Following yesterday’s stage 7 individual time trial – a stage that was won by Belgian Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) ahead of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Primoz Roglic (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) – Tour de France organizer A.S.O. had designed today’s stage 8 of Tour de France 2024 as a 183.4-kilometer ride in tricky and hilly terrain on a route from Semur-en-Auxois to Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises – home of Charles de Gaulle.

Denmark’s Mads Pedersen was forced to abandon this year’s Tour de France before the start of today’s stage 8, due to the shoulder injuries he sustained in a crash that occurred in the mass sprint finish of stage 5 – a stage that was won by Mark Cavendish. Pedersen told Roadcycling.com he was not willing to take the risk of sustaining even greater injuries if he were to crash again and fall on his injured shoulder. Pedersen is now focusing on a short recovery, before optimizing his form for the cycling road race of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Neilson Powless and Stefan Bissegger courageously attacked from kilometer zero for their EF Education-EasyPost outfit. Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) joined the fun – the leader of the best climber competition was likely aiming to secure additional points in today’s hilly stage. Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) tried to bridge the gap to the front trio but was suffering and eventually had to fall back to the main peloton.

Despite having two riders in the front group, the EF Education-EasyPost team was not satisfied with the situation. Alberto Bettiol launched Ben Healy from the main peloton and while Bettiol fell back, Irishman Healy fought on together with Maxim van Gils, Stephen Williams (Team PremierTech), and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies) to make the leap to the front trio. The attack was neutralized, but additional breakaway attempts were launched.

Sprinters in the main peloton were suffering in the hilly terrain and some – including Mark Cavendish - were dropped from the main peloton on the category 3 and 4 climbs. The speed was intense at the front and multiple attempts were launched to escape from the peloton and join the front trio. The racing conditions were wet as it had started raining.

Abrahamsen broke away from Bissegger and Powless on the climb and was clearly riding with the ambition of securing as many points as possible for the best climber competition.

Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) managed to bridge to Powless and Bissegger. The Frenchman passed the EF Education-EasyPost duo while chasing Norwegian front man Abrahamsen. The tactical plan made by the EF team had not functioned well this time. Bissegger and Powless were later caught by the peloton.

Abrahamsen was still solo in front with 130 kilometers remaining. The man in the red-dotted skinsuit had a fought his way to a five-minute lead at this point of the stage. 100 kilometers from the finish line his advantage was even six minutes. 

Lotto-Dstny, Alpecin-Deceuninck, and Intermarche-Wanty sent riders to the front of the main peloton to increase the pace and start reeling in Mr. Solo Attack to allow for a mass sprint at the end of today’s stage.

Ineos-Grenadiers star rider Geraint Thomas was unfortunately dropped from the peloton and quickly lost one minute.

The peloton got split into echelons with approximately 65 kilometers of the stage remaining, but all alarms were off when they regrouped a few kilometers later.

Abrahamsen’s lead had been reduced to one minute with twenty-five kilometers left. The sprinter teams were eager to facilitate a mass sprint across the finish line. The Astana, Intermarche-Wanty, Lotto-Destny, and Alpecin-Deceuninck teams had riders at the front of the peloton to set a fast pace and they were getting assistance from UAE Team Emirates, Ineos-Grenadiers and Visma – Lease a Bike riders, who were keeping general classification favorites Tadej Pogacar, Carlos Rodriguez, and Jonas Vingegaard safe close to the front.

Abrahamsen was caught approximately 12 kilometers from the finish. While missing out on a stage victory, the Norwegian rider from Uno-X Mobility had secured valuable points for the Best Climber Competition.

EF Education-EasyPost moved to the front of the peloton. They were eager to shine after their first tactical plan for the stage had failed. The sprinter teams took over control.

Two kilometers remained and the riding was hectic. All teams wanted to be at the front. A crash almost occurred.

Intermarche-Wanty opened their sprint for Girmay. Cofidis riders joined the action for Bryan Coquard. Jasper Philipsen was also ready to explode.

Philipsen launched his sprint, but it was Girmay who was the fastest man of the day. Biniam Girmay took an additional Tour de France stage victory for his Intermarche-Wanty team.

Not only was the finish town of Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises the hometown of General Charles de Gaulle, but it is also home of champagne manufacturer Christian Peligri, and hopefully today’s stage winner and Tour leader Pogacar would be treated to a nice glass of champagne after today’s stage.

Tadej Pogacar remains general classification leader of this year’s Tour de France and will also wear the yellow jersey in tomorrow’s stage 9 of Tour de France 2024. Pogacar leads the Tour de France ahead of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) and Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma – Lease a Bike). Primoz Roglic (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) is in fourth position.

Sunday’s stage 9 is expected to be a very interesting and possibly decisive stage as it includes several dangerous gravel sections, which may cause significant splits in the peloton and several mechanical problems. Roadcycling.com is the place to keep an eye on your Tour de France favorites.

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com for complete coverage from Tour de France 2024.

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