75
15:08
Not interested in the mountain classification
As with the sprint classification, the three gamblers are not very interested in the mountain classification and simply cross the line. Coincidentally, Frison is right at the front and gets a mountain point as a reward.
73
15:03
mountain classification
The three leaders now start the ascent of the first mountain classification. This is a category 4 mountain with an average gradient of 5.7 percent. It is 1.8 kilometers to the summit.
70
15:01
Lead is getting smaller
However, it is currently becoming increasingly unlikely that Cattaneo will be on the podium again today. On the meanwhile undulating terrain in the Jura, the breakaway trio now loses a few seconds of their lead and now has just 2:30 minutes between them and the peloton.
68
14:56
Mattia Cattaneo
The current phase also gives us time to take a quick look at the most famous of the three outliers: Mattia Cattaneo. The Italian from Team Quick-Step only rode his first tour last year and ended up in a respectable 12th place in the overall classification. On the 9th stage, the Italian also attacked as a breakaway and finished second behind Ben O’Connor on a similar stage.
60
14:45
Mont Blanc in the distance
Since the racing situation is currently rather stable, the TV helicopter circles a little into the distance and also discovers the Mont Blanc massif on the horizon. Mont Blanc is located on the French border with Italy and is the highest mountain in Europe at over 4807 meters.
58
14:40
champagne
The riders will reach a sightseeing highlight in Champagnole. The small town is known for its artistic wood processing and has always been an important trading center in the Jura. Champagnole is also the hometown of two well-known French winter sports enthusiasts, Hervé Balland and Sylvain Guillaum.
57
14:34
Outliers hope for further premiums
Things are not looking good for the three escapees in front. With a lead of just under three minutes, the leading trio will hardly make it to the finish line in Lausanne. As a possible consolation prize, however, the bonuses of the next two mountain classifications at kilometers 75 and 101 beckon.
51.
14:31
next task
The tour announces the next task: Gianni Moscon from Astana also has to leave the Tour de France on the eighth day of the race. This leaves 168 drivers in the main field.
50
14:28
Small sprint in the peloton
In the peloton, Jumbo-Visma prepared the sprint for Van Aert and put the Belgian in position. Fourth place after the escapees – and thus 13 points – goes to Jasper Philipsen from Alpecin-Deceunink.
48
14:26
Outliers achieve sprint
The three breakaways reach the sprint and do without a fight for points and bonuses. The Brit Fred Wright takes the 20 points and 1500 euros in passing. His team Bahrain Victorious will be happy.
43
14:16
From Jura to Switzerland
Geographically, the race is now slowly moving towards Switzerland. There are currently still 50 kilometers to the French border in the Jura. After Denmark at the start and the visit to Belgium, the tour has already reached the third host country of this year’s Tour of France.
40
14:09
intermediate sprint
The first intermediate goal for the three escapees is the sprint classification in around ten kilometers. Whoever crosses the line first gets 1,500 euros for the team fund.
35
14:01
Peloton controls breakaways
Bad news for the breakaways: At the back of the peloton, Jumbo-Visma and BikeExchange are doing the tracking work and are no longer letting the gap to the front grow to more than three minutes. Both teams, with Wout van Aert and Michael Matthews, are hoping to win the stage and are therefore not letting the breakaways off their leash.
32
13:54
task
A DSM rider was hit even worse than Schachmann and O’Connor: Kevin Vermaerke (USA) cannot continue and has to retire from the tour.
30
13:52
Chessman with violets
While Pogacar hardly got anything from the fall, Maximilian Schachmann was hit harder. The German from the Bora-hansgrohe team appears to have fallen on his face and is marked by scratches and violets in the eye area. The Australian Ben O’Connor also has to be treated by the tour doctor.
25
13:46
UAE slows down!
The runaways are gone for now! Pogacar Team UAE sits in front of the peloton with almost all the drivers and presses on the brakes. Cattaneo, Wright and Friso have a free ride for now. The lead quickly increases to over 90 seconds.
20
13:43
pressure from behind
After the short moment of shock caused by the fall, the field is now picking up speed again. Will the three escapees still be caught or do we already have our group of the day?
16
13:38
Pogacar is back
UAE can breathe a sigh of relief: Tadej Pogacar survived his fall without any visible injuries and is now back at the front of the peloton.
15
13:36
Outliers benefit
Colleagues’ fall helps the breakaways in front. So UAE is waiting for Pogacar and wants to escort their captain safely to the front again. The lead of the three breakaways therefore increases to over 30 seconds.
12.
1:35 p.m
The yellow jersey falls!
At the back of the peloton, braking causes a chain reaction and a mass crash. Affected are Peter Sagan, Nairo Quintana and Tadej Pogacar’s yellow jersey. It looks like all drivers who have fallen can continue straight away.
10
13:32
new trio
After a few more unsuccessful attacks, a new leading trio emerges: Mattaneo Cattaneo, Fred Wright and Frederik Frison open a gap and are now 20 seconds ahead of the peloton. Directly behind the trio, other drivers are hoping to catch up.
4.
13:25
Will Van Aert go with you?
Cort Nielsen is able to pull away and is supported by two other drivers. Wout Van Aert wants to catch up right behind him. In a breakaway group, Van Aert would certainly be the favorite to win.
2.
13:23
The first attacks
It didn’t take long: after just two kilometers, the first riders rush forward and want to break away from the peloton. Also included is the welcome jersey by Magnus Cort Nielsen.
1.
13:20
The race is on!
Tour boss Christian Prudhomme leans out of the lead vehicle and releases the race. Do the first attacks by runaways follow immediately?
13:16
Corona cases in the driver’s field
The riders are currently warming up and are slowly setting course for the starting gun and the sharp start. The Tour de France ended abruptly for two riders this morning: Geoffrey Bouchard and Vegard Stake Laengen both tested positive for the corona virus and are therefore no longer at the start today.
13:10
open race?
When it comes to the question of the favorites to win the day, there are a few contenders today. Many teams are eyeing the group of the day and hoping for a breakaway victory. At the same time, a closed final with a slugfest of the best mountain and classic finals is also possible in Lausanne. That’s why Michael Matthews and the strong Wout van Aert are among the favorites today. Or does the almost unstoppable Tadej Pogacar get his third win in a row in sprinter fashion?
13:07
Preview: uphill final in Switzerland
After the dramatic finale at the Planche des Belles Filles, today’s tour continues with the next demanding stage. The program includes an undulating 186 kilometers from the Jura across the border into Switzerland with a total of four mountain classifications in the 3rd and 4th categories. In Lausanne, Switzerland, the drivers can also look forward to a tricky finale with different gradients and short ramps. Therefore, tough punchers and classic experts in particular have good chances of winning today. The final at the Olympic Stadium in Lausanne is probably too difficult for pure sprinters.
12:57 p.m
Review: Kämna missed a stage win
Yesterday’s Tour day brought the first tough mountain finish of the year and at the same time a German drama at the finish: Lennard Kämna from the Bora-Hansgrohe team was already on the verge of victory as a breakaway after a courageous attack and was in the difficult final of Super Planche des Belles Filles almost a stage winner. 100 meters before the finish, the German’s dream was shattered: Defending champion Tadej Pogacar caught Kämna on the last steep meters and snatched the first stage victory ahead of Jonas Vingegaard.
12:52
Tour de France: 8th stage
Bonjour and welcome to the Tour de France! After the first mountain finish on this year’s tour, the eighth day of the race continues with a bumpy stage and a detour to Lausanne in Switzerland. Above all, puncheurs and classic drivers are hoping for a stage win today. It starts at 1:20 p.m.!