Tour de France 2025: Aussie cyclists rated as Groves, O'Connor, Plapp and more deliver big
Ten faced the starter three weeks ago in Lille and nine made it to Paris after Jack Haig crashed at the end of the first week.
Kaden Groves was just fantastic on Saturday, claiming his maiden Tour de France victory in his debut Tour with a brilliant solo attack 16 kilometres out from the finish in Pontarlier.
The Australian, who has won stages at the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España, burst into tears after crossing the line, overwhelmed at claiming the victory.
'There's so much pressure at the Tour,' Groves said at the finish.
'Having won in the Giro and the Vuelta, all I'm asked is whether I'm good enough to win at the Tour. And now I've shown them.'
Groves is a world-class sprinter but this win was one out of the ordinary as it was a pretty gnarly stage, and to ride away from some quality riders and win alone was special.
Fellow Queenslander Harry Sweeny had attempted his own solo attack on the same stage.
He opened a gap of 40 seconds before being reeled in, but was awarded the most combative prize.
On the monster Queen stage 18, Aussie Ben O'Connor conquered the highest summit of the 2025 Tour de France to claim his first win for Jayco AlUla.
And what a brilliant ride it was. A 16km solo on the toughest stage of the race in the final week.
That's when many falter, but O'Connor finally found his form in this year's race.
To get in the break is tough.
To force the pace and make it stick is hard. But to be then joined by the heavyweights – Tour winner Tadej Pogacar and runner-up Jonas Vingegaard – and be able to ride away from them is bloody serious.
His ferocious attack showed just how good the young man from Western Australia is.
This was one of the most impressive stage victories ever by an Australian.
Last year O'Connor was unstoppable, but after a spectacular crash on day one, he had struggled to find the exceptional form he is capable of.
'It's special to do it again here in the Tour de France,' an elated O'Connor said.
'Having that moment today is absolutely massive. You always want another win at the Tour and you can't get enough of these.'
It had been a successful Tour for Jayco, with Mauro Schmid 's oh-so-close second and Luke Plapp 's brilliant time trials.
But it needed a win and O'Connor delivered.
Team owner Gerry Ryan was overjoyed with the win.
'The team have worked hard for this victory,' an excited Ryan said.
'But we needed a win. Strong efforts and close finishes may show just how well we're going, but winning a stage is very important, not just for our riders and sponsors, but for all our staff who work so hard.'
Plapp, riding his first Tour de France, was all smiles in Paris.
'It's the most brutal race but the most beautiful race,' he said.
'It's just the hardest race I've ever done. I just want to be in Paris every year at the end of July.'
Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling) rode a super aggressive Tour and whenever the roads rose up he seemed to be there.
His third on Stage 6 was impressive.
There is no doubt he will challenge again.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
4 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Trainer Denim Wynen celebrates her first city success as new stable recruit Sunshine Law triumphs at Rosehill
Yulong's loss was Denim Wynen's gain as Sunshine Law delivered the young trainer her maiden city winner at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Wynen, 29, enjoyed the biggest moment of her career to date when her new edition handled the heavy conditions to prevail in the Congratulations James McDonald Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m). Sunshine Law had previously been trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald and raced in the silks of breeding powerhouse Yulong before being sold online to Wynen's connections for $85,000. 'I am so stoked,' Wynen said. 'Coming into today, I hate being too confident with people but in myself I knew I had quite a good horse coming here. 'The trackwork rider, after the first gallop she had on her, said she thinks she is quite a serious horse so for her to say that, I thought I have a nice horse.' Sunshine Law had won her last two starts for the Archibalds at Canberra and Hawkesbury but her latest success ensured her new owners for an immediate return on their investment. The daughter of Alabama Express banked just shy of her purchase price with an $82,500 winner's cheque. 'Credit to them, they picked it,' Wynen said. 'They rang me the day before and said they were looking at some tried horses online. 'They have been a big support to my stable in the last six months and bought some weanlings and wanted to get to the races sooner. 'They decided to go to the tried sales and picked up two nice horses from Yulong so I think we are going to have some fun with them.' Apprentice Anna Roper brought up a quick-fire early double with a confident steer aboard Sunshine Law. The Sunshine breaks through at Rosehill🌞 Sunshine Law returns a winner, making it three in a row for the Denim Wynen trained mare! @AnnaRoper_ with a race to race double ðŸ'�ðŸ'� â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) August 2, 2025 • Roper, who had just booted home Kosciuszko hopeful Without Parallel, found herself in the box seat and had no trouble getting a run off the leaders back. Sunshine Law ($4.80) keep finding to the line to hold off the Matthew Dale -trained Super Norwest ($7) by a half-length while Chris Waller 's Pippie Beach ($4) was third. 'It was a really good win,' Roper said. 'I thought she was feeling the pinch a bit the last 100m and I think she started to have a little think about it but the horse to her inside kept her going. 'It was a really good tough effort first-up today.' Wynen dipped her two in the water as a hobby trainer but has taken over the past two years and is building a small stable on the Central Coast. 'I had a hobby, just a couple of my own, but just two years for owners and I am loving it,' she said. 'I only have six in work, I do all the work myself, literally seven days morning and afternoon so it's a good number.' Meanwhile, the Joseph Pride -trained Headley Grange bounced back to his best as the rain poured down in Sydney. Headley Grange eats up the heavy track, saluting in race 6 at Rosehill! ðŸ'° @PrideRacing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 2, 2025 • Waller and J-Mac ignite Godolphin's new era Headley Grange was a winner of the Listed Civic Stakes earlier this preparation before attempting to qualify for the Big Dance via the South Grafton Cup but failed to fire on the firm track. He faced vastly different conditions in his return to town on a heavy 10 surface for the National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1500m). Headley Grange ($3.70) thrived in the tough going under the urging of Adam Hyeronimus as he surged away to score by two lengths from Adam Duggan 's Diamond Diesel ($20) while Pride's Estadio Mestalla ($5) was third. 'He is honest and genuine,' Pride said. 'I think people who like backing him, keep backing him because he turns up and wins when he gets the opportunity. 'I would be forgiving of him for his last start at Grafton when I really thought that track was too hard for him. 'I wouldn't run him on a surface that firm again, he enjoys tracks with the string out of them.'
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
NRL live: Titans vs Panthers, Dragons vs Raiders, Sea Eagles vs Roosters, NRLW Magic Round
Penrith is looking to continue its NRL resurgence in a showdown on the Gold Coast, hunting an eighth straight victory after the Titans' women's team played out the first NRLW draw against Canterbury to kick off Magic Round in Newcastle. Later, the Raiders try to extend their lead atop the ladder by beating the Dragons, and Manly hosts the Roosters in a clash that will be crucial to deciding the top eight. Follow all the action in our live blog below, check out all the stats in the full ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Without Parallel remains unbeaten and emerges as a strong contender for The Kosciuszko after a commanding win at Rosehill
Country NSW's leading trainer Matt Dunn has his sights on The Kosciuszko after his emerging talent Without Parallel remained unbeaten at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. The four-year-old mare made it four from four when revelling in the heavy conditions to trounce her rivals in the Highway Class 3 Handicap (1200m). Immediately after the win, installed Without Parallel into The Kosciuszko pre-field market as a $26 chance for the $2 million 1200m country feature at Randwick on October 18. 'We have to start thinking seriously about the race now,' Dunn said. 'Horses can go from Highway races to The Kosciuszko but they need to win like she did. 'I did something similar with a horse called Derry Grove. He won two Highways before running in The Kosciuszko. 'I've got a bit more time up my sleeve with this horse, so I'll go home and plot a path. 'She's a good candidate.' Without Parallel was sent out the $2.45 favourite and gave her backers a painless watch, dominating from the front before surging clear in the straight to win by an ever widening four-and-three-quarter lengths from Via Vegas ($18) with Cougars ($8) a half-head back in third. The victory was the perfect start to the new season for apprentice Anna Roper, who was having her first ride for Dunn and provided the prolific trainer with his 41st Highway winner. 'It's a really impressive effort,' Roper said. 'She added another string to her bow today with the wet track and in Sydney grade. 'I was sort of hoping to lead and when that horse crossed me, I didn't really want to follow it so I just popped outside it. Without Parallel strolls in to win the third at Randwick! ðŸ'¥ Favourite backers enjoy the easy watch! 😅 @mattydunnracing @AnnaRoper_ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 2, 2025 • Waller and J-Mac ignite Godolphin's new era 'It meant I was able to get to the best part of the track so it was good to do that with her. 'She handled that track really well and to do that over 1200 (metres), Matt has got a really nice horse on his hands. 'Super turn of foot. Turning for home I gave her one slap down the shoulder and she took off like a rocket, so she is a really nice horse for the future. 'She's the nicest horse I've sat on in a Highway, that's for sure and certain.' Without Parallel started her career with two starts in the Northern Rivers district of NSW before resuming in June when she recorded her third win at Eagle Farm. Dunn said the daughter of former Kiwi-based shuttle stallion Time Test (GB) still has plenty of scope to continue her progression through the grades. 'The way she did that was no surprise to me,' he said. 'The only question I had was if she was going to get through the heavy ground and she's ticked that box now. 'I was hopefully she's handle it because she's that right shape. She's a speed horse that's nimble and athletic. 'If today was a dry track I'd have expected her to do that to them. I hold her in good regard. Without Parallel indeed! Damien Thornton and Matthew Dunn combine to take the second at Eagle Farm @_damienthornton @mattydunnracing â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) July 19, 2025 • Crossbow aims higher after maiden win at Flemington 'Today was another positive. 'She handles firm, good, soft and heavy, she can make the pace or come off speed. 'A real little runner. She's an intelligent little racehorse that just does it.' Roper heads into 2025/26 after the best return of her short career, riding 77 winners during last season with 23.5 metropolitan winners to finish third in the Sydney apprentices' premiership. 'That was my first ride for Matt so it was good to get the job done like that for him,' Roper said. 'I'd really like to get to 100 winners this season and sure my place up riding in town so it was good to get off to a fast start like that. 'Last season I missed the first few months through injury so this year to plan is to try to get to 100. 'I really want to work on my consistency too this season in town on a week-to-week basis. 'I've been very lucky with the support I've received from some big stables like Ciaron's. He's been so supportive to my career.'
