Latest news with #Bretagne
Khaleej Times
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Young Scot Onley surprises with top finishes in Tour de France
Scotland's Oscar Onley has impressed during the first week of the Tour de France, sitting seventh overall after 10 stages at just 22 years old. The Kelso-born rider delivered standout performances as he claimed third and fourth, in stage seven and four respectively, on the wheels of defending champion Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and two-time Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike). "Mur-de-Bretagne (on stage seven) was really circled as a stage that could suit me but you also have to be realistic that Pogacar, in these kinds of finishes, is in a different league," Onley told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. "I'm just enjoying what I'm doing and to be able to be up there with Pogacar and Vingegaard is an honour." The Picnic PostNL rider also secured sixth place in stage two, adding to an already impressive tally of three top-10 finishes in his second appearance at cycling's most prestigious race. "I was hoping to get a good result, but a good result was maybe a top 10, top five from the bunch. But now I've kind of shown that I'm a little bit higher up and I can set my goals a little bit higher," he said. Onley, who won a stage at last month's Tour de Suisse and claimed third overall, has shown consistency in World Tour one-week races this year. However, his main aim remains a stage win on the Tour de France. "I think it's still the main goal. There are going to be a lot more opportunities coming up in the next couple of weeks. I just have to take those opportunities when they come," he said. "I didn't come here with any ambitions for the GC (general classification). If there's an opportunity to slide in the breakaway one day, then I'll try and take it." The British rider is one minute and 18 seconds behind Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) who currently sits fifth. "I think a top five would be something really special, but I don't know if that's really possible," he said, adding that the experience is bolstering his confidence as a potential Grand Tour contender. "I think that's the goal in the next couple of years. And now I'm starting to realize that maybe it's a little bit more possible than I thought." The first high mountain stage in the Pyrenees on Thursday should give some insight into Onley's strength in longer climbs.
The National
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
Tour de France 2025: Blow for Tadej Pogacar as teammate Joao Almeida drops out injured
Tadej Pogacar's hopes of securing a third consecutive Tour de France crown took on a knock on Sunday when key UAE Team Emirates-XRG lieutenant Joao Almeida was forced to drop out of the race. Almeida suffered a fractured rib along with various cuts and scrapes after a 12-rider downhill pile-up at the Mur de Bretagne on Stage 7, limping home losing around 10 minutes on the day, yet still managing to get through the following day's action unscathed. 'It was good to see Joao finish the stage OK,' said race leader Pogacar after Stage 8, as thoughts began to turn to Monday's Stage 10 and its eight classified climbs among other challenges in the Massif Central. 'Monday is a brutal stage but nobody is expecting Joao to kill himself for a bike race.' Before the fall Almeida himself was also contention for a spot on the podium – starting Stage 7 in seventh place in the general classification – and would have been a contender throughout the mountainous second half of the Tour. But the Portuguese rider's Tour is over for this year after the pain proved too much to bear, especially knowing the challenges coming hot on the horizon, and Pogacar will be a key man down. 'Sadly Joao had to abandon,' said Pogacar after Stage 9 which saw him maintain a 54-second lead over Remco Evenepoel. 'It was too much to bear and I think everybody understands and wish him all the best. 'Today was fast and furious thanks to the two guys in front and also the wind was blowing to make it hard. Tomorrow is a solid day. A proper climbing day, it does not look so hurtful on the profile but I think it is going to be a really hard race and we are ready for tomorrow. Almeida finished fourth at the 2024 Tour de France and started this year's edition on the back of strong results elsewhere, having won the Tour de Suisse, Tour de Romandie and Itzulia Basque Country. Pogacar, meanwhile, kept a firm grip on the leader's yellow jersey despite an epic breakaway attempt from Alpecin-Deceuninc duo Mathieu van der Poel and Jonas Rickaert. On a sun drenched slog from the Chinon vineyards, Van der Poel and Rickaert broke early and built up a lead of 5 min 30 sec on the flat roads to Chateauroux. Rickaert won the combativity award for accompanying Van der Poel to within 10km of the line before slumping over his handlebars. With his gung-ho all-in style Van der Poel grew his Tour de France legend here despite being caught with 700m to go, the plaudits will be both his and Merlier's. As Van der Poel was reeled in, it looked as though Jonathan Milan would win a second consecutive stage but Tim Merlier got ahead with 50m remaining as Milan finished second with Arnaud De Lie completing the podium. 'One moment I thought I was boxed in but I can come out just before 200 metres or maybe just after, I don't know any more,' Merlier said. 'I just go all in and I'm happy I can win my second stage here.' It is a big day of climbing next up on what is Bastille Day in France with 4,400m of elevation gain across seven category-two climbs and a category-three ascent is likely to put the sprinters in trouble almost from the start on a stage that looks made for breakaway specialists. Road signs in honour of British cycling great Mark Cavendish had been placed at entry points to Chateauroux – reading Cavendish City – in homage to the now-retired 40-year-old, after he won three stages there in 2008, 2011 and 2021.
News.com.au
12-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Aussie hopes battered by crashes as Tadej Pogacar dominates Tour de France Stage 7
After Michael Storer's heroics the day before, Stage 7 of the Tour de France proved a tough one for the Aussies. A serious crash seven kilometres from the finish on the challenging Mur-de-Bretagne saw 10 riders hit the tarmac, including Jack Haig who could not continue and had to retire with head trauma. His team leader, Santiago Buitrago, also lost valuable time. The Australian was one of two GC options for Bahrain Victorious in the race, but now the Colombian has dropped 13 minutes, meaning his aspirations for a top-10 finish lie in tatters. Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogacar was too strong on the steep final climb but only attacked in the final 150 metres. His main rival, Jonas Vingegaard, bounced back from his disappointing time trial to finish right on the wheel for second place, with Belgian Remco Evenepoel just behind them and still holding on to second overall. Australian Team Jayco AlUla also battled today, with leader Ben O'Connor still not recovered from his spectacular crash on day one. 'It's disappointing and frustrating,' O'Connor said. 'Just when I seem to be coming good it comes back and bites me. I can't do anything about what has happened, I just need to grit the teeth and get on with it. 'Hopefully I can recover when we get to the high mountains and show some of the form that I know is there.' His teammate Eddie Dunbar, who rode to a spectacular fourth place on Stage 6, went down in the group on Stage 7. Also teammate Luke Plapp struggled and admitted to a stomach upset that disrupted his night's sleep and caused him to lose a few kilograms. He did well to get through. Stage 10 on Monday looks, on paper, as the toughest stage so far with more than 4000 metres of climbing and seven category 2 climbs. But Pogacar looks so in control. He has not wasted any energy and looks to have his name pencilled onto the trophy already. On the positive side, there was the brilliant ride by Michael Storer in Stage 6 riding for the fledgling Tudor Pro Cycling team. His aggressive third place is the best by an Aussie in this year's Tour.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Highlights from the first week of the Tour de France in photos
Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 197 kilometers (122.4 miles) with start in Saint-Malo and finish in Mur-de-Bretagne Guerledan, France, Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) People take photos of the pack during the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 201.5 kilometers (125.2 miles) with start in Bayeux and finish in Vire Normandy, France, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The pack crosses Athis-de-L'orne during the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 201.5 kilometers (125.2 miles) with start in Bayeux and finish in Vire Normandy, France, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) France's Bruno Armirail competes during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an indivdual time-trial over 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) with start and finish in Caen, France, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) Fans holds flags of Norway during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an indivdual time-trial over 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) with start and finish in Caen, France, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) The pack rides along the beach during the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 197 kilometers (122.4 miles) with start in Saint-Malo and finish in Mur-de-Bretagne Guerledan, France, Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) Supporters watch Quinn Simmons of the U.S. during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an indivdual time-trial over 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) with start and finish in Caen, France, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) A woman stands on the side of the road during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 178.3 kilometers (110.8 miles) with start in Valenciennes and finish in Dunkerque, France, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar wearing the best climber's dotted jersey competes during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an indivdual time-trial over 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) with start and finish in Caen, France, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) The pack rides during the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 197 kilometers (122.4 miles) with start in Saint-Malo and finish in Mur-de-Bretagne Guerledan, France, Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) The pack rides during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 178.3 kilometers (110.8 miles) with start in Valenciennes and finish in Dunkerque, France, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) The pack rides past a field of sunflowers during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 172.2 kilometers (107 miles) with start in Amiens and finish in Rouen, France, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Spectators cheer the riders during the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 209.1 kilometers (129.9 miles) with start in Lauwin-Planque and finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The pack rides during the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 209.1 kilometers (129.9 miles) with start in Lauwin-Planque and finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The pack rides past a field of wheat during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 178.3 kilometers (110.8 miles) with start in Valenciennes and finish in Dunkerque, France, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) The pack rides during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.9 kilometers (114.9 miles) with start and finish in Lille, France, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar wearing the best climber's dotted jersey crosses the finish line during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an indivdual time-trial over 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) with start and finish in Caen, France, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The pack rides under a French flag during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 172.2 kilometers (107 miles) with start in Amiens and finish in Rouen, France, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The pack rides during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 172.2 kilometers (107 miles) with start in Amiens and finish in Rouen, France, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The pack rides during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 172.2 kilometers (107 miles) with start in Amiens and finish in Rouen, France, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 197 kilometers (122.4 miles) with start in Saint-Malo and finish in Mur-de-Bretagne Guerledan, France, Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) People take photos of the pack during the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 201.5 kilometers (125.2 miles) with start in Bayeux and finish in Vire Normandy, France, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The pack crosses Athis-de-L'orne during the sixth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 201.5 kilometers (125.2 miles) with start in Bayeux and finish in Vire Normandy, France, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) France's Bruno Armirail competes during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an indivdual time-trial over 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) with start and finish in Caen, France, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) Fans holds flags of Norway during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an indivdual time-trial over 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) with start and finish in Caen, France, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) The pack rides along the beach during the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 197 kilometers (122.4 miles) with start in Saint-Malo and finish in Mur-de-Bretagne Guerledan, France, Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) Supporters watch Quinn Simmons of the U.S. during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an indivdual time-trial over 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) with start and finish in Caen, France, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) A woman stands on the side of the road during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 178.3 kilometers (110.8 miles) with start in Valenciennes and finish in Dunkerque, France, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar wearing the best climber's dotted jersey competes during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an indivdual time-trial over 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) with start and finish in Caen, France, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) The pack rides during the seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 197 kilometers (122.4 miles) with start in Saint-Malo and finish in Mur-de-Bretagne Guerledan, France, Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) The pack rides during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 178.3 kilometers (110.8 miles) with start in Valenciennes and finish in Dunkerque, France, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) The pack rides past a field of sunflowers during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 172.2 kilometers (107 miles) with start in Amiens and finish in Rouen, France, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Spectators cheer the riders during the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 209.1 kilometers (129.9 miles) with start in Lauwin-Planque and finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The pack rides during the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 209.1 kilometers (129.9 miles) with start in Lauwin-Planque and finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The pack rides past a field of wheat during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 178.3 kilometers (110.8 miles) with start in Valenciennes and finish in Dunkerque, France, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) The pack rides during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.9 kilometers (114.9 miles) with start and finish in Lille, France, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar wearing the best climber's dotted jersey crosses the finish line during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an indivdual time-trial over 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) with start and finish in Caen, France, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The pack rides under a French flag during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 172.2 kilometers (107 miles) with start in Amiens and finish in Rouen, France, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The pack rides during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 172.2 kilometers (107 miles) with start in Amiens and finish in Rouen, France, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The Tour de France is 100% in France this year with no stages starting from abroad. A mostly flat first week started from Lille and stayed in cycling-mad northern France for three stages. The peloton then headed south, via Brittany and the mountainous Massif Central region. This is a photo gallery from the first week of the race as curated by AP photo editors. ___ AP sports:
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pogacar wins stage seven to regain Tour lead
Tadej Pogacar's win was his second on this year's Tour and his 101st overall in professional cycling [EPA] Reigning champion Tadej Pogacar regained the race lead as he won stage seven of the Tour de France. Mathieu van der Poel reclaimed the yellow jersey from Pogacar by one second after a gruelling day for the Dutch rider on Thursday. Advertisement Stage seven had the same finish as in 2021, when Van der Poel claimed his first stage win on the iconic Mur-de-Bretagne climb. But he was unable to challenge Pogacar on Friday as the three-time winner edged out Jonas Vingegaard in a sprint for the line, with British rider Oscar Onley completing the podium. The 22-year-old Scot is making his Tour debut for Picnic PostNL and climbed up to seventh on the general classification standings, with Van der Poel slipping to fifth. "Me and Mathieu both know this finish very well," said Pogacar. "We both wanted to win on this iconic climb but I think maybe yesterday he left too much on the road so we couldn't have a rematch." Advertisement Geraint Thomas rolled back the years as the 2018 race winner spent most of the day in a five-man breakaway but the Welshman was caught by the peloton on the first of three categorised climbs in the final 18km. The 39-year-old is riding in the Tour for the 14th and final time before retiring and helped establish a gap about 55km into the 197km route from Saint-Malo to Mur-de-Bretagne. That lead never reached more than one minute 40 seconds, so a repeat of Ben Healy's breakaway win on stage six looked unlikely even before the hilly finale. Ewen Costiou was the last breakaway rider to be caught, just after the second climb, and as the general classification contenders prepared for the final ascent, a nine-man crash brought down Pogacar's UAE Emirates-XRG team-mate Joao Almeida. Advertisement The Slovenian's other team-mates led him up to the finish while Almeida, who was seventh in the overall standings, came in 10 minutes after Pogacar and Jack Haig was forced to abandon. Stage eight is a flat 171.4km route from Saint-Meen-le-Grand to Laval Espace Mayenne, Stage seven results Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Emirates-XRG) 4hrs 5mins 39secs Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) Same time Oscar Onley (GB/Picnic PostNL) +2secs Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) Same time Matteo Jorgenson (US/Visma-Lease a Bike) Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal Quick-Step) Kevin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) Jhonatan Narvaez (Ecu/UAE Emirates-XRG) +7secs Axel Laurance (Fra/Ineos Grenadiers) +15secs Tobias Halland Johannessen (Nor/Uno-X Mobility) +21secs General classification after stage seven
