![\"Team](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/bA3y3qQDmav7z96yqxtUJj.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRefresh <\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:48:54.355Z<\/p>\n
Excitement is building. We\u2019ll soon be climbing the Col du Soulor, which is the first mountain of this year\u2019s race. The Tour de France proper is about to get underway!<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:42:50.403Z<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s Jonas Vingegaard riding in the peloton. While he and Visma went along with Ben Healy\u2019s call to wait for Poga\u010dar yesterday, you imagine they must be planning to test the Slovenian\u2019s shape in the aftermath of that fall today. Will they wait until the Hautacam, or try something on this upcoming mountain?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:40:01.502Z<\/p>\n
The road has started to go uphill a little, as we near the official start of the mountain. Still the gap remains 1:45.<\/p>\n
70KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:30:37.865Z<\/p>\n
For an idea of just how big this break is – you can pretty much see all of the 51 riders present in this image here.<\/p>\n
![\"Tudor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MdQtrdizG2vZnyBD9gYLBB.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:27:18.052Z<\/p>\n
We’re still in the same holding pattern, with the gap remaining at 1:45. That’s likely to change when they start climbing the category one Col du Soulor in about 20km, the foothills of which they’re approaching now.<\/p>\n
80KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:23:06.191Z<\/p>\n
That moves Van der Poel up to second place in the points classification. If he continues to pursue it from now until Paris, he could pose a real threat to Milan\u2019s green jersey. Here are the updated rankings:<\/p>\n
1 Milan 231<\/p>\n
2 Van der Poel 173<\/p>\n
3 Poga\u010dar 163<\/p>\n
4 Girmay 154<\/p>\n
5 Merlier 150<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:21:17.519Z<\/p>\n
Rex won the sprint for the 20 points, but Van der Poel finished ahead of Lidl’s Nys to take 17 points for himself.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:20:35.583Z<\/p>\n
Yes he does – it was a sprint between himself and Laurenz Rex (on behalf of Girmay) and one of the Lidl-Trek riders (on behalf of Milan).<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:19:06.952Z<\/p>\n
The intermediate sprint is coming up, in less than a kilometre. With Van der Poel go for the points?<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:18:09.836Z<\/p>\n
Fred Wright moves to the front to take the one KOM point. Curiously, his teammate and rider in the polka-dot jersey, Lenny Martinez, did not make a move to take the point – perhaps he’s resting himself to ensure he’s in the mix to take the greater number of points available on the later, bigger summits today.<\/p>\n
KOM – CORE DE LABATMALE<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:14:33.704Z<\/p>\n
As they climb, the break leads by 1:45.<\/p>\n
90KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:14:10.750Z<\/p>\n
The riders are climbing up a categorised hill for the first time – but it\u2019s small fry compared to what\u2019s to come. This C\u00f4te de Labatmale climbs for only 1.3km at 6.8%.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:09:47.550Z<\/p>\n
Coquard is back up and riding, but has a lot of ground to make up to get into the peloton.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:09:23.706Z<\/p>\n
Swift was the Ineos rider, and he hasn\u2019t pressed on, and is back in the group. That might be a sign that cohesion is breaking down a little.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:08:23.284Z<\/p>\n
Some movement in the front group, as one of the Ineos riders accelerates and gets a gap.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:07:28.612Z<\/p>\n
Bryan Coquard has a problem, seemingly with his wrist. We haven\u2019t seen him go down, but he\u2019s had to stop and drop out of the break, while a medic sees to him.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T13:01:51.462Z<\/p>\n
Still the gap remains the same, at 1:45 as we move into the second half of the stage.<\/p>\n
100KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:57:08.328Z<\/p>\n
With the gap still hovering at just below 2 minutes, Carlos Rodr\u00edguez has jumped two places on the virtual GC from 12th to 10th, leapfrogging Gall and Johannessen.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:55:15.392Z<\/p>\n
Here’s Ben Healy, enjoying what will surely be his last day in the yellow jersey.<\/p>\n
![\"EF](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/UQgAfiPkpiVs6L58GUqfDC.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:49:44.762Z<\/p>\n
The gap’s gone up a bit, to 1:40. This fight is going to go on for a long time, with domestiques being used up before the climbing starts come the final phase of the race.<\/p>\n
110KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:46:41.642Z<\/p>\n
Tadej Poga\u010dar is also now at the team car for something – nothing medical, however. He’s looking fine on that front.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:45:24.022Z<\/p>\n
The advantage is swinging towards the peloton. The gap\u2019s going down, and is now back to nearly 1:30.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:42:03.482Z<\/p>\n
Evenepoel is getting paced back into the peloton by Eenkhoorn, having dropped back to his team car. He looks relaxed.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:36:48.097Z<\/p>\n
Still the gap remains about the same, at 1:45. The pace is very high, with both the lead group and the peloton riding hard.<\/p>\n
120KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:31:20.588Z<\/p>\n
There’s no sign that Tadej Poga\u010dar is suffering from his fall yesterday. The real tests are to come later, however, where we’ll really see how he’s feeling.<\/p>\n
![\"UAE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/3y3Nmg9oiuabzL5KvoRCFd.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:26:33.748Z<\/p>\n
In terms of the King of the Mountains classification, Lenny Martinez has a chance to extend his lead having gotten into the break. There are a lot of points on offer, with a category four, two, one and hors climbs on the menu.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:25:01.220Z<\/p>\n
Only one team has missed the break completely – Picnic PostNL. This move is also dangerous for their GC man, Oscar Onley, but there\u2019s no sign of them working in the peloton for now.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:24:20.750Z<\/p>\n
The race is in a holding pattern for now, with the break’s lead hovering at just under two minutes.<\/p>\n
130KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:20:46.805Z<\/p>\n
Mathieu van der Poel is also, yet again, in the break. This surely won\u2019t be another stage win for the Dutchman, but he does have the chance to pick up some points at the intermediate sprint if he fancies it. None of his green jersey rivals are present in the group.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:18:57.896Z<\/p>\n
The peloton, which is still being led by EF, Uno-X Mobility and UAE.<\/p>\n
![\"Uno-X](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pinVt2ZZp3wrMK7MV8CkQA.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:17:01.377Z<\/p>\n
Pablo Castrillo has had a puncture. He\u2019s one of three Movistar riders in the break who might fancy their chances of a stage win, along with Rubio and Romeo.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:14:45.280Z<\/p>\n
The peloton has managed to peg the gap again at 1:50. They\u2019re just about keeping this in control, but it feels perilous.<\/p>\n
140KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:10:35.255Z<\/p>\n
While Ineos have five riders in the break, three teams have four riders: Cofidis, Tudor and Bahrain, including their respective leaders Martin, Alaphilippe and Buitrago.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:08:02.405Z<\/p>\n
Ineos leading the big breakaway group. This could be a potentially great day for them, if they can propel Rodr\u00edguez back into the top ten on GC, and possibly higher.<\/p>\n
![\"HAUTACAM,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/KNTEzsU4StDieGkaUnB2FU.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:06:01.252Z<\/p>\n
The front group is still moving quicker than the peloton. Thor lead has grown to 1:50.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:05:19.178Z<\/p>\n
EF are also working with UAE and Uno-X Mobility at the front of the peloton. Healy has a negligible chance of keeping the yellow jersey today, but the team still feel obliged to ride in its defence nonetheless.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:03:24.947Z<\/p>\n
Each of the top three GC teams have one rider in the break – Benoot for Visma, Wellens for UAE, and Schachmann for Soudal-QuickStep.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T12:02:30.037Z<\/p>\n
Uno-X Mobility are back at the front of the peloton leading the chase. They are presumably working for Tobias Halland Johannessen, whose 10th place on GC is under threat from this group.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:59:57.421Z<\/p>\n
Politt\u2019s work has pegged the gap at 1:30, but there\u2019s still a great deal of cohesion in the lead group, with other teams working with Ineos at the front.<\/p>\n
150KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:59:11.061Z<\/p>\n
As well as having the most dangerous GC man, Ineos are also the best represented in this group with five riders – Swift, Foss, Laurance and Arensman are there with Rodr\u00edguez.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:57:39.332Z<\/p>\n
Now Nils Politt takes over at the front of the peloton for UAE, as the deficit reaches 1:30.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:56:07.600Z<\/p>\n
Back in the peloton, it\u2019s Uno-X Mobility who are leading, rather than any of the major GC teams. It seems UAE and Visma aren\u2019t worried about the threat posed by Rodr\u00edguez.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:55:06.345Z<\/p>\n
There\u2019s lots of collaboration in this front group. Ineos are especially keen, pressing on with their GC leader Carlos Rodr\u00edguez present.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:53:45.487Z<\/p>\n
After Carlos Rodr\u00edguez, the next highest ranked rider on GC in the break is Guillame Martin (10:44 down), followed by O\u2019Connor (who is 11:50) and Skjelmose (12:45).<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:51:21.361Z<\/p>\n
And the gap continues to grow – it\u2019s now up to one minute.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:50:11.919Z<\/p>\n
This group has a decent gap, too, of about 30 seconds.<\/p>\n
160KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:49:51.186Z<\/p>\n
There are plenty of quality climbers, and therefore potential stage winners, also present, who aren\u2019t threats on GC. Such as: Ben O\u2019Connor, Thymen Arensman, Lenny Martinez, Santiago Buitrago, Michael Storer and Aleksandr Vlasov.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:48:00.131Z<\/p>\n
Carlos Rodr\u00edguez is in this front group. He\u2019s 12th on GC, at 5:44.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:46:51.634Z<\/p>\n
This front group seems to be about 50 riders big. Is it the peloton, or a breakaway group? It\u2019s certainly big enough to the former, but has none of the main GC riders in it – at least who have been spotted yet.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:45:45.323Z<\/p>\n
There\u2019s been a split in the peloton, with a big group slipping off the front. It seems the main GC contenders are in the peloton behind.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:42:35.112Z<\/p>\n
He\u2019s brought back quickly, but several counter moves are made in response.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:41:02.291Z<\/p>\n
The attacks stopped for a moment, but Victor Campanaerts has reignited the race with a move.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:39:33.062Z<\/p>\n
The scene at the start from Auch today.<\/p>\n
![\"AUCH,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/6RoB3tnBtbvqVLToTvWAhY.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:38:18.889Z<\/p>\n
Neither Thomas nor O’Connor have managed to go clear, while the four-man group featuring Lutsenko has also been brought back.<\/p>\n
170KM TO GO<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:37:12.618Z<\/p>\n
Ben O’Connor counter-attacks. The terrain is pretty flat for now, but the climbers are trying to get into the break, aware of what’s to come.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:36:36.856Z<\/p>\n
Geraint Thomas is attacking from the peloton.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:34:05.766Z<\/p>\n
Alexandre Delettre and Pascal Eenkhoorn are the two riders with Lutsenko. They\u2019ve also been joined by Marco Haller.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:33:17.888Z<\/p>\n
Alexey Lutsenko attacks and has a gap, with a few riders accompanying him.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:31:42.828Z<\/p>\n
Gachignard has been brought back, and the attacks continue, with Visma-Lease a Bike involved.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:31:08.113Z<\/p>\n
Thomas Gachignard is the first rider to gain a gap, and currently leads the race.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:30:28.381Z<\/p>\n
There\u2019s an intermediate sprint about 90km into the stage, before we reach the Pyrenees. The green jersey contenders may sense an opportunity to gain some points if they can get into the break, before they drop away on the climbs.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:28:36.206Z<\/p>\n
Several more riders are now trying attacks, including green jersey contenders Milan and Girmay.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:28:16.258Z<\/p>\n
In fact, that Uno-X Mobility rider was in fact Abrahamsen – his appetite is insatiable.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:27:37.121Z<\/p>\n
There won\u2019t be a repeat of that feat, however – the move with the Uno-X Mobility rider was shut down pretty much straight away.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:26:38.121Z<\/p>\n
And it’s d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu from yesterday – once again it\u2019s an Uno-X Mobility rider who is first to attack, right from the flag. Yesterday that man was Jonas Abrahamsen, who went on to spectacularly win the stage.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:25:31.203Z<\/p>\n
And we’re off!<\/p>\n
OFFICIAL START<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:25:14.387Z<\/p>\n
Just a few hundred metres until Christian Prudhomme emerges from his car to fly the flag.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:24:22.727Z<\/p>\n
The finish of yesterday\u2019s stage was disrupted by a protester. He wore a t-shirt saying \u2018Israel out of the Tour\u2019, and according to the Le Parisien shouted \u2018Israel on the Tour, the Tour is complicit\u2019.<\/p>\n
Political protestor tackled at Tour de France finish in Toulouse as Abrahamsen-Schmid duo sweep across the line to conclude stage 11<\/a><\/p>\n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T11:15:41.581Z<\/p>\n There was a sombre atmosphere at the unofficial start, as riders paid respect to Samuele Privitera, the young Italian rider who died after crashing at the Giro della Valle d\u2019Aosta.<\/p>\n Hagens Berman Jayco rider Samuele Privitera dies after crash on stage 1 of Giro della Valle d\u2019Aosta<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T11:12:42.822Z<\/p>\n The riders are on the move, setting off the unofficial start in Auch for the neutralised zone.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:57:50.168Z<\/p>\n A dressing on Tadej Poga\u010dar’s left arm after yesterday’s crash.<\/p>\n We wonder what the topic of conversation is between these two this morning…<\/p>\n (Image credit: Loic VENANCE\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:52:18.988Z<\/p>\n Want to find out even more about today’s route? Here’s an in-depth preview of today’s stage:<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:48:04.543Z<\/p>\n While today’s ascent of the Hautacam isn’t just a two-horse race between Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Poga\u010dar, there is history here between the two main yellow jersey contenders.<\/p>\n On the last visit to the Pyrenean climb in 2022, Vingegaard increased his stranglehold on the race and dropped Poga\u010dar on the hors cat\u00e9gorie climb’s slopes.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:41:50.687Z<\/p>\n There’s only one non-starter this morning: Cees Bol (XDS Astana) has departed the Tour due to sickness.<\/p>\n Find a full list of all the riders to leave the Tour de France so far here<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:30:49.627Z<\/p>\n To gear up for today’s mountain stage, we spoke with ex-pro Dan Martin about what the Hautacam climb entails and how it might ignite the GC battle.<\/p>\n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n Read: ‘Hautacam is probably the hardest climb in the Pyrenees’ \u2013 Dan Martin predicts major fireworks in opening Tour de France mountain stage<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:27:17.344Z<\/p>\n Today’s start town of Auch was the hometown of Team Sky and Ineos directeur sportif Nico Portal, who sadly died from a heart attack on March 3, 2020.<\/p>\n Portal was the British team’s lead DS from 2013 until his death, guiding the team to six of the next seven yellow jerseys at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n Geraint Thomas and Ineos Grenadiers staff shared memories of their late colleague on social media earlier this morning.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:12:46.267Z<\/p>\n The team presentation and rider sign-on for stage 12 is underway in Auch.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 Follow live from Auch the presentation and the start of stage 12! \ud83d\udd34 Suivez en direct d’Auch la pr\u00e9sentation et le d\u00e9part de la 12\u00e8me \u00e9tape du #TDF2025 ! https:\/\/t.co\/SMgEhLzNJHJuly 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:08:24.156Z<\/p>\n Fortunately, Poga\u010dar was unscathed from the crash. Meanwhile, yellow jersey Ben Healy called for the GC group to wait up for the Slovenian as a show of respect, ensuring he didn’t lose any time.<\/p>\n Read more from yesterday’s action:<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:03:05.637Z<\/p>\n But there was plenty more drama unfolding behind too.<\/p>\n As world champion Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) hit the deck inside 5km to the line.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:57:01.451Z<\/p>\n Stage 11 was won by Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility), who edged out Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla) in a two-up sprint to the line after the pair attacked from the early break.<\/p>\n (Image credit: MARCO BERTORELLO\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tCRUwdfJuAvTKBpzfjtUzT.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Team](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gizJxmEZCDxAoHCwdBL6TL.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Pogacar](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/A3a2ayoDKnn3RAUGAn4gtb.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Uno-X](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/WJqNcW3myHr4QLCU64js88.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"Profiles](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Nvci7D4DLCmceB68EjZ6eA.png\")
<\/p>\n