElroy: 2 titles (XCC and XCO in Junior Women 17-18)
    • Noah Scholnick: 2 titles (XCC and XCO in Junior Men 15-16)
    • Aida Linton: 2 titles (XCC and XCO in Junior Women 15-16)
    • Carla Williams: 2 titles (XCC Masters Women 30+ and XCO Masters Women 35-39)
    • Ashley Green: 2 titles (XCM and XCO in Masters Women 40-44)
    • Kristen Smith: 2 titles (XCM and XCO in Masters Women 45-49)
    • Gus Michaels: 2 titles (XCC and XCO in Masters Men 30-39)
    • Tamara Tabeek: 2 titles (XCM and XCO in Masters Women 65-69)
  • Defending Champions: Multiple riders successfully defended their 2024 titles
  • Team Dominance: Bear National Team had exceptional performance across multiple categories

Event partners: Roanoke County Parks and Recreation & Tourism, Virginia’s Blue Ridge Sports, Roanoke Parks and Recreation, Roanoke Outside Foundation, Hollins University, Cardinal Bicycle, and Western Virginia Water Authority

Event sponsors: HOVERAir, Cuore of Switzerland, US Performance Academy, and TrainingPeaks

Next Event: The championships will return to Virginia’s Blue Ridge in 2026.

Congress Approves Mountain View Corridor Completion Act

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By Charles Pekow — A missing link in the Wasatch Front bike system can be built. Congress approved the Mountain View Corridor Completion Act, which transfers about 200 acres from the Bureau of Land Management within Camp Williams to the State of Utah so it can complete the roadway linking communities in Salt Lake and Utah counties. The National Guard uses the land, 26 miles south of Salt Lake City, as a training ground but the land in question is wilderness.

Meanwhile, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is building “four miles of a 12-foot-wide asphalt shared-use path. This includes four pedestrian bridges near 2100 North, two grade-separated crossings, and a pedestrian bridge over Porter Rockwell Boulevard,” UDOT spokesperson Wyatt Woolley stated in an email.

“The goal of this addition to the active transportation network is to improve connectivity with existing and planned trails in the area. The new trail will link to the existing 2100 North path and provide a connection to the future Jordan Narrows Trail. Additionally, we are constructing a box culvert for a future crossing and bridge that will connect the multi-use path to the trail network north of the project, enhancing regional access for pedestrians and cyclists,” Woolley added.

For more, see: https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/118th-congress/house-report/668/1

 

Tour de France Stage 15: When the Cat’s Away, Wellens Plays

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CARCASSONNE, France (20 July 2025) — After three grueling days in the Pyrenees that had left the Tour de France peloton battered and stretched, the rolling hills between Muret and Carcassonne promised respite for some and opportunity for others. It was here, on this deceptively difficult 169.3-kilometer stage, that Tim Wellens would finally step out of Tadej Pogačar’s considerable shadow to claim the finest victory of his career.

The Belgian had spent years as one of cycling’s most dependable domestiques, a man whose calendar revolved around ensuring others crossed finish lines first. But with his yellow jersey-wearing leader safely positioned in the bunch, Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) seized his moment with both hands, becoming the 113th rider in Tour history to claim stage victories in all three Grand Tours.

From the moment the flag dropped in Muret, it was clear this would be no ordinary transitional stage. The baroudeurs—those eternal optimists who live for days like these—sensed opportunity in the air. Mauro Schmid of Jayco AlUla and Jonas Abrahamsen of Uno-X Mobility, fresh from their stunning assault on Toulouse just four days earlier, launched the opening gambit. But they were merely the first notes in what would become a symphony of attacks.

Early Drama Sets the Tone

The opening kilometers delivered immediate drama when chaos struck at kilometer 17. A crash in the bunch sent bodies tumbling across the asphalt, and among the fallen were two riders with everything to lose: Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), sitting second overall, and Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), the surprising young German occupying third place.

“The start was super hard, with a lot of stress, and then there was a small crash and I was involved,” Lipowitz would later reflect. “I went down but it’s nothing. I was super happy that the team gave everything to bring me back.”

20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Florian Lipowitz (RED BULL BORA HANSGROHE) – Photo © A.S.O.

The sight of Vingegaard and Lipowitz chasing desperately behind a fractured peloton created immediate tension. Twenty-one kilometers behind, and with attackers launching salvos at the front, their Tour ambitions hung in the balance. It would take until kilometer 38—a nerve-shredding 21 kilometers of maximum effort—before they regained contact with the main field.

20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Neilson POWLESS (EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST) – Photo © A.S.O.

Meanwhile, at the front, the battle for breakaway inclusion reached fever pitch. Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), ever the opportunist, launched himself clear at kilometer 27, immediately drawing a select group of companions. Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike), Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost), Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious), and others bridged across, but the selection was far from final. Wave after wave of attacks followed, each threatening to be the decisive move.

20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Matej MOHORIC (BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS) – Photo © A.S.O.

The Break Takes Shape

By kilometer 34, fifteen riders had established themselves at the front, but even this configuration proved temporary. The group swelled and contracted like a living organism as riders fought desperately for inclusion. Ineos Grenadiers, determined not to be left out of the day’s action, continued pushing men forward.

“The plan was for any of us to go in the breakaway,” Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) would explain later. “We talked a little bit about me going in but it’s about feeling the race, go with your sensations, depending on what’s happening. It was a really tricky day, especially with the crash in the peloton. That really changed the dynamics of the race.”

20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Michael STORER (TUDOR PRO CYCLING TEAM), Quinn SIMMONS (LIDL-TREK) – Photo © A.S.O.
20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Michael STORER (TUDOR PRO CYCLING TEAM), Quinn SIMMONS (LIDL-TREK) – Photo © A.S.O.

The Côte de Saint-Ferréol at kilometer 72.8 provided the first real test, allowing Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek), Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), and Storer himself to bridge across. But it was the Sorèze climb at kilometer 86.6 that truly began to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Here, a breakaway within the breakaway emerged as Campenaerts, Wellens, Mohorič, Alexey Lutsenko (Israel Premier Tech), Powless, Simmons, and Storer pushed clear. Behind them, a massive chasing group of 28 riders formed, including such luminaries as Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), and van der Poel—riders whose presence transformed what might have been a straightforward break into something far more complex and dangerous.

20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Matej MOHORIC (BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS) – Photo © A.S.O.
20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Neilson POWLESS (EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST) – Photo © A.S.O.

The tactical chess match intensified as the kilometers ticked by. Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers) managed to bridge from the chase group at kilometer 86, followed by Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility) at kilometer 110, and then Alexandr Vlasov (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Warren Barguil (Picnic PostNL) at kilometer 113. Each junction changed the dynamics, each arrival shifted the balance of power in the lead group.

The Decisive Move

The Pas du Sant, cresting with 44 kilometers remaining, would prove to be the stage’s defining climb. Storer, sensing his moment, exploded from the front group on the early slopes. “I needed to go solo on that hard climb,” he would later admit. “It didn’t work out unfortunately. It was quite surprising because I did a really big effort from the bottom.”

20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Michael STORER (TUDOR PRO CYCLING TEAM), Quinn SIMMONS (LIDL-TREK) – Photo © A.S.O.

Simmons responded first, then Wellens and Campenaerts. The four reached the summit together, their gap over the chasers hovering around the one-minute mark. In the brief valley that followed, they were joined by Vlasov, Lutsenko, Barguil, and Rodríguez, creating an eight-man group that looked destined for a tactical finale.

But Wellens had other plans. The moment the junction was complete, the Belgian struck. It was a move of devastating simplicity—no hesitation, no looking back, just pure acceleration that left his companions floundering in his wake.

“I had to make a decision because I knew I wouldn’t win if I finished in a small group,” Wellens explained. “I think Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike) knew that we were the two strongest riders, so it was better to attack him on a section that was still climbing a little.”

A Leader’s Pride

Back in the peloton, Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) watched his domestique’s escape unfold with barely contained pride. The Slovenian had entered this Tour with singular focus—to defend his yellow jersey at all costs. Seeing one of his most loyal servants finally claim his moment in the sun stirred emotions that even stage victories of his own rarely evoked.

20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Tadej POGAČAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.

“I am so happy that Tim has won,” Pogačar said, his voice carrying genuine warmth. “He’s one of my best domestiques throughout the year. He works so hard in the classics, and during the training camps, and this month too for me to keep the Yellow Jersey. It was amazing to follow the last 45 kilometers of stage over the team radio as he was gaining time on his chasers. I am happier with his win than I feel when it’s me winning.”

The yellow jersey wearer also offered insight into the tactical nuances that had played out behind the early crash. “I knew Jonas had been caught behind, so both me and Tim tried to calm things down for him and the rest of the guys to bridge back,” he revealed. “The breakaway was being set up, and there were three Visma guys at the front. I was happy for one or two of them to go clear, but not all three of them—so I decided to always chase down the third guy.”

It was a telling admission of the psychological warfare that operates even within supposedly straightforward breakaway stages. Pogačar’s tactical acumen extended far beyond the mountains, encompassing every aspect of race control.

The Final Kilometers

As Wellens powered toward Carcassonne, his advantage grew steadily. Behind him, the chase group had reformed, but internal politics and tactical considerations prevented any coordinated pursuit. With two kilometers remaining, Campenaerts launched a desperate bid for second place, his late attack earning him a 28-second gap over the field sprint that would determine the final podium positions.

20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Tim WELLENS (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.
20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Tim WELLENS (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.
20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Tim WELLENS (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.

Alaphilippe, the eternal showman, timed his effort perfectly to claim third, ahead of van Aert and a host of other disappointed opportunists. The main peloton, led home by the sprinters’ teams, crossed the line six minutes later—a gap that spoke to both the commitment of the early break and the calculated disinterest of the overall contenders.

20/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 15 – Muret / Carcassonne (169,3 km) – Julian ALAPHILIPPE (TUDOR PRO CYCLING TEAM), Wout VAN AERT (VISMA – LEASE A BIKE) – Photo © A.S.O.

For Wellens, the victory represented the culmination of years of selfless service and tactical patience. “Obviously, it’s my best victory,” he said, the Belgian champion’s jersey on his shoulders adding extra significance to his triumph. “There’s nothing better than winning a stage of the Tour de France, and it means even more with the Belgian champion’s jersey.”

Looking Ahead

As the Tour de France headed into its final rest day, the complexion of the race remained largely unchanged. Pogačar’s grip on yellow remained secure, his 4:13 advantage over Vingegaard providing a comfortable buffer heading into the final week’s Alpine challenges.

“The second week usually features the easier mountains, and is prone for breakaways to succeed,” Pogačar reflected. “This year’s, though, has been the toughest I’ve ever ridden because of the conditions and the terrain. I’m happy with how things stand and the gaps are already big, but we can’t relax—there are seven days to go.”

Lipowitz, despite his early crash scare, maintained his hold on third place and the white jersey of best young rider. “For sure I’m surprised. I came here without any goal and being up there is incredible,” the German said. “I’m super happy and I hope I’ll have the same legs for the third week.”

In the points classification, Jonathan Milan retained his green jersey despite a difficult day. “I took the start with the goal of claiming as many points as possible for the green jersey,” the Italian explained. “I tried and followed many attacks, but it was too much for me. The terrain was pretty tough and the temperature didn’t help either.”

Meanwhile, Lenny Martínez clung to his polka-dot jersey as King of the Mountains, though his eight-point advantage felt precarious with Mont Ventoux looming on the horizon. “Now my biggest dream is to bring the polka dot jersey back to Paris,” he said. “I have an eight-point lead, which isn’t much, and I think Pogačar will win quite a few more stages, so I’ll need to score points in the breakaways.”

As the riders dispersed to their hotels for a well-earned rest, Wellens’ victory served as a reminder that even in an era of supreme Grand Tour dominance, cycling’s capacity for surprise and emotion endures. Sometimes the most meaningful victories come not from the superstars, but from those who serve them—loyal soldiers who, when their moment arrives, prove they were champions all along.

By the Numbers

113: VICTORIOUS AT ALL THREE GRAND TOURS
By winning a Tour de France stage for the first time, Tim Wellens becomes the 113th rider to have won at all three Grand Tours. The Belgian has twice triumphed at the Giro (stage 6 in 2016, stage 4 in 2018) and the Vuelta (stages 5 and 14 in 2020). The 112th to join this list was another Belgian, Wout van Aert, after winning a Giro stage last May.

109: EXPERIENCE MADE THE DIFFERENCE
At 34 years, 2 months, and 10 days, Tim Wellens is the 861st different Tour winner, and more importantly, the 17th oldest rider to win for the first time. He was participating in his 109th stage today, and had never achieved a single top-10 finish. His best result was a 13th place in 2017 (stage 3). Having joined the Tour in 2015 with the Lotto-Soudal team, before joining UAE Emirates XRG, Wellens has showed his attacker skills during his six participations.

55: FIRST FRENCH PODIUM WITH “ALAF”
In third place, Julian Alaphilippe is the first Frenchman on a stage podium this year. He also achieved his first podium finish since the first stage of the Tour 2021, won in Landerneau. A long wait of 55 stages, or 4 years and 24 days (1,485 days).

43: TIM THE ATTACKER
Tim Wellens launched his attack with 43 kilometers to go. One kilometer further than Ben Healy’s run to Vire-Normandie (stage 6), making it the longest solo victory of this Tour. Specific to this rider, who had also escaped with 41 kilometers to go when he won his Belgian national title in Binche on June 29.

3/4: THE LORDS OF CARCASSONNE
Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe (3rd) prevented Belgium from achieving a hat-trick. With Tim Wellens (1st), Victor Campenaerts (2nd), and Wout van Aert (4th), three Belgians finished in the top-4. Unprecedented since the 9th stage of the Tour 2018 in Roubaix (Greg Van Avermaet 2nd, Yves Lampaert 3rd, Philippe Gilbert 4th). The Belgian Wellens-Campenaerts 1-2 isn’t the first in Carcassonne: when the Tour last came here in 2022, Jasper Philipsen won ahead of Wout van Aert!

5/10: YOUNG ANG STRONG
With Florian Lipowitz (3rd), Oscar Onley (4th), Kévin Vauquelin (5th), Carlos Rodriguez (9th), and Ben Healy (10th), five riders of the young classification are in the top 10 of the general classification before the second rest day. Last year, four young riders finished the Tour in the top 10 (Remco Evenepoel 3rd, Carlos Rodriguez 7th, Matteo Jorgenson 8th, Santiago Buitrago 10th). It was a first!

33: VETERANS’ RESISTANCE
Tim Wellens, Victor Campenaerts and Julian Alaphilippe have a combined average age of 33 years and 255 days. This is the 9th oldest stage podium in history. A fact that contrasts with the one cited just above!

8: KEEP AN EYE ON JEGAT
Of all the riders who emerged from the peloton today, Jordan Jégat was the highest-placed in the general classification (11th). The Frenchman has made a good impression over the first two weeks. Finishing 8th, he earned his first top-10 finish in 2025 and improved on his previous best Tour result (9th, stage 17 in 2024).

1: STORER THE FIGHTER
Michael Storer is awarded his first combativity prize, which is also the first for the Tudor team, a newcomer to the Tour peloton. The Australian had already given the team its first stage podium by finishing 3rd in Vire Normandie (Stage 6) ten days ago.

5: BELGIAN PARTY
Tim Wellens took Belgium’s 5th victory in this Tour, as many as in 2021, 2023, and 2024. There have also been 6 in 2022. This makes 5 consecutive Tours in which Belgium has won at least 5 times. It’s the most victorious country over the last 5 years (26, compared to 21 for Slovenia), for a total of 495 victories. 


Stage 15 Results

    1. Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – 3:34:09
    2. Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike) – +1:28
    3. Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) – +1:36
    4. Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) – +1:36
    5. Axel Laurance (Ineos Grenadiers) – +1:36
    6. Alexandr Vlasov (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) – +1:36
    7. Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) – +1:36
    8. Julien Jégat (TotalEnergies) – +1:36
    9. Michael Valgren (EF Education-EasyPost) – +1:36
    10. Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) – +1:36

General Classification After Stage 15

    1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – 54:20:44
    2. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) – +4:13
    3. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) – +7:53
    4. Oscar Onley (Picnic PostNL) – +9:18
    5. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) – +10:21
    6. Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) – +10:34
    7. Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) – +12:00
    8. Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) – +12:33
    9. Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers) – +18:26
    10. Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) – +18:41

Jersey Standings after Stage 15

    • Yellow Jersey (Overall Leader) – Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
    • Green Jersey (Points Classification) – Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
    • Polka Dot Jersey (King Of The Mountains) – Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious)
    • White Jersey (Best Young Rider) – Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)
    •  

Tour De France Stage 14: Arensman Resists Pogačar’s Rule

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Dutch climber holds off yellow jersey in stunning solo raid through the Pyrenees

LUCHON-SUPERBAGNÈRES, France (19 July 2025) — In the theatre of the Pyrenees, where legends are forged and dreams are shattered, Thymen Arensman wrote himself into Tour de France folklore with a performance of breathtaking audacity and tactical perfection. The 24-year-old Dutchman, riding his maiden Tour for Ineos Grenadiers, held off the mightiest mountain train in professional cycling for 37 kilometers of pure suffering to claim victory atop Superbagnères.

Behind him, the script unfolded as expected: Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard trading vicious attacks in the rarified air of the final climb, the Slovenian ultimately prevailing by four precious seconds to extend his yellow jersey advantage. But on a day when cycling’s two titans were expected to deliver the decisive blow, it was Arensman who authored the most compelling chapter.

 

The final Pyrenean stage arrived with the weight of expectation. Four major cols—Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde, and the summit finish at Superbagnères—promised 4,950 meters of elevation and 182 kilometers of unforgiving terrain. With 170 riders remaining after Bryan Coquard’s withdrawal due to a hand injury, the peloton assembled in Pau under threatening skies.

The drizzle that greeted the riders seemed an ominous portent. This was terrain that could reshape the entire Tour, and every team knew it. UAE Team Emirates-XRG controlled proceedings early, content to let the break form while keeping Pogačar safely positioned. Visma-Lease a Bike and Lidl-Trek also showed their hands early, the latter keen to position Jonathan Milan for the intermediate sprint despite the mountainous profile.

The first cracks appeared even before the mountains proper. At kilometer 53, Mattias Skjelmose of Lidl-Trek suffered a heavy fall that would end his Tour, the Danish climber forced to abandon his hopes on the roadside. It was an early reminder of cycling’s cruel lottery, where months of preparation can evaporate in a single moment of misfortune.

More shocking still was the sight of Remco Evenepoel dropping from the yellow jersey group on the opening slopes of the Tourmalet. The Belgian, third overall and considered a genuine podium threat, simply couldn’t match the pace set by UAE Team Emirates-XRG. His Tour would end in abandonment, another reminder of the ruthless arithmetic of Grand Tour racing.

“It’s sad that Remco Evenepoel had to quit the Tour,” Pogačar would reflect later. “I don’t know what happened exactly to him, but we were talking yesterday about how he shouldn’t get carried away by all the media surrounding him and focus on the moment instead. In cycling, you never know how you are going to wake up—or, as a matter of fact, when you will be fighting for the Tour de France podium again. I send him my best regards and hope he will recover quickly.”

The Break Takes Shape

As the Tourmalet’s slopes began to bite, the race’s narrative crystallized. A strong group featuring Arensman, Lenny Martínez in the polka dot jersey, Ben O’Connor, and several others had escaped, followed by a larger chase group containing dangerous names like Sepp Kuss and Simon Yates.

19/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 14 – Pau / Luchon-Superbagnères (182,6 km) – Sepp KUSS (TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE) – Col de Peyresourde – Photo © A.S.O.

Martínez, the young Spaniard who had made the mountains classification his own, seized his moment with characteristic aggression. The Bahrain Victorious rider went solo for the final six kilometers of the Tourmalet, cresting with a lead of 1’45” over his closest pursuers and 3’30” over the yellow jersey group. The roar from the roadside crowds was deafening as the polka dot jersey disappeared into the mist, but behind him, the UAE locomotive was beginning to stir.

19/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 14 – Pau / Luchon-Superbagnères (182,6 km) – Lenny MARTINEZ (BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS) – Col d’Aspin – Photo © A.S.O.

“In the Tourmalet, I managed not to go into the red, and it was incredible to do that climb alone with the polka dot jersey and all those people cheering me on,” Martínez would later explain. “We had a plan at the start this morning and we achieved it almost 100%. I wanted to take all the points except for the finish, and in the end I didn’t manage to get through at the front at Peyresourde, but I still took second place because Arensman managed to break away on his own. I didn’t have much left in my legs. I would have loved to win this stage, but I can see that there are more experienced riders who manage to be stronger at the end than at the start of the stage.”

19/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 14 – Pau / Luchon-Superbagnères (182,6 km) – Lenny MARTINEZ (BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS) – Photo © A.S.O.

But the Tourmalet was merely the opening act. On the descent and over the Col d’Aspin, the race’s dynamics shifted constantly. Martínez maintained his lead initially, but the pursuit from Kuss and Valentin Paret-Peintre materialized exactly as feared. The mathematics were brutal: every second counted, and the chasers had numbers. By the bottom of the descent to Arreau, the polka dot jersey had been caught, swallowed by the inevitable logic of pursuit racing.

19/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 14 – Pau / Luchon-Superbagnères (182,6 km) – Valentin PARET PEINTRE (SOUDAL QUICK-STEP), Sepp KUSS (TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE) – Photo © A.S.O.

The regrouping was swift and decisive. Eight riders entered the Col de Peyresourde together, but tensions were rising. Everyone knew this was the crucial moment—the last chance to gain time before the brutal finale at Superbagnères. The group eyed each other warily, calculating odds and measuring reserves.

Arensman’s Masterstroke

It was here that Arensman made his defining move. With 4.5 kilometers to the summit, the Dutchman attacked with the kind of explosive acceleration that separates the very good from the great. No words, no warning—just pure, devastating pace that split the breakaway like a thunderclap.

“When I heard the gap with the GC group on Peyresourde, I thought 3 minutes against Tadej [Pogačar] and Jonas [Vingegaard] was not enough, so I had to move,” Arensman explained. “Maybe it would prove to be suicide but I had to try. I can’t believe I pulled it off.”

19/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 14 – Pau / Luchon-Superbagnères (182,6 km) – Thymen ARENSMAN (INEOS GRENADIERS) – Col de Peyresourde – Photo © A.S.O.

Crossing the Col de Peyresourde with a 1’20” advantage over his breakaway companions and 3’30” over the yellow jersey group, Arensman faced the most daunting 37 kilometers of his professional career. Behind him, UAE Team Emirates-XRG had finally roused themselves for the chase, the distinctive white and black jerseys stringing out the peloton as they sought to limit the damage. The sight was terrifying: cycling’s most efficient machine in full pursuit mode.

The mathematics were brutal. Arensman, talented as he was, would have to maintain his advantage over two of the greatest Grand Tour riders of the modern era across terrain that had destroyed countless dreams before. The final climb to Superbagnères rose 1,804 meters, with sections touching 10% gradient—a merciless judge of condition and character.

Radio chatter filled the airwaves. Time gaps fluctuated wildly. The lone leader’s advantage began to erode as the chase intensified behind him. Three minutes became two and a half. Two and a half became two. The pressure was suffocating.

“I was fading on the second part of the climb but the spectators gave me extra watts,” Arensman would admit, his honesty as refreshing as his performance was remarkable.

19/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 14 – Pau / Luchon-Superbagnères (182,6 km) – Thymen ARENSMAN (INEOS GRENADIERS)- Luchon Superbagnères – Photo © A.S.O.

The Titans Collide

Behind the lone leader, the GC battle unfolded with predictable intensity. Felix Gall launched the first significant attack with eight kilometers remaining, a move that served notice of the Austrian’s ambitions but failed to gain meaningful distance. The temperature rose immediately. This was the moment everyone had waited for.

The real fireworks began when Vingegaard made his bid four kilometers later, the Dane finally showing the form that had made him a two-time Tour winner. His acceleration was violent, sudden—the kind of move that has decided Tours. For a moment, it seemed the race might explode.

Pogačar’s response was immediate and emphatic. The Slovenian covered every move, his poker face betraying nothing of the effort required to match his rival’s accelerations. When Vingegaard attacked again, Pogačar was there. When the Dane surged once more, the yellow jersey held firm. It was a masterclass in tactical racing, but the tension was unbearable.

19/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 14 – Pau / Luchon-Superbagnères (182,6 km) – Tadej POGACAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.

“Jonas [Vingegaard] tried today, and he was really good indeed. Actually, I was expecting him to attack a bit earlier,” Pogačar reflected. “Once I shut down his two moves, I realized I didn’t have the firepower to counterattack and go all in to the finish. This is why I chose to control the stage, stay on his wheel and then sprint at the finish. We have had a few mountain stages already, and this is probably the strongest I’ve seen him in the Pyrenees. I’m sure he will keep attacking me in the Alps.”

The final acceleration came in the closing meters, Pogačar finding that extra gear that has defined his career. The gap was small—just four seconds—but decisive. More importantly, the psychological impact was enormous. Once again, when the moment demanded it most, Pogačar had found a way to win.

“We came close to a stage win, but Thymen Arensman was really strong today and he fully deserved this victory – hats off to him,” Pogačar admitted. “We can be happy and satisfied with the Pyrenees. Today we did a super stage, riding at our own pace all day long with an incredible Nils Politt. It was a super hard day because of the weather and the climbs. Furthermore, the break didn’t go until the Tourmalet, and that meant the first 70 kilometers were super fast. Later on, the downhills were a bit scary – especially the Tourmalet.”

A changing classification brought new stories. Florian Lipowitz, the young German climbing sensation, rode himself into third place overall and claimed the white jersey in the process. The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider finished fifth on the stage, but his consistent high-level performance has positioned him as a genuine podium contender.

“When I came to the Tour, I never thought about being on the podium or fighting for the podium,” Lipowitz admitted. “I knew I am in a good shape and now I’m third and I have the white jersey, I can only be happy. We are a team and we discuss things together. So far, I’ve showed that I’m in a good shape but Primož [Roglič] is the leader. We are super close. He will tell me what to do and what’s the plan for the coming days. He showed yesterday in the TT that he can perform really good and I believe that he is a guy for the third week and for sure we’ll see something great from him. It was sad to hear [about Remco Evenepoel retiring from the Tour]. He was one of the main favourites for the podium. I feel sorry for him but we need to focus on our ambitions. The team’s goal is to be on the podium of the Tour, and we have to see who will be fighting for it, Primož or me. Two weeks are almost done but everyone knows the third week is the hardest. The stages look very tough with a lot of climbing. We have to see how the legs are. I hope they stay the same.”

The Dream Realized

For Arensman, crossing the line at Superbagnères represented the culmination of a lifetime’s work. His maiden Tour participation had already exceeded expectations with second place at Le Mont-Dore, but this victory elevated him to an entirely different level. The emotion was overwhelming—tears mixed with sweat as the magnitude of his achievement sank in.

19/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 14 – Pau / Luchon-Superbagnères (182,6 km) – Thymen ARENSMAN (INEOS GRENADIERS)- Luchon Superbagnères – Photo © A.S.O.

“I can’t really believe it. To be honest, I just wanted to experience the Tour, the biggest race in the world, after some good results in the Giro and the Vuelta,” he reflected. “Now, to win a stage in my first Tour, and to do it this way, it’s unbelievable, crazy. I was already at the Giro this year, and I got sick after the race. I still had a good preparation for the Tour. I had to be patient in the first week, waiting for the mountains. And on the first opportunity, I was 2nd at Le Mont-Dore, which was already an amazing experience in my first Tour, but this is unbelievable. I just had amazing legs. I have the shape of my life.”

The victory was built on patience and precision, but delivered with breathtaking courage when the moment demanded it.

As the Tour prepares to leave the Pyrenees and enter its final, decisive week, the battle lines have been clearly drawn. Pogačar holds a commanding 4’13” advantage over Vingegaard, but the Alps remain—and cycling history is littered with races that changed dramatically in the final week. The Slovenian’s dominance has been impressive but not overwhelming, and the hunger in Vingegaard’s eyes suggests this fight is far from over.

For riders like Arensman, moments like these justify every sacrifice, every training camp, every moment of suffering that brought them to this point. In a sport often dominated by predictable outcomes, the unexpected can still triumph, and dreams can still become reality on the mountains of France. But the question remains: can anyone truly resist Pogačar’s rule, or was this simply a beautiful anomaly in an inevitable coronation?

By the Numbers

1: ARENSMAN NEW WINNER
After finishing 2nd at Puy de Sancy five days earlier, Thymen Arensman finally triumphed in Superbagnères, claiming his first Tour victory and his 4th professional victory. He is the 68th Dutchman to win and gave the Netherlands their 169th victory, their second of the year after Mathieu van der Poel’s in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

41: INEOS ENDS ITS LONGEST DROUGHT!
Winning for the 22nd time, the Ineos Grenadiers team had not won a Tour stage since July 15, 2023, when Carlos Rodriguez conquered stage 14 in Morzine. A drought of two years and 41 stages, the team’s longest period without a victory. Before that, the previous “record” was 35 stages without winning: from stage 17 of the Tour 2020 to stage 11 of the Tour 2022, before Tom Pidcock’s success at L’Alpe d’Huez.

5: LIPOWITZ DOESN’T STOP
Ranked 3rd in Hautacam, 4th in Peyragudes, and 5th today, Florian Lipowitz has achieved a third consecutive top-5 finish. He is the first German to do so since sprinter André Greipel in 2012, 13 years ago! At 24, Lipowitz is also the first German to lead the young rider classification since Marcel Kittel in 2013 (stage 1).

3: A GENERAL CLASSIFICATION TOP-3 RETIRING
The leader of the young rider classification before the stage, Remco Evenepoel, is the first white jersey to abandon the race since Tom Dumoulin in 2015 (stage 3). The Belgian was also 3rd in the general classification, and this is the first time a podium rider has to leave the Tour since 2017. At that time, Geraint Thomas, who was second, crashed and abandoned on the road to Chambéry (stage 9).

22: THE “GIANT” FOR A YOUNG RIDER
At 22 years and 8 days, Lenny Martinez is the second youngest rider in history to conquer the Col du Tourmalet, after René Vietto in 1934 (20 years, 5 months, and 6 days). This achievement contributed to his reconquest of the polka dot jersey, which he won for the third time.

8: FRENCH FIGHTERS
Leading the race for over 70 kilometers, Lenny Martinez received the combativity award for the second time after winning it on stage 4. This is the 8th time a French rider has been awarded this year (Mattéo Vercher x2, Bruno Armirail x2, Lenny Martinez x2, Ewen Costiou, Mathieu Burgaudeau). The last time it happened was in 2013 (Jérome Cousin x2, Blel Kadri, Romain Bardet, Julien Simon, Sylvain Chavanel, Christophe Riblon, Pierre Rolland).

88: LEGENDARY PEAKS
Three peaks on today’s stage are among the four most climbed in the Tour history: the Col du Tourmalet (1st, 88th times today), the Col d’Aspin (2nd, 77 times), and the Col de Peyresourde (4th, 72 times). Frenchman Lenny Martinez dominated the first two, before Thymen Arensman became the second Dutchman to lead at Peyresourde. The first was Steven Rooks in 1988, 11 years before the day’s winner was born.

10: THE GREENEST OF THE ITALIANS
Still leading the points classification after winning the intermediate sprint at Esquièze-Sère, Jonathan Milan took his 10th green jersey. This is a new record for an Italian rider, although Italians have already won this classification: Franco Bitossi in 1968, Alessandro Petacchi in 2010.

1-2: THAT AVENIR PODIUM
This isn’t the first time that Thymen Arensman and Tadej Pogacar have shared the top-2 places in a ranking. They also finished 1st and 2nd in the Tour de l’Avenir 2018. A quite representative name for the race, as “Avenir” means “Future”!

163: DOWN TO THE DAY
Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Florian Lipowitz, Oscar Onley, are Kévin Vauquelin: the general classification top-5 has an average age of 25 years and 163 days. Last year, the general classification top-5 after stage 14 had… exactly the same average age! The five riders were Pogacar, Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, Joao Almeida, and Carlos Rodriguez. Lipowitz, Onley, and Vauquelin are also the three riders of the best young rider podium.


Stage 14 Results

    1. Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers) 4h53’35”
    2. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) +1’08”
    3. Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) +1’12”
    4. Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) +1’19”
    5. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +1’25”
    6. Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) +2’09”
    7. Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) +2’46”
    8. Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +2’46”
    9. Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) +2’59”
    10. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) +3’08”

General Classification After Stage 14

    1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) 50h40’28”
    2. Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) +4’13”
    3. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +7’53”
    4. Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) +9’18”
    5. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) +10’21”
    6. Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +10’34”
    7. Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) +12’00”
    8. Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) +12’33”
    9. Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) +18’41”
    10. Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers) +22’57”

Jersey Leaders after Stage 14

    • Yellow Jersey (Overall Leader) – Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
    • Green Jersey (Points Classification) – Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
    • Polka Dot Jersey (King Of The Mountains) – Lenny Martínez (Bahrain Victorious)
    • White Jersey (Best Young Rider) – Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)

 

Tour de France Stage 13: Pogačar Unleashed

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PEYRAGUDES, France  (18 July 2025) – In the rarefied air of the Pyrenees, where legends are forged and dreams shattered, Tadej Pogačar delivered another masterclass in mountain dominance. The Slovenian champion’s victory in Stage 13’s uphill time trial to Peyragudes wasn’t just a win—it was a statement of intent that may have sealed the fate of this year’s Tour de France.

Twenty-four hours after his commanding performance at Hautacam, Pogačar returned to familiar terrain at Peyragudes, where he had claimed victory in 2022. This time, however, the 26.2-kilometer uphill time trial would test not just his climbing prowess but his ability to suffer alone against the clock. The answer came emphatically: 23 minutes flat, averaging an astonishing 28.4 km/h up gradients that would humble most mortals.

“I’m super happy,” Pogačar said, still catching his breath after dismounting from his road bike—a tactical decision that would prove crucial. “This time trial was quite a big question mark already in December for me. I wanted everything to be perfect and the team delivered.”

The stage began with the usual suspects fighting elimination, their primary concern surviving the 40% time cut—mercifully extended from the originally planned 33%. Matteo Vercher set the early benchmark at 30:01, quickly bettered by Jordi Meeus (29:32) and Roel van Sintmaartensdijk (29:12). Young climber Lennert Van Eetvelt became the first to break the 28-minute barrier with 27:49, but it was Luke Plapp who truly seized control.

The Australian champion’s combination of rouleur power and climbing ability—qualities he had showcased with his sixth-place finish at Paris-Nice in 2024—proved formidable. His time of 24:58 represented a quantum leap in performance, setting a mark that seemed untouchable as the genuine contenders prepared for their efforts.

18/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 13 – Loudenvielle / Peyragudes (10,9 km CLM) – Lenny MARTINEZ (BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS) – Photo © A.S.O.

Lenny Martinez, hunting King of the Mountains points for Bahrain Victorious, appeared to be flying up the early slopes, trailing by just nine seconds at the intermediate check. But the Pyrenees are unforgiving, and the young Frenchman’s legs betrayed him on the steepest pitches, crossing the line 23 seconds adrift. Adam Yates suffered a similar fate, looking competitive through the middle sections before losing 17 seconds in the final accounting.

Pogačar’s Masterpiece

As the general classification contenders launched their efforts, the tactical implications became clear. Matteo Jorgenson managed a respectable ride, finishing five seconds behind Plapp, but it was Primož Roglič who first cracked the Australian’s time. The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe leader’s performance—1:20 back from what would be the winning time—demonstrated the Slovenian veteran’s enduring class, finishing 36 seconds clear of teammate Florian Lipowitz.

18/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 13 – Loudenvielle / Peyragudes (10,9 km CLM) – Matteo JORGENSON (TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE) – Photo © A.S.O.
18/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 13 – Loudenvielle / Peyragudes (10,9 km CLM) – Primož ROGLIČ (RED BULL – BORA – HANSGROHE) – Photo © A.S.O.
18/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 13 – Loudenvielle / Peyragudes (10,9 km CLM) – Florian LIPOWITZ (RED BULL – BORA – HANSGROHE) – Photo © A.S.O.

But all eyes were on the yellow jersey. Pogačar’s decision to race without radio communication spoke volumes about his confidence and tactical approach. “I really wanted to go all out from start to finish, smashing the pedals as much as possible,” he explained. “I almost blew out in the end but I saw the time on the finish arch and it gave me an extra push because I saw I was gonna win.”

The world champion’s ride was poetry in motion, each pedal stroke a verse in his Tour de France opus. At the first time check, he held a five-second advantage—modest but encouraging. By the second intermediate, that gap had grown, confirming what many suspected: Pogačar was riding into another dimension.

“Basically, it was all on instinct,” he revealed. “I decided to go without radio because the tactics was all out from the start to the finish. I saw at the first time check I was 5 seconds in green. At the second one, the gap was a bit bigger so I knew I was on a good pace.”

18/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 13 – Loudenvielle / Peyragudes (10,9 km CLM) -Tadej POGACAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.
18/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 13 – Loudenvielle / Peyragudes (10,9 km CLM) -Tadej POGACAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.

The equipment choice proved crucial. While many expected the Slovenian to opt for a time trial bike, he stuck with his road machine—the same setup he had ridden for the previous twelve stages. “This was the biggest decision to make: which bike to ride today,” Pogačar acknowledged. “Obviously, we race on the road bike most of the year, like 99% of the time. We did some calculations and I decided to be more comfortable, riding with the same bike as the last 12 stages, and it worked out for me.”

18/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 13 – Loudenvielle / Peyragudes (10,9 km CLM) – Jonas VINGEGAARD (TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE) – Photo © A.S.O.

Jonas Vingegaard, the defending champion and Pogačar’s primary rival, produced a valiant effort that would have won most time trials. His 23:36 represented exceptional climbing against the clock, but in the context of this Tour de France, it felt like capitulation. The 36-second gap extended Pogačar’s overall advantage to 4:07—a margin that feels increasingly insurmountable with each passing stage.

Evenepoel’s Tour Continues to Unravel

For Remco Evenepoel, the day represented another chapter in a Tour that has steadily unraveled. The Belgian’s 12th-place finish, 2:39 behind Pogačar, dropped him to 7:24 in the general classification and raised serious questions about his form.

18/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 13 – Loudenvielle / Peyragudes (10,9 km CLM) – Remco EVENEPOEL (SOUDAL QUICK-STEP) – Photo © A.S.O.

“I didn’t have the legs I wanted,” Evenepoel admitted, his frustration evident. “Everything was fine on the flat, but after three or four minutes on the climb, I felt empty. I have no explanation. I warmed up as I usually do and felt good this morning. In the end, I felt really bad and it was a very poor performance. I really wasn’t expecting it.”

The Road to Superbagnères

The tactical implications ripple through the race’s remaining stages. With Pogačar now holding 21 Tour stage victories—nine of them in the Pyrenees—and having dominated the last six finishes atop Category 1 or HC climbs, his rivals face an increasingly desperate situation.

“So far, so good,” Pogačar said with characteristic understatement. “We’re just a bit over halfway now and it’s still a long way to Paris but if we keep riding like this and don’t do any mistake, then we can be satisfied with this margin.”

His assessment of Vingegaard remained respectful but confident: “[Jonas Vingegaard] was good today. He will not give up and if he has good legs he will try everyday. I need to fight with good legs until the end. It’s still a big fight until Paris.”

The Pyrenees bid farewell with Saturday’s Stage 14 to Luchon-Superbagnères, a summit finish steeped in Tour de France lore. The 12.4-kilometer climb at 7.3% gradient was the scene of Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond’s epic battle in 1986, and Robert Millar’s victory in 1989. With four major ascents and 4,950 meters of elevation gain, it promises to be a festival of attacking cycling.

The question now is whether Pogačar’s dominance has crushed his rivals’ spirits or merely delayed their most desperate gambits. With less than a minute separating third through sixth overall, the battle for the final podium spot remains fierce. But at the top, one man appears to be riding his own race, turning the Tour de France into a procession of his own making.

In claiming his 46th yellow jersey, Pogačar hasn’t just won a stage—he’s potentially won the Tour de France. The only question remaining is whether anyone can find the legs and the courage to prove him wrong.

By the Numbers

4/21: TIME TRIAL BOSS
Winner of his 4th Tour individual time trial, Tadej Pogačar raises his arms for the 21st time in the race. He surpasses Luxembourg’s Nicolas Frantz as the 6th rider with the most wins, and is now only one behind Frenchman André Darrigade. This is the second time he has achieved 4 wins in a single Tour, the first being in 2024 (6 wins).

63%: WHO CAN STOP HIM?
11 stages have ended on a cat.1 summit since Tadej Pogačar joined the Tour in 2020. The Slovenian has won 7 of these 11 stages, representing a 63% success rate. He has even won 6 of the last 8 finishes on cat.1 climbs since the day he won a cat.1 climb for the first time at La Planche des Belles Filles, in 2020.

5: GIRMAY, MERLIER (…) SAVED!
The time limit had to be calculated according to the best time plus 33%, but it was exceptionally increased to 40% before the start. A change that saved 5 riders! Without this, the time limit would have been 7’40, which would have led to the elimination of Biniam Girmay (30’54”), Arnaud Démare (30’59”), Elmar Reinders (31’10”), Tim Merlier (31’27”), and Luka Mezgec (31’28”).

6: SO TIGHT IS THAT YOUNGSTERS FIGHT!
Today’s best young rider, Florian Lipowitz, is 6″ behind Remco Evenepoel in the general classification. This is the first time in the 21st century that the young rider classification top-2 are so close after 13 stages. The podium is still less than a minute apart, with Oscar Onley having moved up to 3rd, 47″ behind. This is also unprecedented in the 21st century.

5: IMPRESSIVE PLAPP
Luke Plapp, who held the provisional time for part of the stage, spent 3 hours, 3 minutes, and 22 seconds as the virtual winner before being passed by Primož Roglič. The three-time Australian time trial (2021-24-25) and road race (2022-23-24) champion finished 5th and recorded his best stage result, improving the 9th place he achieved in Caen. This is the first top-5 finish for an Australian in a time trial since Richie Porte’s 3rd place at La Planche des Belles Filles in 2020.

12: BAD DAY FOR EVENEPOEL
Only 12th today, Remco Evenepoel missed a Tour time trial podium for the first time. The two-time world champion (2023-24) won at Gevrey-Chambertin last year, finished 3rd in Nice 16 days later, and won in Caen this year.

10.9: SHORTEST TIME TRIAL
It was the 222nd individual time trial in the history of the Tour, but more importantly: being 10.9 kilometers long, it was the shortest —excluding prologues and half-stages. The previous one was the Clermont-Ferrand – Puy de Dôme done in 1959 (stage 15), which was 12.5 kilometers long.

35: A FAST VETERAN
At 35 years, 8 months, and 20 days, Primož Roglič is the oldest rider to finish on a stage podium this year. The five other thirty-somethings to have achieved this are Simon Yates (32), Tim Merlier (32), Phil Bauhaus (31), Wout van Aert (30), and Mathieu van der Poel (30).

9-8: VINGEGAARD AND ROGLIČ’S STREAKS
Jonas Vingegaard (2nd) is on a run of 9 stage podiums without a victory, closing in on Alexander Kristoff’s 10 between 2014 and 2018. The Dane has not won since his success at Le Lioran last year. Finishing 3rd, Primož Roglič is on a run of 8 stage podiums without a victory. The last one dates back to Orcières-Merlette 2020.

203: POGI THE SPRINTER
Second in the points classification behind Jonathan Milan, Tadej Pogačar has already scored 203 points, his personal best after 13 stages. The Slovenian is doing better than in 2022 (164 points after 13 stages), when he achieved 250 points at the end, his best mark in the points classification.

2: BACK-TO-BACK AT PEYRAGUDES!
In Peyragudes, Tadej Pogačar succeeds to… Tadej Pogačar! He already won here during the last Tour visit in 2022. It is called a “back-to-back,” and he is the first to do so since… himself at La Planche des Belles Filles! The Slovenian won a time trial there in 2020, then a road stage in 2022, with the slight difference that it ended at La Super Planche des Belles Filles. Before him, the last “back-to-back” referred to Mark Cavendish’s successes at Châteauroux (2008, 2011, 2021).


Stage 13 Results

    1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 23’00”
    2. Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) 23’36” (+36″)
    3. Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) 24’20” (+1’20”)
    4. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) 24’56” (+1’56”)
    5. Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla) 24’58” (+1’58”)
    6. Matteo Jorgenson (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) 25’03” (+2’03”)
    7. Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) 25’06” (+2’06”)
    8. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 25’15” (+2’15”)
    9. Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious) 25’21” (+2’21”)
    10. Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) 25’22” (+2’22”)

General Classification after Stage 13

    1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 45h 45’51”
    2. Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) 45h 49’58” (+4’07”)
    3. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) 45h 53’15” (+7’24”)
    4. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) 45h 53’21” (+7’30”)
    5. Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) 45h 54’02” (+8’11”)
    6. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) 45h 54’06” (+8’15”)
    7. Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) 45h 54’41” (+8’50”)
    8. Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) 45h 56’27” (+10’36”)
    9. Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) 45h 57’34” (+11’43”)
    10. Matteo Jorgenson (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) 46h 00’06” (+14’15”)

Jersey Holders After Stage 13

    • Yellow Jersey (Overall Leader): Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
    • Green Jersey (Points Leader): Jonathan Milan
    • Polka-dot Jersey (King of the Mountains): Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
    • White Jersey (Best Young Rider): Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)

 

Find Your Optimal Tire Pressure for Comfort and Efficiency

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By Tom Jow — Last month while I was searching for some new tires on the internet I found something new. A tire pressure recommendation chart. It was not a surprise to me that the chart existed. What surprised me was how much I have been overinflating my road bike tires all these years. Not just a little mind you, but by approximately 20 psi! Wondering how I could be so far off, more research followed. Not only did I learn why tire pressure matters, but I found another method for determining the proper tire pressure; the online tire pressure calculator.

Previous to this, determining my road bike tire pressure consisted of choosing some fraction of the maximum recommended pressure. If it wasn’t unbearable, and I did not get pinch flats it was good enough. Many athletes I have worked with over the years, and I am sure many recreational riders as well, just choose the maximum recommended. This always seemed to make sense, because it seems that a harder tire would have less rolling resistance. Not so, says Jan Heine, of Rene Herse Cycles. In his blog post “Tire Pressure and Performance” (March 2022), he explains the theory of “suspension losses”. To make a long, interesting story short, overinflated tires vibrate while rolling over the road surface. Have you ever noticed a buzzing feeling while riding at a high rate of speed? My interpretation of that is the tire bouncing up and down in micro amounts over the not so perfect asphalt. Not only is rolling resistance increased by all that vibration, the rider must absorb some of that vibration as it is transmitted through the bicycle.

Typical high tire pressure range for a narrow 28C road tire (85-95 psi). Optimal tire pressure will likely be on the low end or below. Photo by Dave Iltis
Compared to the low tire pressure range for a wide gravel tire (35-65 psi). Optimal tire pressure will likely be on the low end or below. Photo by Tom Jow

If this is true, there is a good case for using lower tire pressure. What then, are the benefits? One, it is more comfortable. At lower pressures the tire casing flexes to absorb vibrations and imperfections of the road. The rider is forced to absorb less vibration and impact. Second, rolling resistance is reduced because the tire casing can now flex and absorb imperfections from the road. Instead of being bounced around by small cracks in the road, the tire conforms to the road surface thereby producing a smoother and faster ride. However, there is a risk with using lower pressure, pinch flats.

Pinch flats occur when force compresses the tire enough for the rim to “pinch” the tube between it and the road surface. In order to reduce pinch flats with lower pressure, a wider tire can be used. According to the Silca.cc blog “part-3b-faq-and-putting-it-together-so-far” a 28mm tire at 87 psi can withstand 50% more force before suffering a pinch flat than a 23mm tire at 116 psi. In addition, between two similarly constructed tires, the wider tire also has a more compliant ride. Now we have a wider, more comfortable tire with lower rolling resistance, but we still don’t know our optimal tire pressure. How do we attain our optimal tire pressure then?

One method of setting our optimal tire pressure is the 15% drop method. As described by Frank Berto in “Under Pressure”, (March/April 2004), 15% compression of the tires total height under the rider’s weight is optimal. Other methods (with less math) of determining tire pressure include using a printed chart or an online tire pressure calculator. The online calculators can be simple, requiring only tire width and combined rider and bike weight such as the calculator by Rene Herse Cycles. On the other hand, they may ask for more detailed information like intended surface, tire casing type, tubeless or with tube as the calculator by the tire maker Vittoria. After data input and clicking calculate, the results are returned as recommended pressure for front and rear.

These results, as with all manufacturer recommendations, are a starting point. No calculator or chart can adjust for all the factors of a bike and rider rolling down the road. Also, it is rare for any multiple of pumps/gauges to give the same reading. This is relative, however, meaning that if we use the same measuring device each time we will, in the end, be able to have consistent settings. In addition, tire casings make a difference. A tire with a more supple casing is more compliant (absorbs more vibration) than a lesser casing at the same pressure. Finally, as Silca describes a sharp increase of impedance (suspension) losses above optimal pressure, they state, “ Better to set your pressure a few psi below the BreakPoint (optimal) Pressure than to have it a few PSI above the BreakPoint Pressure”.

Testing the Calculators

I compared the results from four tire pressure calculators: Vittoria, Silca, SRAM and Rene Herse. My base set up is 700 x 42c Specialized Pathfinders mounted to Roval 38 carbon rims. My seat of the pants tire pressure set up was 40 psi rear, 38 psi front. When given a choice I selected dry, rough/old asphalt.

  • Vittoria: This calculator asked the most questions. Bike type, tire type, tire size, insert yes/no, tire feel reactive/balanced/supple, rider + bike weight, surface type, surface condition wet/dry. Recommendation: 42 psi front, 43.8 psi rear. (https://vittoria.com/pages/tire-pressure)
  • Silca: Similar questions with different wording. Rider + bike weight, surface, tire width, wheel diameter, tire type, average speed, weight distribution (bike type). Recommendation: 37 psi front, 38.5 psi rear. (https://silca.cc/pages/pro-tire-pressure-calculator)
  • SRAM: This calculator only asked for the basics with two exceptions, rim type and internal rim width. Recommendation: 36 psi front, 38.3 psi rear. (https://axs.sram.com/guides/tire/pressure)
  • Rene Herse Cycles: This calculator asked the least number of questions. Rider + bike weight and tire width. It was also the only one suggesting the same pressure front and rear, and a firm and soft range (presumably for rough vs. less rough conditions). Recommendation: Soft, 28 psi, firm 36 psi. (https://www.renehersecycles.com/tire-pressure-calculator/)

Because most of the recommendations were pretty close to my baseline, I only tested the “soft, 28psi” result (one ride). I rode one of my regular routes out to the west, past the airport. Through the industrial zones there is plenty of dirt and rough, broken pavement. Also along the way are train tracks, years old unbroken pavement and decades old pavement.

What I experienced was kind of eye opening. The tires did not feel slower at 28 psi than at 40 psi (avg. speed 15 mph). Out of the saddle going up the overpasses the tires did not feel squishy at all. Going down the overpass or speeding along with the wind at my back the road surface did not feel buzzy. I floated across the tracks. And finally, the rough, broken roads were much less rough than before.

Verdict?

The calculators are an excellent way to find a starting tire pressure quickly. These would have saved me some time getting my tires set up the way I like. The 28-psi recommendation by the Rene Herse calculator really surprised me. Not only that it even suggested it, but that it also seems to work really well. My ride was more comfortable than with higher pressures, and just about the same speed. I will have to test it more, but so far the results are promising.               

Got a bike question? Email Tom at runnerrunner.rider@gmail.com

Tour de France Stage 12: Pogačar’s Stunning Response at Hautacam

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HAUTACAM, France (17 July 2025) — The ghosts of Hautacam had haunted Tadej Pogačar for nearly three years. On those very slopes in 2022, Jonas Vingegaard had delivered a crushing blow that would define their rivalry, supported by the relentless Wout Van Aert in a display of tactical perfection that left the Slovenian champion wounded and trailing. The defending champion had arrived at this first mountain stage of the 2025 Tour carrying not just the weight of expectation, but the burden of memory.

Fresh off a high-speed crash in Toulouse that had left him bruised but unbowed, Pogačar faced the familiar specter of doubt. Could he finally exorcise the demons of this 13.5-kilometer ascent at 7.8%? The stage promised to be the first true test of the mountains, where time bonuses and tactical games would give way to the raw arithmetic of power and pain.

The morning air in Auch carried an electric tension as 171 riders signed on, their numbers depleted by one after XDS-Astana’s Cees Bol withdrew due to illness. The route ahead was unforgiving: Col du Soulor, Col des Bordères, and finally the brutal summit finish at Hautacam. After eleven days of explosive racing that had seen Ben Healy claim the maillot jaune through audacious opportunism, the mountains would now separate the contenders from the pretenders.

The Breakaway That Threatened Everything

True to form, Jonas Abrahamsen of Uno-X Mobility—fresh from his stunning assault on Toulouse—launched the first attack as the peloton passed kilometer zero. But lightning rarely strikes twice in the same manner, and the Norwegian was quickly reeled in. What followed was a masterclass in controlled chaos, as attack after attack flew until, at kilometer 17, a mammoth 52-rider group established itself at the front.

This was no ordinary breakaway. Among the escapees lurked Carlos Rodriguez, the Spanish climber who had finished fifth in 2023 and seventh in 2024, currently sitting 12th overall at 5’44”. With four Ineos-Grenadiers teammates for company—Thymen Arensman, Tobias Foss, Axel Laurance, and Connor Swift—Rodriguez represented a genuine threat to the established order.

The group read like a who’s who of climbing excellence: Lenny Martinez defending his polka-dot jersey with three Bahrain Victorious teammates, Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet, Ben O’Connor, Mattias Skjelmose, and Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) . It was the kind of breakaway that could rewrite the general classification if given too much rope.

Behind, the alliance of EF Education-EasyPost, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and Uno-X Mobility worked in uneasy cooperation, their respective leaders’ jerseys demanding vigilance. The gap reached a maximum of 2’20” at the base of the Col du Soulor, where the real racing would begin.

17/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 12 – Auch / Hautacam (180,6 km) – Simon YATES (TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE) – Photo © A.S.O.

The Soulor’s Brutal Arithmetic

The first categorized climb of the day—11.8 kilometers at 7.3%—would prove to be the scene of the first major elimination. As Visma-Lease a Bike hit the front with characteristic ferocity, the race exploded into fragments. Michael Woods, the Canadian climber, soloed over the summit at kilometer 134.1, but the drama was unfolding behind him.

17/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 12 – Auch / Hautacam (180,6 km) – Michael WOODS (ISRAEL – PREMIER TECH) – Photo © A.S.O.

Remco Evenepoel, the young Belgian who had arrived with podium ambitions, was already in distress halfway up the ascent. The 2022 Vuelta champion’s legs felt heavy from the start, as he would later confess: “I didn’t have the best feeling from the very start of the race. Even on the flat sections, my legs felt heavy.”

17/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 12 – Auch / Hautacam (180,6 km) – Remco EVENEPOEL (SOUDAL QUICK-STEP) – Photo © A.S.O.

More shocking still was the sight of Ben Healy, the Irishman who had worn yellow with such panache, being distanced on the slopes. The EF Education-EasyPost rider, who had captured hearts with his fearless racing, was paying the price for his earlier efforts. “Chapeau to Ben Healy and EF for trying to defend the jersey,” Pogačar would later acknowledge.

At the summit, the damage was clear: Evenepoel trailed by 45 seconds, while Healy was already 2’45” adrift. The yellow jersey was slipping away with each pedal stroke.

Armirail’s Pyrenean Poetry

As the race descended toward the Col des Bordères, Bruno Armirail made his move. The Frenchman from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, a son of the Pyrenees, accelerated away from his companions with the kind of local knowledge that can’t be taught. “I gave it everything on the Soulor and on the descent, on roads I know very well,” he would later explain.

By the summit of the Col des Bordères at kilometer 145.7, Armirail had opened a 50-second gap. The crowd roared their approval as he descended toward Hautacam, carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. “I was cheered on the whole time I was alone. It was like a dream come true, just like last year when I took the lead on the Col du Tourmalet. I had goose bumps.”

Behind him, the GC contenders regrouped on the descent, the brief respite allowing them to gather their strength for the final reckoning. But there would be no mercy on the slopes of Hautacam.

The Moment of Truth

As the road kicked upward toward the final climb, UAE Team Emirates-XRG moved to the front with surgical precision. The team that had dominated the spring classics was now showing their mountain credentials, with Jhonatan Narvaez setting a brutal pace that shed riders with each kilometer.

17/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 12 – Auch / Hautacam (180,6 km) – Jhonatan NARVAEZ, Adam YATES, Tim WELLENS (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.

Then, with 12.5 kilometers to go, Narvaez delivered his leader perfectly. Pogačar’s acceleration was immediate and devastating. There was no gradual increase in pace, no warning signs—just the sudden, violent snap of a rider transcending his limitations.

17/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 12 – Auch / Hautacam (180,6 km) – Tadej POGACAR, Jhonatan NARVAEZ (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.

Nobody could follow. Not Vingegaard, despite his past mastery of this climb. Not Evenepoel, struggling with his own demons. Not any of the supposed contenders who had harbored hopes of victory. Armirail, caught and dropped in the space of a few hundred meters, could only watch as the Slovenian disappeared up the mountain.

“From the very first time I got to ride on that climb, I was looking forward to racing here and it came in the Tour de France 2022,” Pogačar would later reflect. “At the time, I was giving everything to get back the Yellow Jersey but Jumbo were too strong. I had almost already forgotten about this, I was just looking forward to today, but all the people came telling me it was revenge time and blah blah blah.”

The Sweet Taste of Redemption

As Pogačar powered toward the summit, his lead growing with each kilometer, the significance of the moment was not lost on him. This was the climb where he had lost 1’04” to Vingegaard three years ago, where his Tour had effectively ended. Now, with each pedal stroke, he was rewriting that history.

17/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 12 – Auch / Hautacam (180,6 km) – Tim WELLENS (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.

“When we approached the bottom of the climb, it was the reverse story. It was one Belgian guy again on the front, but it was Tim [Wellens] and our team was setting the pace,” he explained. “It was a really really hard day and I also had 2022 a bit in the back of my mind. But today we were on the happy side of history. We had this stage in mind for a long time. We did a super job with the team and I’m super happy to win here and to take time on my rivals. Also, chapeau to Ben Healy and EF for trying to defend the jersey, and also Uno-X, who fought for their own GC.”

The crash from the previous day seemed a distant memory as Pogačar dominated the ascent. “You never know how the body reacts after a crash but it was not too bad a crash. I feel my hip only if I do acrobatics but here I’m just riding my bike.”

The Slovenian crossed the line with his arms raised, claiming his 20th stage victory, his eighth in the Pyrenees, and his first at Hautacam. More importantly, he had opened a gap of 2’10” on Vingegaard, who could only manage second place, with Florian Lipowitz of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe completing the podium at 2’21”.

But the victory carried deeper meaning for the champion, who dedicated his triumph to Samuele Privitera, the young Italian cyclist who had passed away yesterday, after a crash during Giro della Valle d’Aosta. “This victory also goes to Samuele [Privitera] and his family. [The news of him passing away] was the first thing I read in the morning and I was thinking about him in the last kilometres, and how tough this sport can be and how much pain it can cause.”

17/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 12 – Auch / Hautacam (180,6 km) – Tadej POGACAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.
17/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 12 – Auch / Hautacam (180,6 km) – Tadej POGACAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.
17/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 12 – Auch / Hautacam (180,6 km) – Tadej POGACAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.

The New Reality

As the dust settled on Hautacam, the Tour’s hierarchy had been brutally reshuffled. Pogačar had reclaimed the yellow jersey, building a lead of 3’31” over Vingegaard in the general classification. Evenepoel, despite his struggles, held third at 4’45”, while Healy’s heroic stint in yellow had ended with a deficit of over 10 minutes.

Pogačar remained measured in victory, aware that the race was far from over. “The Tour is not over. Tomorrow there’s also a time-trial and the next day is another difficult stage, ahead of some tricky days. We need to stay calm and continue with this pace.”

The Belgian’s assessment was stark: “Tadej was head and shoulders above everyone else today. There are still ten days of racing left, but he’s taken a big step towards winning the Tour de France. Some teams rode today as if they were there to support him and UAE, which is not the right way to do things. The mentality needs to change, especially when the Yellow Jersey is already so far ahead.”

For Evenepoel, the day had been a battle against himself as much as his rivals. “I didn’t have the best feeling from the very start of the race. Even on the flat sections, my legs felt heavy. On the climbs, I tried to find my rhythm and do a kind of 50-kilometre time trial. It was a long battle against myself, with my head and my legs. It’s not that I raced smart – it was just the only way to race today, I couldn’t race any other way. I fought with the Paris podium in mind. After all, the gaps to Tadej [Pogačar] were very big, but with the others it was okay. I hope to be better tomorrow so I can do something with the time trial. I want to stay calm and, day by day, forget about this bad day.”

Bruno Armirail, who had given the French fans something to cheer about with his bold attack, reflected on his day in the spotlight: “Of course, I had marked this stage, but first I had to manage to break away. Then there were so many riders, and some very good ones, that I couldn’t imagine getting away on my own. But I gave it everything on the Soulor and on the descent, on roads I know very well. I quickly felt that my legs were strong, so it was really enjoyable even though I didn’t have much hope of winning the stage. I was cheered on the whole time I was alone. It was like a dream come true, just like last year when I took the lead on the Col du Tourmalet. I had goose bumps, but it would have been even better with the win.”

The Frenchman was already thinking ahead to the next challenge: “It’s true that we have a time trial tomorrow and I left some energy today, but it’s a course where I won’t be able to play a leading role anyway. Even though I’m a good climber, I think I’ll be more likely to finish in the top 10 or 15 than in the top 5. In any case, you have to take things as they come, day by day.”

As the riders descended from Hautacam into the Pyrenean twilight, the ghosts of 2022 had been laid to rest. But in their place, new questions emerged: Could anyone challenge Pogačar’s supremacy? Would the mountains continue to favor the Slovenian? With ten days of racing remaining, the Tour de France was far from over, but the balance of power had shifted decisively on the slopes where champions are made and broken.

By the Numbers

20: POGAČAR EQUALS NICOLAS FRANTZ
Tadej Pogačar raises his arms for the 20th time on the Tour, tying Luxembourg’s Nicolas Frantz for the 6th place among the riders with the most wins. His next target: the 22 victories of Frenchman André Darrigade. Tadej Pogačar has now won at least 3 stages in 5 of his first 6 Tours. A record he shares with Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Mark Cavendish.

2’10”: POGAČAR STRIKES BACK
“I thought about 2022″, admitted Tadej Pogačar after his victory. Three years ago, the stage that finished in Hautacam was won by Jonas Vingegaard with a 1’04” lead over the Slovenian. He took his revenge at the same place by winning with a 2’10” lead at the summit.

3: LIPOWITZ FOR GERMANY
Recently 2nd in Paris-Nice, Florian Lipowitz is competing in his first Tour and earned his first top-3 finish by being 3rd in Hautacam. He is the first German on the podium in a mountain stage since Lennard Kamna’s victory in Villard-de-Lans in 2020 (stage 16).

152: BRUNO SOLO
In the breakaway, Bruno Armirail then tried his luck by going solo, before being caught by Tadej Pogačar. His 152-kilometer attempt earned him the combativity award for the second time in 2025, after being rewarded in stage 2. France already has 7 combativity awards in 2025 (Armirail x2, Mattéo Vercher x2, Lenny Martinez, Ewen Costiou, Mathieu Burgaudeau), as many as in 2020.

2009: BIG FIGHT WITHIN THE YOUNG RIDERS
The best young rider classification is fiercely contested. Remco Evenepoel now leads ahead of Florian Lipowitz (+49″) and Kévin Vauquelin (+55″). This is the first time the podium has been so close after 12 stages since 2009, 16 years ago! At the time, Tony Martin was in the lead ahead of Andy Schleck (+49″) and Vincenzo Nibali (+54″).

7: HAUTACAM, A GOOD SIGN FOR POGAČAR?
This is the 7th time that a Tour finish has been judged in Hautacam, where Tadej Pogačar had never won. The last winners here – Vincenzo Nibali in 2014 (stage 18), Jonas Vingegaard in 2022 (stage 18) – went on to win the Tour three days later, but they were already leading the general classification before the start. The last time the Yellow Jersey changed at Hautacam was in 2008, when Cadel Evans snatched it from Kim Kirchen. The Australian, however, lost it later.

38: MICHAEL THE FIGHTER
Michael Woods was first at the summit of the Col du Soulor. At 38 years, 9 months, and 5 days, he is the oldest rider to lead a Cat.1 climb since Jens Voigt at Mont Revard in 2013 – the German was 41 years, 10 months, and 3 days. In 2010, Christophe Moreau conquered the Col du Tourmalet and the Col d’Aubisque (HC) at 39 years, 3 months and 8 days, a week after doing the same at the Col de la Colombière (Cat.1). They are the three oldest riders to have achieved these feats on such challenging summits since World War II.

6-0: VINGEGAARD’S BLACK SHEEP
Jonas Vingegaard is now on a strike of 8 stage podiums without a victory. Six of these 8 podium finishes are 2nd place behind Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian leads the Dane 6-0 in their last doubles. Four in 2024 (Saint-Lary-Soulan, Plateau de Beille, Col de la Couillole, Nice) and two in 2025 (Mûr-de-Bretagne, Hautacam). The 14th Pogačar-Vingegaard Tour 1-2 (in either order) recorded today is a new record for two riders. The Slovenian has won 11 times ahead of the Dane, While Vingegaard has only won three times ahead of his black sheep.

3: BACK IN YELLOW
Since the start, Tadej Pogačar had taken the Yellow Jersey twice, but also lost it twice. He took it for the third time today. The last rider to do so was Greg LeMond in 1989: the American wore the Yellow Jersey from stages 5 to 9, lost it to Laurent Fignon, then regained it for stages 15 and 16, lost it again to the Frenchman, before finally winning it on the final day. Only two other riders have experienced similar numbers: André Darrigade in 1956 (16th at the finish) and Eddy Merckx in 1974 (winner).

17: IT WAS WRITTEN SOMEWHERE
This Thursday, July 17, marked Tadej Pogačar’s 117th stage. on the Tour. By winning for the 20th time, he has a 17% success rate!


Stage 12 Results

    1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) 4:21:19
    2. Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) +2:10
    3. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +2:23
    4. Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) +3:00
    5. Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) +3:00
    6. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) +3:33
    7. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) +3:35
    8. Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) +4:02
    9. Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +4:08
    10. Carlos Rodriguez (Arkea-B&B Hotels) +7:26

General Classification

    1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) 45:22:51
    2. Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) +3:31
    3. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) +4:45
    4. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +5:34
    5. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) +5:40
    6. Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) +6:05
    7. Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +7:3
    8. Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) +7:44
    9. Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) +9:21
    10. Matteo Jorgenson (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) +12:12

Jersey Holders

    • Yellow Jersey (General Classification): Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
    • Green Jersey (Points Classification): Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
    • Polka-dot Jersey (King of the Mountains): Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
    • White Jersey (Best Young Rider): Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)

Opinion: Remember When Gravel Felt Like Coming Home?

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There was a time when American gravel cycling felt like coming home to a family reunion you’d been looking forward to all year. It was farm roads and cow gates, a thermos of coffee at the start line, and volunteers who knew your name handing out pickle juice at mile 90. It was an annual gathering built on trust, shared suffering, and the quiet understanding that some things in this world could remain beautifully imperfect.

Those days feel increasingly distant under the expanding reach of Life Time, Inc.

Corporate greed monster chasing the gravel cyclist. Image created by ChatGPT from a highly detailed description.

The transformation is perhaps most heartbreaking at what used to be the spiritual heart of gravel: UNBOUND Gravel in Emporia, Kansas. Once a grassroots celebration where friends planned their entire year around reuniting on those Kansas roads, it now carries the weight of corporate expectations and the inevitable distance that comes with scale. At the 2025 edition, after rain turned the Flint Hills into a clay-thick quagmire, what happened reminded us how much we’ve lost along the way.

Multiple riders shared troubling accounts of being injured and left waiting far too long for help. Danish rider Klara Sofie Skovgaard crashed hard, splitting her helmet, dislocating her shoulder, and tearing open her knee. She developed hypothermia lying in a roadside ditch while drones and helicopters flew overhead capturing footage for broadcast. It wasn’t medical staff who found her—it was fellow racers who stopped, abandoned their own races, and stayed with her until help finally arrived hours later. (Note: see editorial Abandoned in a Ditch)

Other riders described crashes into barbed wire, concussions without follow-up, and long stretches of remote course with no medical presence. The silence that followed was perhaps more telling than any statement could have been.

It’s telling that even their routine race recaps read like fill-in-the-blank templates, spending more words on management’s excitement about being in “enter city name here” than celebrating the people who actually raced and how their stories unfolded.

Since 2010, Life Time has steadily acquired many of America’s most cherished gravel and endurance events—Leadville (2010), Chequamegon MTB Festival (2011), Unbound (2018, when it was still Dirty Kanza), Crusher in the Tushar (2019), Sea Otter (2021), along with founding new events like The Rad Dirt Fest and Big Sugar. The promise is always the same: more resources, better athlete experience, greater exposure. But something essential gets lost in translation.

Ask anyone who’s been going to these events for years, and they’ll tell you the same thing with a kind of wistful sadness: it doesn’t feel like our race anymore. The annual pilgrimage has become a bucket-list item. The family reunion has turned into a festival where you might recognize a few faces in the crowd.

What we’ve lost isn’t just about high entry fees or lottery systems, though those changes sting. It’s about the replacement of volunteers who cared deeply about their local event with staff who see it as just another weekend gig. It’s about riders becoming demographic data points rather than the weird, wonderful people who used to define this sport. The stories that mattered—about seeing God after bonking at mile 147, about small acts of kindness from strangers, about finding something true in the suffering—have been supplanted by content creation and social media metrics.

The events still market themselves with familiar imagery—flannel shirts, dirty bikes, “gravel family” language—but it feels like watching actors perform a version of your own memories. The small-town charm is carefully curated now. The finish-line moments are filmed for promotional use. What was once authentic community has been repackaged and sold back to us as an experience at 200 bucks a head, with VIP upgrades and branded merchandise like a 1970s rock band’s nostalgia tour, complete with overpriced, underwhelming t-shirts.

Perhaps most sadly, gravel didn’t need rescuing. The sport was already growing beautifully through regional scenes, word-of-mouth recommendations, and a shared understanding of what made these gatherings special. The corporate intervention didn’t create this culture—it purchased something precious and, perhaps inevitably, began to change it into something more manageable and profitable.

This doesn’t mean gravel cycling is over. But the gravel that many of us fell in love with—the one built by passionate organizers with hand-painted signs and duct-taped coolers—now lives in the margins. It survives in smaller, unsanctioned events, in camping trips that happen to include some riding, and in routes shared quietly among friends rather than promoted through press releases.

The real gravel continues wherever people gather to ride for the simple joy of it, for the stories they’ll share afterward, and for the annual tradition of coming together to remember why they love this strange, wonderful sport. It lives on in spite of the packaging, not because of it.

Gravel was never supposed to be polished or easy to scale. That was part of its charm. But in a world where everything must be systematized and monetized, we’re left mourning not just the loss of specific events, but the loss of a way of being together that felt rare and worth protecting.

If the heart of gravel cycling survives—and we have to believe it will—it’ll be because people remember what made it special in the first place. Not the professional photography or the livestream coverage, but the quiet moments: the shared water bottle at mile 80, the person who stayed back to help fix your flat, the understanding nod from someone who knew exactly what you’d been through out there.

Those moments can’t be bought or sold. They can only be protected, treasured, and passed along to the next rider who needs to know that somewhere, somehow, the real gravel family is still out there, still gathering, still riding toward something that can’t be captured in a press release.

 

Tour de France Stage 11: Abrahamsen’s Breakaway Masterpiece Amid Finish Line Controversy

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16/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 11 – Toulouse / Toulouse (156,8 km) – Tadej POGACAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG)

TOULOUSE, France (16 July 2025) – In the pink-brick embrace of Toulouse, where the Garonne winds through France’s rose-colored city, Jonas Abrahamsen wrote the most compelling chapter yet of his redemption story. The Norwegian’s maiden Tour de France victory on Stage 11 culminated a day of tactical brilliance and raw determination, yet the celebration was overshadowed by a pro-Palestinian protest that saw a demonstrator breach security during the final sprint, highlighting the political tensions that have followed the Israel-Premier Tech team throughout this year’s race.

The dramatic finish saw Abrahamsen edge Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla) in a photo finish, but their final sprint was accompanied by a man running alongside who wore a T-shirt saying “Israel out of the Tour,” and who waved a keffiyeh, the black-and-white checkered headscarf that has become a potent symbol of the Palestinian cause. A security guard ran out to apprehend the man, but not before the demonstrator’s message had been broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide.

The incident cast a shadow over what should have been a moment of pure sporting triumph for Abrahamsen and his Uno-X Mobility team. The Israel-Premier Tech team is racing at this year’s Tour with eight team members from other countries, and team members previously faced protests because of the team’s association with Israel, reflecting the broader geopolitical tensions that have occasionally intruded upon the world’s greatest bike race.

Yet amid the controversy, Abrahamsen’s victory stood as a testament to the transformative power of cycling’s most unforgiving arena. Just four weeks earlier, the 28-year-old from Lillehammer had lain in a hospital bed, tears streaming down his face as he contemplated a broken collarbone that threatened to end his Tour de France dreams before they had begun.

The Architecture of Audacity

The 156.8-kilometer circuit around Toulouse promised nothing if not drama. With 1,750 meters of elevation gain packed into a punchy parcours that would test every facet of racing craft, the stage represented the last opportunity for the breakaway specialists before the race’s inevitable descent into the crucible of the Pyrenees.

From the very moment the peloton rolled through kilometer zero, Abrahamsen’s intentions were crystal clear. The Norwegian’s attack was not the tentative probe of a rider testing the waters, but the full-blooded assault of a man who understood that opportunity rarely knocks twice at cycling’s highest level.

“This morning, I had the feeling maybe I can win this,” Abrahamsen would later reflect. “From the beginning, I invested myself 100% to make the break. I know I have a pretty good sprint and we had been out for a long time, sprinting from km 0.”

16/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 11 – Toulouse / Toulouse (156,8 km) – Davide BALLERINI (XDS ASTANA TEAM), Jonas ABRAHAMSEN (UNO-X MOBILITY), Mauro SCHMID (TEAM JAYCO ALULA) – Photo © A.S.O.

Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla) and Davide Ballerini (XDS Astana) were quick to recognize the quality of Abrahamsen’s move, bridging across to form an initial triumvirate. But behind them, the peloton seethed with ambition. The first rest day had recharged batteries and sharpened appetites, creating a combustible atmosphere that would define the opening two hours of racing.

16/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 11 – Toulouse / Toulouse (156,8 km) – Jonas ABRAHAMSEN (UNO-X MOBILITY), Mauro SCHMID (TEAM JAYCO ALULA), Davide BALLERINI (XDS ASTANA TEAM) – Photo © A.S.O.

The aggressive intentions of the field manifested immediately in the form of Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), whose relentless probing set the tone for a day when seemingly every rider harbored designs on glory. Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) animated the early exchanges with his characteristic aggression, while Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) and Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) added their own contributions to the opening salvos.

16/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 11 – Toulouse / Toulouse (156,8 km) – Wout VAN AERT (TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE) – Photo © A.S.O.

The pace was nothing short of brutal. In the first hour alone, the three leaders covered 51.7 kilometers – a testament to the relentless pressure being applied from behind. Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (Total Energies) eventually bridged across at kilometer 74, bringing the lead group to five riders, but the gap remained frustratingly narrow at just one minute.

16/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 11 – Toulouse / Toulouse (156,8 km) – Mauro SCHMID (TEAM JAYCO ALULA), Mathieu BURGAUDEAU (TOTALENERGIES) – Photo © A.S.O.

A Yellow Jersey’s Courageous Calculation

The race’s tactical complexion shifted dramatically with 65 kilometers remaining when Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) unleashed an attack that sent shockwaves through the peloton. The yellow jersey’s move was audacious in its timing and devastating in its implications, forcing an immediate response from Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and drawing Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) into the tactical labyrinth.

16/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 11 – Toulouse / Toulouse (156,8 km) – Matteo JORGENSON (TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE), Tadej POGACAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.

“At some point, Tadej missed a split and the opportunity arose for me to attack along with Jonas,” Healy explained. “I did so because I felt like putting the hammer down. The final was very tough, too, making for a pretty hard day.”

The yellow jersey’s aggression served as a catalyst for a new wave of attacks. Simmons, sensing opportunity, put the hammer down with Van Aert on his wheel, while Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Axel Laurance (Ineos Grenadiers), and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) formed a dangerous quintet of chasers. The race was fragmenting into multiple groups, each driven by different motivations and tactical imperatives.

The sight of Healy attacking while wearing the yellow jersey was unprecedented in its boldness. Most maillot jaune wearers adopt a conservative approach, content to mark their rivals and defend their advantage. But the Irishman’s deficit to the pure climbers in the overall classification meant that passivity was not an option. His attack was both a tactical masterstroke and a declaration of intent: he would not surrender the yellow jersey without a fight.

Where Legends Are Forged

As the race entered its final 50 kilometers, the day’s true climbing challenges began to separate the contenders from the pretenders. The Côte de Vieille-Toulouse, with its summit at kilometer 142.5, provided the stage for Schmid’s decisive move. The Swiss rider’s attack was perfectly timed, coming at the moment when the lead group’s cohesion was beginning to fracture under the relentless pressure.

Abrahamsen’s response was immediate and decisive. The Norwegian’s bridge to Schmid demonstrated the tactical intelligence that had carried him through eight years of professional racing. Rather than panic at being dropped, he calculated his effort precisely, joining the Swiss rider at the front while conserving enough energy for the battles ahead.

Behind them, Simmons set off in lone pursuit, his aggressive style perfectly suited to the punchy terrain. But the gap was already beginning to stretch, and the specter of Van der Poel’s pursuit group loomed large in the tactical calculations.

The mighty Côte de Pech David (800 meters at 12.4%) served as the day’s decisive selection point. The gradient was severe enough to expose any weakness, yet short enough to reward pure explosive power. Schmid and Abrahamsen crested with a 20-second advantage over their nearest pursuers, while Van der Poel led the chase group at 30 seconds.

The Dutchman’s presence in the chase group added a new dimension to the tactical equation. Van der Poel’s pursuit was relentless, his trademark combination of power and tactical acumen gradually reducing the gap. The former world champion’s effort was nothing short of heroic, clawing back precious seconds with each pedal stroke in a display that epitomized the never-say-die spirit of professional cycling.

Crashes and Sportsmanship

Even as the leaders battled for stage victory, drama was unfolding in the general classification group. Pogačar’s crash with six kilometers remaining sent shockwaves through the peloton, but the incident also provided a moment of sporting grace that reminded viewers why cycling commands such passionate devotion.

16/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 11 – Toulouse / Toulouse (156,8 km) – Tadej POGACAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG), Jonas VINGEGAARD (TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE) – Photo © A.S.O.

The sight of Pogačar’s rivals – including Healy, Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel – waiting for the race leader to remount demonstrated the unwritten codes of conduct that govern professional cycling. In an era often characterized by marginal gains and tactical ruthlessness, their gesture of sportsmanship provided a welcome reminder of cycling’s more noble traditions.

16/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 11 – Toulouse / Toulouse (156,8 km) – Tadej POGACAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.

“Tadej crashed, but he quickly got back up and finished in the same time as his GC rivals,” the race report noted, but the bare facts could not capture the emotional weight of the moment. For Pogačar, the crash was a reminder of cycling’s cruel randomness; for his rivals, it was an opportunity to demonstrate that victory achieved through misfortune carries no lasting satisfaction.

The Final Sprint: Redemption Realized

As the race entered its final kilometers, Van der Poel’s pursuit reached its crescendo. The Dutchman’s effort was extraordinary, reducing the gap to just seven seconds at the line – a margin that seemed both tantalizingly close and definitively insufficient. His performance would have been worthy of victory on most days, but this stage belonged to the men who had dared to dream from kilometer zero.

16/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 11 – Toulouse / Toulouse (156,8 km) – Mathieu VAN DER POEL (ALPECIN-DECEUNINCK) – Photo © A.S.O.

The sprint between Abrahamsen and Schmid was a masterclass in tactical patience meeting raw determination. Both riders had invested everything in reaching this point, emptying themselves across 156 kilometers of aggressive racing. The Norwegian’s victory was decided by the narrowest of margins, but the significance of the moment transcended mere measurements.

16/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 11 – Toulouse / Toulouse (156,8 km) – Jonas ABRAHAMSEN (UNO-X MOBILITY), Mauro SCHMID (TEAM JAYCO ALULA) – Photo © A.S.O.
16/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 11 – Toulouse / Toulouse (156,8 km) – Jonas ABRAHAMSEN (UNO-X MOBILITY) – Photo © A.S.O.

“I gave it my all in the sprint, it was so difficult to pass [Mauro Schmid] but I was thinking: I have to win this stage of the Tour de France, I have to win!” Abrahamsen reflected. “I believed all day and I actually got the win, that’s incredible.”

The Comeback Chronicles

The true magnitude of Abrahamsen’s triumph could only be understood through the lens of his recent struggles. The collarbone fracture suffered just four weeks earlier had threatened to derail not only his Tour de France participation but potentially his entire season. The physical rehabilitation was only part of the challenge; the mental fortitude required to return to peak performance in such a short timeframe was perhaps even more demanding.

“I broke my collarbone 4 weeks ago. I was crying in the hospital, thinking I wouldn’t ride the Tour de France,” Abrahamsen revealed. “But on the day after, I was on the home trainer. I did everything to come back. I came to the Tour with the ambition to help the team as much as possible. And now to be here, as a stage winner, it’s just amazing.”

The Norwegian’s journey from hospital bed to Tour stage winner represented more than personal redemption; it embodied the very essence of professional cycling’s unforgiving demands. In a sport where careers can be derailed by a single moment of misfortune, Abrahamsen’s recovery demonstrated the mental resilience that separates the great from the merely good.

For Uno-X Mobility, the victory represented a milestone moment in the team’s evolution. The Norwegian squad had long punched above its weight in the sport’s biggest races, but a Tour de France stage victory had remained elusive. Abrahamsen’s triumph not only vindicated the team’s development strategy but also provided inspiration for the next generation of Norwegian cyclists.

Politics and Sport

The finish line protest, while brief, served as a stark reminder of the broader political tensions that have occasionally intruded upon the Tour de France. The Israel-Premier Tech team acquired the right to enter the Tour de France in 2020 when Israel Start-Up National took over Katusha’s WorldTour license and has since claimed three stage victories, though none yet in this year’s race.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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The demonstration highlighted the complex relationship between sport and politics in an increasingly polarized world. Team members previously faced protests because of the team’s association with Israel, which has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians in 21 months of war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The war was sparked by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed some 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023. Since the start of the war, Israel has also launched attacks on Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran.

For race organizers, the incident represented a security challenge that extends beyond the immediate concerns of athlete safety. The Tour de France’s global audience of millions makes it an attractive platform for political messaging, creating an ongoing tension between the race’s sporting mission and its inadvertent role as a stage for broader geopolitical conflicts.

Milan’s Ongoing Quest

While Abrahamsen claimed the stage victory, the ongoing battle for the green jersey provided its own subplot to the day’s racing. Jonathan Milan’s quest to secure the points classification had transformed from a distant ambition into a daily reality, with each stage bringing new challenges and opportunities.

“The fight for the green jersey adds some pressure, because you can’t take an easy day and have to stay focused and in contention in every stage,” Milan acknowledged. “It’s completely different, and I like it. The mountains tomorrow don’t scare me. I just have to ride my own tempo, and luckily I will have teammates to support me. I’m 100% sure I will make it to the finish line inside the time cut.”

The Italian sprinter’s comments highlighted the unique demands of the points classification, where consistency often matters more than individual brilliance. Unlike the general classification, where a single bad day can effectively end a rider’s chances, the green jersey battle rewards those who can perform across cycling’s diverse disciplines.

Looking Toward the Pyrenees: The Real Race Begins

As the dust settled in Toulouse, attention quickly shifted to the looming Pyrenean stages that would likely determine the race’s ultimate outcome. Healy’s continued presence in the yellow jersey, despite the day’s aggressive racing, had set up a fascinating dynamic for the mountain stages ahead.

“It’s pretty ambitious to try and keep the Yellow Jersey atop Hautacam with guys like Tadej and Jonas in contention, yet I’m optimistic and will give it a go tomorrow,” Healy stated. “I’m enjoying this Yellow Jersey so much… It’s being crazy at home, and it’s incredible to wear it in the race.”

The Irishman’s realistic assessment of his chances reflected the pragmatic approach that had carried him to this point. His 29-second advantage over Pogačar was significant but not insurmountable, while the presence of Vingegaard and Evenepoel in the top four ensured that the mountain stages would be fiercely contested.

For Pogačar, the crash and subsequent chase had provided an unwelcome reminder of cycling’s unpredictable nature. Yet the Slovenian’s quick recovery and composure under pressure demonstrated the mental strength that had carried him to multiple Grand Tour victories. The real test would come in the mountains, where tactical nuance would give way to pure climbing ability.

Lessons in Breakaway Artistry

Abrahamsen’s victory provided a masterclass in the art of breakaway racing, demonstrating the complex interplay of timing, tactics, and raw determination that characterizes successful long-distance attacks. His decision to attack from kilometer zero was not impulsive but calculated, recognizing that the day’s profile favored those bold enough to commit fully from the start.

The Norwegian’s ability to maintain his intensity throughout the 156-kilometer stage while conserving enough energy for the final sprint exemplified the tactical intelligence that separates successful breakaway specialists from those who merely participate in the early moves. His collaboration with Schmid in the final kilometers demonstrated the psychological complexity of breakaway racing, where temporary allies must eventually become adversaries.

Van der Poel’s pursuit provided the perfect counterpoint to the leaders’ tactics, showcasing the different skill set required for chase groups. The Dutchman’s ability to coordinate the chase while maintaining his own sprint finish demonstrated why he remains one of cycling’s most feared competitors across multiple disciplines.

From Despair to Triumph

The broader narrative of Stage 11 encapsulated everything that makes the Tour de France cycling’s most compelling sporting spectacle. From Abrahamsen’s hospital bed tears to his victory salute, from political protest to sporting sportsmanship, the day’s events ran the full gamut of human emotion and experience.

The stage also highlighted the Tour’s unique ability to transform individual stories into collective mythology. Abrahamsen’s victory would be remembered not just as a tactical triumph but as a symbol of resilience and determination. The protest, while controversial, reflected the race’s position as a global platform that transcends mere sport.

As the race prepared to enter the Pyrenees, Stage 11 served as a reminder that the Tour de France’s greatest strength lies not in its predictability but in its capacity for surprise. In a sport increasingly dominated by data and marginal gains, Abrahamsen’s victory demonstrated that courage and calculation remain the essential ingredients for success.

The road to Toulouse had provided drama, controversy, and redemption in equal measure. But as the sun set over the pink-brick city, one truth remained constant: the Tour de France’s greatest stories are written not by those who play it safe, but by those who dare to dream and possess the courage to pursue those dreams across the unforgiving roads of France.

By The Numbers

1: ABRAHAMSEN NEW WINNER
Jonas Abrahamsen raises his arms for the first time in his third Tour, having already competed in 2023 and 2024. He previously had two podium finishes: 3rd in Bourg-en-Bresse in 2023 (stage 18), 2nd in Bologna in 2024 (stage 2). It comes 409 days after his first professional victory, achieved at the 2024 Brussels Cycling Classic.

53: UNO-X MOBILITY FOR THE FIRST TIME
Jonas Abrahamsen gives Uno-X Mobility its first Tour victory. The Norwegian team had previously achieved six podium finishes with Abrahamsen (2), Alexander Kristoff (2), Tobias Johannessen (1), and Søren Wærenskjold (1). Today was its 53rd stage, just like Abrahamsen, who made his Tour debut with the team. The Tudor team, participating for the first time, is now the only of the 2025 peloton without a win.

156: FROM START TO FINISH
Jonas Abrahamsen attacked from the start of the stage, completing the 156.8 kilometers of the day at the front. This is the first victory by a rider who started a breakaway at kilometer zero since Kasper Asgreen in Bourg-en-Bresse in 2023 (stage 18). The same day, Abrahamsen finished 3rd, securing his first Tour podium (and even top-10).

2: SWITZERLAND, SO CLOSE
Second, Mauro Schmid is the first Swiss rider on a stage podium since Stefan Küng’s 2nd place in the Laval time trial in 2021, four years ago. For a road stage, the last podium finish was five years ago: Sébastien Reichenbach 3rd in Villard-de-Lans (Tour 2020, stage 16). 2020 is also the year of the last Swiss victory, achieved by Marc Hirschi in Sarran.

8: DE LIE STILL SEARCHING HIS FIRST VICTORY
Fourth, Arnaud De Lie finished in the top 5 of a Tour stage for the 8th time. He’s also the best young rider of the day. He is the only rider to have a top 5 finish in three of the last four stages (5th in Laval, 3rd in Châteauroux, 4th in Toulouse).

20: A SUCCESSOR TO KRISTOFF
Jonas Abrahamsen claimes Norway’s 20th Tour victory, the first since Alexander Kristoff in Nice in 2020 (stage 1). He’s the 6th Norwegian rider to win after Thor Hushovd (10 times), Kristoff (8), Edvald Boasson Hagen (3), Kurt-Asle Arvesen (1), and Dag-Otto Lauritzen (1). Lauritzen opened the road by winning the 14th stage of the Tour 1987 in Luz-Ardiden.

1903: TOULOUSE, PAST AND PRESENT
Toulouse, along with Paris, is the only stage city from the first Tour de France in 1903 to be in the 2025 program. This is the 27th time the “Pink City” has hosted a stage start, and also a stage finish. The last two ended in a bunch sprint – Mark Cavendish in 2008 and Caleb Ewan in 2019. For a victory achieved in a different configuration (like today), you have to go back to Juan Antonio Flecha in 2003.

3: A BRAVE NORWEGIAN
Jonas Abrahamsen won two combativity awards last year, in Bologna (stage 2) and Colombey-les-Deux-Églises (stage 8). Receiving this award for the 3rd time today, he is the Norwegian with the most prizes. The other five have only won it once each (Dag-Otto Lauritzen in 1988, Thor Hushovd in 2009, Vegard Stake Laengen in 2017, Sven Erik Bystrom in 2022, and Tobias Johannessen in 2024).

10: HEALY IN YELLOW BEFORE THE PYRENEES
Ben Healy keeps his Yellow Jersey, his second and Ireland’s 10th. He has one more than his compatriot Sean Kelly, and closes in on Seamus Elliott (4) and Stephen Roche (3), on the eve of a mountain stage where his jersey will be in danger.


Stage 11 Results

    1. Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) – 3:15:56
    2. Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla) – +0:00
    3. Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) – +0:07
    4. Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) – +0:53
    5. Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) – +0:53
    6. Axel Laurance (Ineos Grenadiers) – +0:53
    7. Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious) – +0:53
    8. Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies) – +0:53
    9. Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) – +0:53
    10. Davide Ballerini (XDS Astana Team) – +1:11

General Classification after Stage 11

    1. Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) – 41:01:13
    2. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – +0:29
    3. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) – +1:29
    4. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) – +1:46
    5. Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) – +2:06
    6. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) – +2:26
    7. Oscar Onley (Picnic PostNL) – +3:24
    8. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) – +3:34
    9. Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) – +3:41
    10. Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) – +5:03

Jersey Holders after Stage 11

    • Yellow Jersey (General Classification): Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost)
    • Green Jersey (Points Classification): Jonathan Milan
    • Polka-dot Jersey (King of the Mountains): Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious)
    • White Jersey (Best Young Rider): Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost)

 

Sarah Sturm and Zach Calton Top 2025 Crusher in the Tushar – Report, Results, and Photos

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BEAVER, Utah (July 12, 2025) – The 2025 Crusher in the Tushar was held on July 12 in the Tushar Mountains in Beaver, Utah. The 13th annual event, started by Utah legend Burke Swindlehurst and now promoted by Life Time, saw 800 participants from 33 states and 7 countries across the various fields. The event returned after being cancelled in 2024 due to wildfires. This year’s event had an $8500 purse that was divided evenly among the men’s and women’s pro fields. The keystone event is a 69.9 mile, 10400′ of climbing, 60% gravel jaunt through the Tushars. The event also introduced the 37 mile Half Crushed option with 6300′ of climbing to give participants a less intense option. The race starts in Beaver, Utah and finishes at the Eagle Point Ski Resort.

Race Recap:

Zach Calton on his way to winning the Pro Men’s category. Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar

In the men’s race, Zach Calton (Ventum – Shimano) quieted all challengers to take the win. He described his race: 

“We rolled up the pavement start easy. A one-man break (Rob Smallman) went up the road. Once we turn off the main highway and start the initial climb proper I went to the front and kept a hard tempo. I knew I was in good shape and had good preparation for this course and the altitude so I was confident I could put the hurt on and I was lucky to have great legs on the day.

I looked back every few minutes and found a smaller and smaller group in tow. Eventually a 3-man group – myself, Torbjørn, and Jake Allen – established a solid gap. As the climb flattens out near the top, I was less keen to pull with the increased draft benefit and Jake and Torbjørn didn’t seem anxious to either. 

Henry Nelson and Nathan Spratt ended up closing the gap as we crested the top before dropping down the Col de Crush.

Henry and Torbjørn pushed the descent pretty hard and I followed. We dropped Jake and Nathan there. We rolled an easy tempo around to Circleville, as we got onto Sarlacc Pit Nathan bridged back up.

Once on the Pit, I hit it hard again and Torbjørn and Henry followed. Nathan was undoubtedly tired from the time in the wind while we had a group of 3.

We had agreed pre-race to stop at aid 4 after the Pit. Torbjørn and I had established a 10-15 second gap on Henry so I quickly filled a bottle and got out of there with a small gap on the other 2. 

Torbjørn bridged up on the road but I was able to get a gap about 1/4 up the Col. It slowly expanded to 2 minutes as we crested the Col de Crush and then I soloed from there maintaining that 2 minutes to the finish.

Next for me is the Leadville 100 MTB where I hope to get a podium finish.”

In the women’s race, Sarah Sturm attacked on the Col du Crush and soloed to the finish. Emma Langley and Anna Gibson finished second and third respectively.

Brief Results:

Crusher in the Tushar – Pro/Open Women
Name City Age Time
Sarah Sturm Durango, CO 35 4:57:13
Emma Langley Richmond, VA 29 4:58:09
Anna Gibson Teton Village, WY 26 4:59:13
Crusher in the Tushar – Pro/Open Men
Name City Age Time
Zach Calton Ogden, UT 28 4:09:48
Torbjørn Røed Asker, Norway 28 4:11:55
Henry Nelson Durango, CO 23 4:16:32
Crusher in the Tushar – Non-Binary
Name City Age Time
Clay Wilkes Sandy, UT 36 6:39:39
Half Crushed – Open Women
Name City Age Time
Alison Frye Salt Lake City, UT 60 3:37:47
Teresa Eggertsen Park City, UT 61 3:44:16
Natalie Andrews Cedar City, UT 42 3:46:23
Half Crushed – Open Men
Name City Age Time
Isaiah Jerez Henderson, NV 46 3:12:07
Lars Leckie Truckee, CA 52 3:21:16
Creed Flynn Ogden, UT 32 3:41:26

Full results are here.

Zach Calton winning the Pro Men’s category. Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Race founder Burke Swindlehurst had a chance to race rather than organize the event. Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Women’s Pro winner Sarah Sturm crosses the line. Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar
Zach Calton on his way to winning the Pro Men’s category. Scenes from the 2025 Crusher in the Tushar, Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Crusher in the Tushar