Tour de France 2023 – Analysing the contenders
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Tour de France: Philipsen denies Cavendish, completes hat-trick in Bordeaux
Bonjour and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 8 of the 2023 Tour de France!
Today's stage is the second longest of this year's Tour at 200.7km from Libourne to Limoges as we approach the end of what has been a Tour de France first week for the ages.
We're just under 45 minutes away from the neutralised start in Libourne at 12:30 CEST before the flag is dropped and racing gets underway at 12:45 CEST. The last time a Tour de France stage started here was in 2021 with a time trial that was won by Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma).
On this occasion, it should be a day for the punchier sprinters with an uphill finish in Limoges, but Van Aert could still be one of the favourites for the day.
Could today be a chance for Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) to make history? He was close yesterday and showed that he was well within reach of taking victory even with stage winner, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), aggressively pushing him off of Mark Cavendish's (Astana Qazaqstan) wheel in the run to the line.
👋 Good morning from fan favourite @GrmayeBiniam 👋 Bonjour de la part du favori des fans @GrmayeBiniam #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/QUnY6iHsw4July 8, 2023
A very smiley Cavendish is completing his pre-race interviews after his disappointing loss yesterday. A mechanical interfered with his ability to fully sprint on stage 7 as Philipsen overtook him in the final 100 metres to take victory.
The riders are just completing sign-ons and the team presentation ahead of the day's racing. Take a look below at the profile for stage 8 which shows an opening flat 120km, before the undulations start to come thick and fast before our punchy finish into Limoges.
Will any of the big sprinters be able to hold on? Or will it be a day for the puncheurs to fight for victory?
It's another hot day at the Tour with temperatures over 30 degrees at the start in Libourne. It will be a tough day out for anyone who gets into the break on our 200km test.
Stage 8 of the 2023 Tour de France is underway! We'll, of course, have a period of neutralised riding during the départ fictif before the flag is waved and the proper racing gets started.
200.7KM TO GO
Stage 8 of the 2023 Tour de France is underway! We may see a more aggressive fight for the break today despite the last few flat and hilly stages seeing barely any interest with the parcours suiting it. We had a small delay over the km0 with Laurent Pichon (Arkéa-Samsic) having a puncture in the neutral zone.
Straight from the gun the battle for the break starts. Every single team seems interested in getting into this move. Tour of Flanders winner, Kasper Asgreen (Soudal-Quick Step), and former World Champion, Rui Costa (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), were the first to bite and certainly won't be the last to try get into this break.
There's a lot of quality interested in this break with Alex Kirsch (Lidl-Trek) up at the front with Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies) also fancying it. This fight may go on for a long time before the elastic snaps.
Soudal-Quick Step are clearly wanting to get into this with any of their riders after an uncharacteristically disappointing first 7 stages at the Tour.
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) is right towards the fore fighting for this breakaway move. If he makes it into this move, anyone with him should be incredibly worried. All of the sprinters teams seem to be letting riders try and make it into this move. Ben Turner (Ineos Grenadiers) is also well within this fight alongside veteran Edvald Boasson-Hagen (TotalEnergies)
We've got our next wave of attacks coming now. There's a tailwind today so we should be going at quite a rate of knots for the whole 200km of racing.
188KM TO GO
Still no break, but the peloton definitely isn't easing up. The fight is still ongoing with multiple teams still trying to split it at the front in a group big enough that could make it.
Here's a look back at our jersey wearers before the stage from left to right: Philipsen in green, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) in white, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) in yellow, Neilson Powless (EF Education-Easy-Post) in polka-dots and Simon Guglielmi (Arkéa-Samsic) with the gold combativity race number on his back.
Average speed so far is up at 54km/h.
British national champion, Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) is trying his best top get into the day's break, but he won't like the sight of Pedersen up there with him as the Dane has bettered him in a Tour de France breakaway stage before - stage 13 of the 2022 race.
Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Qazaqstan) has been very active at the front of the race. Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost) has had a mechanical issue at the back of the bunch and is getting back into the peloton now.
Torstein Træen (Uno-X) has crashed over a divider in the middle of the road and this is his second crash of the race after hitting the deck in the Basque Country Grand Depart. Hopefully the Norwegian can get back in and hold on.
Is that a tractor getting into the break? Tim Declercq (Soudal-QuickStep) is leading for now as Kirsch sets off to try and make it into the front. Anthony Delaplace (Arkéa-Samsic) and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) are the only two with Declercq for now.
Lutsenko has unfortunately had a mechanical issue after his aggressive efforts to get into the break.
The leading trio have around a 10 second lead with the peloton still full of riders who aren't happy having missed out. Wright has had another dig as has Pedersen, but they'll need more than ones and twos to commit if they are going to bridge the gap.
Van Aert played no part in the sprint yesterday, but is eyeing up today's finale as one that he wants. Will Jumbo control the break for him?
🇫🇷 #TDF2023 Fast start of the stage so far. Wout wants to go for it today! 💨 pic.twitter.com/OHv3KPUNG0July 8, 2023
170KM TO GO
Andrey Amador (EF Education-EasyPost) has made about 10 efforts, but hasn't made it. He's not given up yet and neither has Magnus Cort his teammate. Commitment is needed to bridge this now 23 second gap.
It looks like this move is going to stick with a trio of riders up front for the day. Alpecin marked a few of the latter moves as they were happy with this composition. That's our electric opening 30km done and the break decided. We'll now see the gap go out.
Gap to the break has gone straight out to 4:03 with the peloton settling into the opening half to the stage. Perfect time to grab a musette or go for a nature break.
Here's Træen after his second unfortunate crash at the 2023 Tour de France. He's soldiered on and is back in the bunch.
150KM TO GO
Van der Poel has been saying pre-race that he will be working in the finale for Philipsen once again today. The Belgian sprinter has performed well on punchy routes in his career, particularly at the Vuelta a España, where he's taken 3 stage wins in the past.
No one told me Luka Dončić was at the start in Libourne today? Pogačar has been emulating his Slovenian compatriot at the start in Libourne.
It’s a Pogi world and we’re all living in it. 🏀#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/f5lRJd772aJuly 8, 2023
Both the break and the peloton are still going incredibly fast and we're still seven minutes ahead of the fastest scheduled time for today.
It's single-file in the peloton with Intermaché and Alpecin both committing a rider and Ineos lining up in full order close behind.
Here's a look at our leading trio of Delaplace, Turgis and Declercq (L-R).
We're closing in on our intermediate sprint for the day in Tocane-Saint-Apre. Philipsen is currently leading the green jersey competition on 215 points with Coquard in second on 127 points and Cavendish in third with 99 points.
125KM TO GO
We've still got status-quo for the moment with the break now 4:56 in front. The gap should easily come down once those interested in the stage win begin their charge, but it's still unsure which teams will try and control it.
Delaplace nails Turgis on the line for the 20 intermediate sprint points and the cash prize with it. The peloton will arrive here in around five minutes. There will be 13 points remaining as the top prize for those who sprint for it.
Alpecin have their full train lined up for this intermediate sprint point.
Philipsen is forced to throw his bike at the line as the Bora-hansgrohe duo of Van Poppel and Meeus came like a rocket to challenge the green jersey wearer. Philipsen took the 13 points with his bike throw and extends his lead. He shares a first bump with his Belgian compatriot after the sprint.
Wow, we've had a move jump away after the sprint point. Jumbo-Visma find themselves on the front of the peloton as those who contested the sprint have formed a big gap. Astana, Alpecin and Bora all involved.
Astana and Alpecin have continued the move with Van der Poel in there. Van Poppel has had a mechanical and needed a wheel change.
There are splits forming at the back of the peloton with an ever so slight crosswind blowing across the road. It's an effort Jumbo-Visma wouldn't have wanted to make. Those at the front are beginning to sit up as the pace calms again.
We're all back together in the peloton. Jumbo-Visma clearly didn't want to let anything get away from them there and showed their possible intentions to ride fully for Van Aert rather than just getting Vingegaard home safe in yellow and letting Van Aert search for victory on his own.
Here's a look at some of the lovely scenery we've passed on today's stage from Libourne to Limoges.
100KM TO GO
The breakaway's advantage has dipped below four minutes with Jumbo-Visma now working on the front through Dutch national champion, Dylan van Baarle.
Here's what is left in store for the riders today:
70km to go: Climb - Côte de Champs-Romain (2.8km at 5.2%)
16km to go: Climb - Côte de Masmont (1.3km at 5.5%)
9km to go: Climb - Côte de Condat-sur-Vienne (1.2km at 5.4%)
Finish: Uphill run to the line - Limoges
The break are doing a nice job for now and holding a 4:00 gap over the peloton with only Alpecin-Deceuninck and Jumbo-Visma committing to the chase. No sign of Lidl-Trek for Pedersen, Cofidis for Coquard or Intermarché-Circus-Wanty for Girmay. Perhaps they've had enough of Alpecin's well-oiled lead-out machine guiding Philipsen to victories and want to make them do as much of the pursuit work as possible.
We're closing in on the first categorised climb of the day, the Côte de Champs-Romain (2.8km at 5.2%). Lidl-Trek have finally put a rider on the front to aid the chase.
🏁77 KM3️⃣🚴♂️< 4'00 <🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️🚗🇫🇷 @AnthonyTurgis 🇫🇷 @anthodelaplace 🇧🇪 @Tim_Declercq The first KOM of the day starts in 3.5 km.Le premier col de la journée commence dans 3,5 km.#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/V57nRAXqibJuly 8, 2023
Almost on cue as we are about to get into the undulating half of the parcours, Intermarché, Trek and Cofidis have now all committed a rider at the head of the peloton to swap turns with Alpecin and Jumbo and try and reel in this breakaway trio.
70KM TO GO
Lidl-Trek are really beginning to put the squeeze on the peloton now and are using their climbers in Juan Pedro López to make it as difficult on the front for Pedersen's stage win ambitions.
Turgis crosses the KOM point first as the break mop up all the available points. Powless leads that classification by eight points from Felix Gall (AG2R-Citroën).
It's still Trek and Cofidis taking up the mantle in the peloton as the break's gap is falling, but certainly not plummeting, to 2:41.
We've had a crash at the back of the peloton and it's Mark Cavendish holding his right shoulder. Disaster.
He's still down and it doesn't look good for the Manx Missile. He's been down before and hopefully it won't put him out of the race. It was the concertina effect that rippled through the peloton and put him on the deck with 60km left to ride.
We've got no confirmation of anything yet, but he's not back on his bike either.
Mark Cavendish has abandoned the 2023 Tour de France.
The Brit looks despondent in the ambulance in this his final Tour de France. He'd been going well so far and will be gutted for it to end like this.
50KM TO GO
As cruel as this sport can be at times, we must continue. Lidl-Trek, Jumbo-Visma, Intermarché-Circus-Wanty and Cofidis continue to set the pace in the peloton as they work at reducing the break's 2:23 advantage.
Here's the announcement from a presumably gutted Astana Qazaqstan team who had set their whole team up to ride for Cavendish and chase that record 35th stage win.
🇫🇷 RACE: @LeTour @markcavendish crashed 60 km from finish with Pello Bilbao and was forced to abandon. He left the race in the ambulance. Updates will follow as soon as there is more news#TDF2023 #AstanaQazaqstanTeamJuly 8, 2023
Here's a look at that heartbreaking moment for Cavendish. Not the way he wanted to go out at the Tour de France.
Our breakaway are still swapping turns nicely as we continue journeying north-east towards Limoges and into the final phase of stage 8. Can they make it to the finish with a 1:58 advantage?
Asgreen has attacked from the peloton just as we were bunching together. The break out in front are struggling to hold off the charging peloton and the Dane has gone for a long one. He's a former Tour of Flanders winner, but this would be quite the effort.
Soudal-Quick Step have had a poor start to this year's Tour and if you combine it with the the 2022 race, they now haven't won a Tour de France stage in France since Cavendish won into Carcassonne in 2021 on stage 13. They are clearly willing to try anything with to break that drought.
We're getting a look at the bend which precedes the uphill finale in Limoges. It curves round to the left and those fighting for victory will want either want to hug the barrier on the left for the shortest line, or could go wide in the corner and try to carry more speed into the final rise to the line.
30KM TO GO
UAE Team Emirates have took up the left side of the road to keep Pogačar safe in the run in.
Declercq has been shaking his head at the cameras after a very difficult day in the saddle. His teammate Asgreen has build more than 20 seconds of an advantage over the peloton with 25km left to ride.
Asgreen is about to be reabsorbed after his move off the front. The peloton is in control and motoring along now with the gap to the leaders now at 1:12.
Meeus has been reportedly dropped from the peloton which may give Van Poppel the green light to go for his own sprint for Bora-hansgrohe. This finish would suit him on paper.
20KM TO GO
Heating up now in the peloton with the gap below the minute mark.
Cofidis are working for Coquard on the front. Remember the last time we finished into Limoges at the Tour was in 2016, where the Frenchman came painfully close to beating sprinting legend Marcel Kitten on the uphill rise to the line. He'll want another crack at that finish today.
The peloton are absolutely flying up the Côte de Masmont (1.3km at 5.5%) as the break begins to splinter. Delaplace was the first to drop and now Turgis has left Declercq on the climb. With 43 seconds of an advantage, he'll struggle massively to stay away.
Jumbo-Visma and Lidl-Trek are leading the charge in the peloton as we head north towards Limoges.
Van der Poel is tightening his shoes as he sits on the wheel of the Jumbo-Visma train.
10KM TO GO
Its full focus for the yellow jersey holding team as they work for both of their goals: keep Vingegaard safe and give Van Aert as good a chance at victory as possible. Turgis remains 36 seconds in front.
We've hit the final categorised climb of the day, the Côte de Condat-sur-Vienne (1.2km at 5.4%). This infernal pace will be putting lots of riders into difficulty at the back of the peloton. Pedersen and Coquard are hanging on for now, but this is full gas racing from the best team in the world.
Groenwegen is still in the top 10, this is a tremendous ride by the Dutchman. Pogačar is also sitting nicely in fifth wheel in case anything happens.
Kristoff and Bauhaus have both been dropped alongside Jakobsen and Meeus.
Turgis has knocked off his effort and been caught. Chapeau to him and the rest of the break for a great ride.
Campenaerts has hit the front and attacked. He's got Wright on his wheel with Alpecin and Jumbo each putting a rider in the chase.
Small gaps are forming, but with so little riders left at the front, no one is taking it up on the front for now except Jumbo.
Crash at the back of the peloton including Landa and Simon Yates. The Brits chain is off and he's only juts been given a spare bike. He's got Chris Harper for help but this will be an almighty chase to get back in.
Stef Crass (TotalEnergies) has gone down hard and looks badly injured on the side of the road.
4KM TO GO
Alpecin and Trek remain in control of the front for Philipsen and Pedersen respectively.
Stef Crass has abandoned the 2023 Tour de France.
Skjelmose is still leading in aid of his Danish compatriot, Pedersen. We're going through the twisty turns along the river into the finish rise in Limoges.
Trek have done a tremendous job so far but will want to finish it off. Cofidis hit the front for Coquard.
1KM TO GO
We've still got to navigate the bend at 700 and the final rise. Here we go!
Pedersen has the best lead-out as we begin to kick up. Laporte is with Van Aert in their wheel.
Laporte hits then front with Van Aert in his wheel. Here comes Van der Poel with Philipsen.
Pedersen vs Philipsen, but the Dane takes it.
STAGE FINISH
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) wins stage 8 of the 2023 Tour de France.
Van der Poel did a great job, but Philipsen couldn't quite kick out of Pedersen's slipstream before he reached the line. Huge power sprint from the Dane after a perfect job from his team.
Pedersen takes the win ahead of Philipsen, Van Aert, Groenewegen and Eekhoff. Absolute delight for Lidl-Trek. He gives a huge thank you to Kirsch, Stuyven and Skjelmose who played vital roles in that great Trek lead-out.
Confirmation of a 47 second time loss for both Simon Yates (Jayco AlUla) and Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious).
Here's what stage winner Pedersen had to say immediately after taking victory on stage 8:
"We didn't know this morning if it would be a breakaway or sprint, but it looked like that the sprinter teams didn't want it to be a breakaway day so we stayed calm and, man the boys did a perfect lead-out day and even with the long sprint I still had the legs to finish it off."
"I tried a few times but I realised that they wouldn't let us go so after that I just hung on and tried to save some energy."
"When we passed I knew I won, but oh man it was a long sprint and this uphill kick was really painful so I was this close to sitting down with 50 metres to go, but I think Jasper [Philipsen] had to do a pretty good sprint from behind and make it that close."
"Tough one, but it doesn't matter if you win with two metres or one centimetre."
The average speed of today's chaotic stage was 47km/h even in the heat. We saw crashes throughout the day with Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) and Stef Crass (TotalEnergies) forced to abandon and Simon Yates (Jayco AlUla) and Mikel Landa (Bahrain-Victorious) losing time in the general classification.
Yates dropped two places to sixth overall and now sits 4:01 back on Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), but crucially also 2:27 behind Jai Hindley (Bora-hansgrohe) who he was racing for that third spot on GC.
The story of the day, however, was Mark Cavendish being forced to abandon after crashing. His gutted teammate Gianni Moscon shed some more light on what happened in his race-ending crash:
"We were in the back of the peloton just after the first climb of the day and yes there has been a crash in front of us and Cav had to break full gas and someone changed line and he just hit the rear wheel of the guy in front of him and went down."
"It was quite bad. I stayed with him to see how he was, but he wasn't able to go on with the race so we had to go back in the peloton."
"He was really suffering, there really wasn't much to say. Tried to see how it was and if I can help him to go back to the race, but he had to abandon."
"It's a really sad day for us, the rest of the race was really sad. We tried to organise anyway to do something for the final then there was really a chaotic stage and a lot of crashes. I also got hit from behind and crashed myself, 5k to go."
"The only thing I think now is about Mark [Cavendish] and I hope he isn't too bad."
After what has been a Tour de France opening week for the ages, tomorrow it comes to its almighty conclusion before the first rest day. It's set to be an historic day with the Puy de Dôme returning to La Grand Boucle for the first time since 1988.
The volcano has played host to some famous battles across the years, none more famous than Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor in 1964 from the picture I'm sure you would've seen. Winners here include Fausto Coppi, Federico Bahamontes and Joop Zoetemlek (twice).
Who will take victory on what is set to be a firecracker of a ninth stage in the Massif Central? Will it be Pogačar, Vingegaard or someone else atop the volcano?
What is the Puy de Dôme? Inside the legendary Tour de France climb
That wraps things up for Cyclingnews' live coverage of a chaotic stage 8 at the Tour France. Stage 9 should be lit up by the GC teams as Vingegaard tries to defend or extend his 25-second lead ahead of Pogačar on the second summit finish of the race, so come back tomorrow for our live coverage.
In the meantime, make sure to check out more of the great content being produced by the team on the ground at the race and read Peter Stuart's full report from the day's action.
Tour de France: Mads Pedersen beats Jasper Philipsen to win crash-marred stage 8
