![\"Belgian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DYxGRGLkg3uHcr4KFwqMrP.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRefresh <\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:46:10.830Z<\/p>\n
Wellens is, at last, done, and Jhonatan Narv\u00e1ez takes over for UAE.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:45:47.265Z<\/p>\n
Lipowitz is isolated, with Vlasov also dropped.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:45:24.126Z<\/p>\n
Rogli\u010d is dropped already. He could slide down the GC today – the gamble hasn’t paid off.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:43:42.371Z<\/p>\n
Wellens leads the peloton onto the climb as the gradient ramps up. The final Alpine battle is about to commence!<\/p>\n
LA PLAGNE<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:43:00.358Z<\/p>\n
Tim Wellens is still the man pulling the peloton, as they near the start of La Plagne.<\/p>\n
20KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:41:05.422Z<\/p>\n
Rogli\u010d has been caught – the peloton is now the front of the race.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:39:26.608Z<\/p>\n
Vauquelin has two domestiques pacing for him, but he isn\u2019t making any ground up on the peloton, 1:40 behind.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:38:04.718Z<\/p>\n
Rogli\u010d is looking behind him and peddling softly, waiting to be caught.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:36:39.370Z<\/p>\n
Rogli\u010d is only 15 seconds ahead of the peloton. The catch feels imminent.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:35:22.479Z<\/p>\n
Tim Wellens is the man who’s done the damage in the peloton. He and UAE are on a mission, not giving the breakaway an inch. Poga\u010dar must want the stage win today.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:32:57.865Z<\/p>\n
As for Vauquelin, he\u2019s in a group that is 1:30 behind the peloton. That\u2019s most of his advantage over Johannessen in 8th already eaten into.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:31:31.135Z<\/p>\n
Martinez and Paret-Peintre have both been caught by the peloton, leaving Rogli\u010d as the only man up the road – with a slender lead of just 40 seconds.<\/p>\n
30KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:30:11.232Z<\/p>\n
Rogli\u010d is on a tricky stretch of road now. The gradient has shallowed and he has his nose to the wind riding alone, trying to hold off a peloton that are still going hard.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:27:26.553Z<\/p>\n
The peloton is coming back together, after the splits earlier on the descent.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:25:34.373Z<\/p>\n
Paret-Peintre has gone clear of Martinez. There are about 12 seconds between each riders now.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:24:50.858Z<\/p>\n
The peloton is flying down this descent. The pace is so high that there are some splits, with the UAE and Visma riders pressing on.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:21:03.525Z<\/p>\n
Rogli\u010d has opened up a lead of 10 seconds over the two chasers on this descent, and almost a minute over the peloton.<\/p>\n
40KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:17:06.110Z<\/p>\n
Paret-Peintre has been caught by the other two as they continue to descend, and now Rogli\u010d has flown clear of both of them.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:16:24.763Z<\/p>\n
The new KOM rankings, as Martinez edges a little closer to the lead:<\/p>\n
1 Poga\u010dar 105<\/p>\n
2 Martinez 97<\/p>\n
3 Vingegaard 89<\/p>\n
4 Arensman 65<\/p>\n
5 O\u2019Connor 51<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:15:04.135Z<\/p>\n
With Rogli\u010d up the road, and committed to this attack, Red Bull really have taken a gamble. If he gets caught before the finish having tired himself with the effort, and Lipowitz dropped by Onley on the final climb without a teammate to help him, they could wind up losing both their podium spot and the white jersey.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:12:42.410Z<\/p>\n
Paret-Peintre has taken off on the descent, and is second ahead of the more cautious Rogli\u010d and Martinez.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:11:46.897Z<\/p>\n
It’s started raining, just as the riders begin the long descent of the Roseland.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:10:52.727Z<\/p>\n
The peloton reach the top of the climb, about 48 seconds behind the leading trio. They’re being kept on a tight leash.<\/p>\n
50KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:10:13.213Z<\/p>\n
Martinez comes through to take the points, and the other two don’t fight him for it.<\/p>\n
KOM – CORMET DE ROSELAND<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:08:00.815Z<\/p>\n
Martinez has managed to close the gap and is back with the leaders, just 1km from the summit. He really wants these points, but looks on the limit.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:06:46.393Z<\/p>\n
There are about 30 riders in the peloton, still being led by Leknessund. The Vauquelin group is over a minute behind.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:05:13.930Z<\/p>\n
Rogli\u010d has stayed on his wheel, but Martinez is well dropped.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:04:45.065Z<\/p>\n
Paret-Peintre looks to have recovered from his struggles on the Col du Pr\u00e9 – he\u2019s now attacking the other two!<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:02:18.115Z<\/p>\n
The chase group between the leaders and the peloton appears to have been caught, and the gap between them is down to just 30 seconds.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T14:01:03.470Z<\/p>\n
Uno-X have taken over at the front of the peloton from UAE, with Leknessund. It seems they\u2019re eyeing up seventh on GC with Johannessen, ahead of the dropped Vauquelin.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:59:06.423Z<\/p>\n
The three leaders on the descent earlier.<\/p>\n
![\"LA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/m4NQXBziYytyU6VNUsQgGQ.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:56:32.469Z<\/p>\n
They’ve begun the Cormet de Roseland, which climbs at 6.5% for 5.8km.<\/p>\n
CORMET DE ROSELAND<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:55:36.144Z<\/p>\n
Here are the updated KOM rankings. Martinez is closing down on Poga\u010dar, now just 13 points behind:<\/p>\n
1 Poga\u010dar 105<\/p>\n
2 Martinez 92<\/p>\n
3 Vingegaard 89<\/p>\n
4 Arensman 65<\/p>\n
5 O\u2019Connor 51<\/p>\n
6 Paret-Peintre 48<\/p>\n
7 Rogli\u010d 41<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:52:49.960Z<\/p>\n
Vauquelin was dropped on that climb, and is 20 seconds adrift from the peloton.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:52:24.211Z<\/p>\n
The three leaders are 35 seconds ahead of the Campanaerts chasing quartet, and 45 seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n
60KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:51:49.575Z<\/p>\n
The riders are already done descending on the cruelly short downhill off the Col du Pr\u00e9, and will be climbing again soon up the category two Cormet de Roselend.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:47:05.053Z<\/p>\n
Martinez is allowed to take all 20 points at the top of the climb uncontested. He’s reigniting his campaign for the polka-dot jersey, but still has to climb very well to take all the points he needs to dethrone Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n
KOM – COL DU PRE<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:45:39.407Z<\/p>\n
And now he’s caught them again! The Frenchman is having to dig so deep on these horrible gradients.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:45:05.349Z<\/p>\n
Paret-Peintre has been dropped again.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:44:07.534Z<\/p>\n
Well, he’d almost bridged up – he’s facing an agonising challenge to close the last few bikelengths. Now he is on their wheels.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:42:47.884Z<\/p>\n
Paret Peintre has bridged up to Rogli\u010d and Martinez.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:41:25.709Z<\/p>\n
Rogli\u010d and Martinez are 2km from the summit. They lead Paret-Peintre by 5 seconds, a group containing Rubio, Campanaerts, Armirail and Foss by 30 seconds, and the peloton by 48 seconds.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:39:54.078Z<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/hvGbV56ZLGo7z9kmqKtHbf.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:38:39.600Z<\/p>\n
Vauquelin is drifting towards the back of the peloton. He had to dig very deep to limit his losses yesterday, and looks like he faces another hard day in the saddle to defend his 7th place on GC.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:36:34.471Z<\/p>\n
It’s no surprise to see so many riders struggling on this mountain – averaging 7.8% for 12.6km, including many sharp ramps up its many hairpins, it\u2019s described by some as the hardest of this whole Tour.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:35:01.362Z<\/p>\n
Rogli\u010d and Martinez are looking strong. They’re 10 seconds ahead of Paret-Peintre, and almost 40 seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:32:30.615Z<\/p>\n
Martinez and Rogli\u010d have gone clear of the other three.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:31:58.065Z<\/p>\n
UAE still have healthy representation in the break. Tim Wellens leads, with others also surrounding their leader Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:30:39.494Z<\/p>\n
Valentin Paret-Peintre is the 5th rider to join the lead group.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:29:28.034Z<\/p>\n
Visma have lost a lot of riders from the peloton already – Jorgenson and Van Aert were dropped early, and now even Kuss is out the back.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:28:28.407Z<\/p>\n
Rogli\u010d, Rubio and Armirail have joined Martinez.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:27:39.995Z<\/p>\n
Martinez has bridged up to the leaders and attacked them. They’re about 20 seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n
70KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:24:23.537Z<\/p>\n
Storer, Rubio, Campanaerts and Armirail have gone with Rogli\u010d.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:23:43.561Z<\/p>\n
That group has been brought back by the peloton, but Rogli\u010d is still keen and trying to form a new lead group.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:21:32.667Z<\/p>\n
More riders have joined the lead group again, including the Visma duo of Campanaerts and Kuss.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:20:41.835Z<\/p>\n
About 8 riders have joined the two Bahrain men, including Rogli\u010d and Johannessen.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:18:44.056Z<\/p>\n
Two Bahrain riders have clipped off the front of this breakaway group – Stannard and Lenny Martinez.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:17:56.318Z<\/p>\n
8th and 9th place on GC, Tobias Halland Johannessen and Ben Healy, are also now in this lead group, which is getting ever bigger.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:15:48.718Z<\/p>\n
Jegat is also in this lead group, perhaps hoping to jump into the top ten. As is Arenesman, who will have his eye on KOM points.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:15:12.188Z<\/p>\n
This is a fascinating attack from Rogli\u010d. After their tactics backfired yesterday, you might have expected Red Bull to ride more conservatively, but are happy for the Slovenian to leave the side of Lipowitz, despite the German\u2019s slender hold on third-place.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:14:16.745Z<\/p>\n
Rogli\u010d and Baudin are in a group of about 8 riders, 10 seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:13:43.086Z<\/p>\n
Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d is on the attack again! He’s one of the man following this Baudin move.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:13:08.068Z<\/p>\n
Abrahamsen has been caught and passed.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:12:47.767Z<\/p>\n
As they begin the climb, the attacks do indeed commence – Baudin kicks things off with riders trying to follow.<\/p>\n
COL DU PRE<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:12:09.439Z<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the updated points classification. Poga\u010dar did not bother to take any points again, meaning Milan now has a very healthy advantage:<\/p>\n
1 Milan 352<\/p>\n
2 Poga\u010dar 257<\/p>\n
3 Girmay 213<\/p>\n
4 Turgis 169<\/p>\n
5 Vingegaard 165<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:09:46.991Z<\/p>\n
Abrahamsen has a lead of 10 seconds, but behind nobody seems interested in attacking yet. They might be waiting for the start of the climb, Col du Pr\u00e9, coming up soon.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:07:36.665Z<\/p>\n
Abrahamsen has a gap, but no riders have joined him.<\/p>\n
80KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:05:59.201Z<\/p>\n
Guess who? Jonas Abrahamsen kicks things off with an attack out of the sprint.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:05:35.845Z<\/p>\n
Simmons leads out Milan, and Milan takes the points ahead of Girmay and Turgis. They were happy with that order over the line, with nobody launching into a sprint.<\/p>\n
INTERMEDIATE SPRINT<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:03:38.350Z<\/p>\n
Milan is 5th in line, 1km away from the sprint.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T13:02:50.753Z<\/p>\n
Mechanical for Lusenko. That\u2019s going to make it hard for him to go on the attack after this sprint, if that was his plan – and it may well be, given the form he\u2019s been showing.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:58:57.080Z<\/p>\n
Just 4km until the intermediate sprint. It seems Lidl and Milan will be allowed to take the points before the action kicks off.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:54:18.472Z<\/p>\n
![\"ALBERTVILLE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cEaGkXZu7evHa5KL5jaWeN.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:52:00.180Z<\/p>\n
If this goes on until the intermediate sprint, this already reduced stage is in practice even shorter, to just 80km of racing. We can therefore expect a very explosive, intense day of racing, that could get very chaotic.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:49:12.499Z<\/p>\n
No riders are attempting to attack, all happy to allow Lidl-Trek to control the peloton for now.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:47:47.745Z<\/p>\n
Lidl-Trek are indeed adopting the same ploy as yesterday, moving to the front of the peloton right from the flag and controlling the race with a steady pace.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:46:49.563Z<\/p>\n
And they’re off!<\/p>\n
OFFICIAL START<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:44:44.514Z<\/p>\n
The sun is shining on the riders at the start, but the weather could become a factor later in the day – it\u2019s just started hailing at the finish atop La Plagne.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:42:28.010Z<\/p>\n
There have been no abandons overnight, meaning we still have 161 riders in the race.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:37:32.259Z<\/p>\n
The other jersey wearer today is Jonathan Milan.<\/p>\n
The intermediate sprint today comes just 12km into the stage today, before any climbs – we could therefore again see his Lidl-Trek team control the peloton and ensure no breakaways go clear before it to seal another haul of points over his closest rival Tadej Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n
![\"ALBERTVILLE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/PSaJ6cDUZShdJxzc8kKXaf.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:31:42.167Z<\/p>\n
There’s a big cheer from the crowd at the unofficial start as the riders take off. They’ll ride for 5km or so before Prudhomme waves the flag.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:29:31.941Z<\/p>\n
Florian Lipowitz remains in the white jersey, but both that and his third place position on GC is now under serious threat from Oscar Onley, who yesterday moved to just 22 seconds behind him. You imagine the German will ride much more conservatively than then, when he launched a long-range solo attack, but does he have the legs to fend off Onley?<\/p>\n
![\"ALBERTVILLE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rxaM5xHatsruekRn4aMJBo.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:25:11.410Z<\/p>\n
This stage might have been shortened, but there\u2019s still a serious amount of climbing to be done. The riders must complete two hors category climbs – the Col du Pr\u00e9 first up, then La Plagne at the finish.<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:18:50.449Z<\/p>\n
Incidentally, Jonas Vingegaard will be wearing the polka-dot jersey on loan from Poga\u010dar, having gained points at two of yesterday\u2019s hors category summits.<\/p>\n
The previous weather of the polka-dots, Lenny Martinez, faces a big challenge if he\u2019s to get them back – especially after he was docked eight points for taking a prolonged sticky bottle yesterday.<\/p>\n
![\"ALBERTVILLE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/uvT8XDSBjB9iuPBrEPDf2D.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-25T12:14:07.192Z<\/p>\n
Today will be the last stage in the High Alps, and therefore the last opportunity for Jonas Vingegaard to use his nearly-unparalleled climbing speed in the mountains. The Dane has the beating of everyone on the big mountains – that is, all expect the man in the yellow jersey, Tadej Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n
Despite being again unable to drop him yesterday, Vingegaard says he hasn\u2019t given up on winning yellow yet, so we can expect him to give it another go today.<\/p>\n
‘The Tour is not over’ – Jonas Vingegaard remains defiant on Col de la Loze despite failure to drop maillot jaune Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-25T12:07:54.671Z<\/p>\n Ben O\u2019Connor was the victor yesterday, following in the footsteps of Thymen Arensman at Superbagn\u00e8res by being the lone breakaway rider not to be caught by a charging Tadej Poga\u010dar. Here\u2019s what the Australian had to say when reflecting on his ride.<\/p>\n ‘It was the perfect scenario for me to win’ \u2013 Ben O’Connor plays the game to take long-awaited second Tour de France stage victory<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-25T11:58:24.053Z<\/p>\n Oscar Onley of Picnic-PostNL is the next on the sign-on podium before stage 19. It will be fascinating to see if he can snatch third place on the podium from Florian Lipowitz after reducing the gap to just 22 seconds.<\/p>\n Click here to read<\/a> what the Scot said after stage 18.<\/p>\n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-07-25T11:53:16.218Z<\/p>\n Geraint Thomas signs on with his Ineos Grenadiers and his reminded that he set-up his 2018 Tour victory with success on stage 11 that also started from Alberville.<\/p>\n “I remember but times have changed,” he said.<\/p>\n “Seven years ago I didn’t think I’d still be racing\u2026 Today is another big day in the Alps. I’m looking forward to the final one.”<\/p>\n “The last big mountain day was always going to be intense, now it’s been shortened it will be tough. This race is always flat out\u2026”<\/p>\n (Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-07-25T11:45:57.328Z<\/p>\n This morning everyone has been analysing and discussing the racing of stage 18.<\/p>\n![\"Oscar](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Vxu8bJSzz9eaXrQQgQd7La.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"LILLE,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CsLDwiKLqs9zLBpwmCJaq8.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"Tadej](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/H6gMPbUDwNTufzt8JMToE4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n