Latest news with #MichaelStorer
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
French cycling team aims to end 40-year Tour de France drought with major investment
The breakaway group with Australia's Michael Storer, front, Belgium's Victor Campenaerts, yellow helmet, Slovenia's Matej Mohoric, blue helmet, Quinn Simmons of the U.S., wearing the national champion's jersey of the U.S.A., Belgium's Tim Wellens, third from right, Neilson Powless of the U.S., second right, and Kazakhstan's Alexey Lutsenko, half visible in the corner, ride during the fifteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 169.3 kilometers (105.2 miles) with start in Muret and finish in Carcassone, France, Sunday, July 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- Sport
- SBS Australia
Tour de France: Australian Storer helps save Tudor's celebration blushes
Australian star Michael Storer has bagged the much coveted daily combativity prize for being the most aggressive rider after his constant attacks enlivened a thrilling afternoon on the 15th stage of the Tour de France. But the Perth rider's illustrious Tudor Pro teammate Julian Alaphilippe will want to forget the embarrassment of celebrating a stage win in the ancient city of Carcassonne which he later discovered was actually only a third-place finish. At the end of the 169km route from Muret, the race had actually already been won by UAE Team Emirates' veteran Tim Wellens, wearing the Belgian champion's jersey, with compatriot Victor Campenaerts (Visma Lease-A-Bike) second in a fitting one-two on the eve of Monday's rest day, which is Belgium's National Day. The pair had both been in the breakaway with the buzzing Storer but the Australian was eventually swallowed up amid the sprint for third, won by Alaphilippe, who celebrated as though he had won the stage. Alas, the former double world champion had been without a working radio due to an early crash, during which he had also dislocated his shoulder, so hadn't realised the two Belgians were ahead. "I tried to put in the best sprint possible and thought about the stage win. Like an idiot, I raised my hands, but there were a few guys ahead of me," the 33-year-old later told French television while also revealing he had put his dislocated shoulder back himself. "I remembered what they did to me in the hospital previously and managed to pop it back in," Alaphilippe said. "The day could have gone better — but I could also have had to go home, so it's okay." While Raphael Meyer, CEO of the ambitious Swiss-based Tudor team, pointed out they would have been very happy with third if offered that before the stage, he also paid tribute to Storer's "amazing" ride after the 28-year-old had come home among the pack of sprinters behind Alaphilippe in 22nd place. Further back, there was no change at the top of the general classification, with the main favourites finishing some six minutes after Wellens following a few exhausting days in the high mountains. Tadej Pogacar remains four minutes 13 seconds clear of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma Lease-A-Bike) with Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe) third, just shy of eight minutes off yellow. Ben O'Connor remains the top Australian in the standings in 12th place, 25:44 behind Pogacar. The day's breakaway had formed after the crash had split the peloton. With Vingegaard and Lipowitz delayed, UAE and Pogacar tried to slow the peloton to enable them to catch up — mirroring a similar sporting response by his rivals when he crashed a few days ago. The breakaway was gradually whittled down to four with Storer attempting to go solo at that point only to be reeled back in. With a little over 40km to go, the leading group was eight-strong, at which point Wellens, who had been sitting on the others' wheels, launched his break which quickly became decisive as the rest dithered over how to respond. "It was a very special victory," said Wellens, after his maiden Tour win. "Everybody knows the Tour de France, everybody wants to ride the Tour de France but not many get to win at the Tour de France, so it's very beautiful."
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Combative Storer helps save Tudor's celebration blushes
It doesn't have the lustre of a stage win but prizes are few and far between in the Tour de France and with UAE Emirates-XRG snagging most of them Tudor were delighted with Michael Storer for winning the Combativity award on stage 15. The honour is bestowed on the rider who is deemed the most aggressive on a stage and the Australian earned his with his constant attacks on the 169km ride from Muret to Carcassonne. The Pyreneean stage was won by UAE's Tim Wellens, wearing the Belgian champion's jersey, with compatriot Victor Campenaerts (Visma Lease-A-Bike) second in a fitting 1-2 on the eve of Monday's rest day, which is also Belgium's national day. Further back there was no change at the top of the general classification, with the main favourites finishing some six minutes after Wellens. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates) remains four minutes, 13 seconds clear of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma Lease-A-Bike) with Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe) third, just shy of eight minutes off yellow. Both Belgians had been in the breakaway with Storer but he was swallowed up before the sprint for third, won by Tudor teammate Julian Alaphilippe, who unfortunately celebrated as though he had won the stage, which he thought he had having been without a working radio after hurting his shoulder in an early crash. The Frenchman skipped the podium and interviews, with Tudor claiming he had a suspected dislocated shoulder, though the way he punched the air after crossing the line suggested his shoulder was fine. While Tudor CEO Raphael Meyer pointed out the team would have been very happy with third if offered that before the stage Storer's award helped ease any embarrassment with Meyer paying tribute to his "amazing" ride. The breakaway had formed after the crash split the peloton. With Vingegaard and Lipowitz delayed UAE and Pogacar tried to slow the peloton to enable them to catch up - mirroring a similar response by his rivals when he crashed a few days ago. The breakaway was gradually whittled down to four with Storer attempting to go solo at that point only to be reeled back in. With a little over 40km to go the leading group were eight-strong, at which point Wellens, who had hitherto sat on the others' wheels, launched his break which quickly became decisive as the others debated how to respond. "It was a very special victory," he said. "Everybody knows the Tour de France, everybody wants to ride the Tour de France but not many get to win at the Tour de France so it's very beautiful." It doesn't have the lustre of a stage win but prizes are few and far between in the Tour de France and with UAE Emirates-XRG snagging most of them Tudor were delighted with Michael Storer for winning the Combativity award on stage 15. The honour is bestowed on the rider who is deemed the most aggressive on a stage and the Australian earned his with his constant attacks on the 169km ride from Muret to Carcassonne. The Pyreneean stage was won by UAE's Tim Wellens, wearing the Belgian champion's jersey, with compatriot Victor Campenaerts (Visma Lease-A-Bike) second in a fitting 1-2 on the eve of Monday's rest day, which is also Belgium's national day. Further back there was no change at the top of the general classification, with the main favourites finishing some six minutes after Wellens. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates) remains four minutes, 13 seconds clear of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma Lease-A-Bike) with Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe) third, just shy of eight minutes off yellow. Both Belgians had been in the breakaway with Storer but he was swallowed up before the sprint for third, won by Tudor teammate Julian Alaphilippe, who unfortunately celebrated as though he had won the stage, which he thought he had having been without a working radio after hurting his shoulder in an early crash. The Frenchman skipped the podium and interviews, with Tudor claiming he had a suspected dislocated shoulder, though the way he punched the air after crossing the line suggested his shoulder was fine. While Tudor CEO Raphael Meyer pointed out the team would have been very happy with third if offered that before the stage Storer's award helped ease any embarrassment with Meyer paying tribute to his "amazing" ride. The breakaway had formed after the crash split the peloton. With Vingegaard and Lipowitz delayed UAE and Pogacar tried to slow the peloton to enable them to catch up - mirroring a similar response by his rivals when he crashed a few days ago. The breakaway was gradually whittled down to four with Storer attempting to go solo at that point only to be reeled back in. With a little over 40km to go the leading group were eight-strong, at which point Wellens, who had hitherto sat on the others' wheels, launched his break which quickly became decisive as the others debated how to respond. "It was a very special victory," he said. "Everybody knows the Tour de France, everybody wants to ride the Tour de France but not many get to win at the Tour de France so it's very beautiful." It doesn't have the lustre of a stage win but prizes are few and far between in the Tour de France and with UAE Emirates-XRG snagging most of them Tudor were delighted with Michael Storer for winning the Combativity award on stage 15. The honour is bestowed on the rider who is deemed the most aggressive on a stage and the Australian earned his with his constant attacks on the 169km ride from Muret to Carcassonne. The Pyreneean stage was won by UAE's Tim Wellens, wearing the Belgian champion's jersey, with compatriot Victor Campenaerts (Visma Lease-A-Bike) second in a fitting 1-2 on the eve of Monday's rest day, which is also Belgium's national day. Further back there was no change at the top of the general classification, with the main favourites finishing some six minutes after Wellens. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates) remains four minutes, 13 seconds clear of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma Lease-A-Bike) with Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe) third, just shy of eight minutes off yellow. Both Belgians had been in the breakaway with Storer but he was swallowed up before the sprint for third, won by Tudor teammate Julian Alaphilippe, who unfortunately celebrated as though he had won the stage, which he thought he had having been without a working radio after hurting his shoulder in an early crash. The Frenchman skipped the podium and interviews, with Tudor claiming he had a suspected dislocated shoulder, though the way he punched the air after crossing the line suggested his shoulder was fine. While Tudor CEO Raphael Meyer pointed out the team would have been very happy with third if offered that before the stage Storer's award helped ease any embarrassment with Meyer paying tribute to his "amazing" ride. The breakaway had formed after the crash split the peloton. With Vingegaard and Lipowitz delayed UAE and Pogacar tried to slow the peloton to enable them to catch up - mirroring a similar response by his rivals when he crashed a few days ago. The breakaway was gradually whittled down to four with Storer attempting to go solo at that point only to be reeled back in. With a little over 40km to go the leading group were eight-strong, at which point Wellens, who had hitherto sat on the others' wheels, launched his break which quickly became decisive as the others debated how to respond. "It was a very special victory," he said. "Everybody knows the Tour de France, everybody wants to ride the Tour de France but not many get to win at the Tour de France so it's very beautiful." It doesn't have the lustre of a stage win but prizes are few and far between in the Tour de France and with UAE Emirates-XRG snagging most of them Tudor were delighted with Michael Storer for winning the Combativity award on stage 15. The honour is bestowed on the rider who is deemed the most aggressive on a stage and the Australian earned his with his constant attacks on the 169km ride from Muret to Carcassonne. The Pyreneean stage was won by UAE's Tim Wellens, wearing the Belgian champion's jersey, with compatriot Victor Campenaerts (Visma Lease-A-Bike) second in a fitting 1-2 on the eve of Monday's rest day, which is also Belgium's national day. Further back there was no change at the top of the general classification, with the main favourites finishing some six minutes after Wellens. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates) remains four minutes, 13 seconds clear of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma Lease-A-Bike) with Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe) third, just shy of eight minutes off yellow. Both Belgians had been in the breakaway with Storer but he was swallowed up before the sprint for third, won by Tudor teammate Julian Alaphilippe, who unfortunately celebrated as though he had won the stage, which he thought he had having been without a working radio after hurting his shoulder in an early crash. The Frenchman skipped the podium and interviews, with Tudor claiming he had a suspected dislocated shoulder, though the way he punched the air after crossing the line suggested his shoulder was fine. While Tudor CEO Raphael Meyer pointed out the team would have been very happy with third if offered that before the stage Storer's award helped ease any embarrassment with Meyer paying tribute to his "amazing" ride. The breakaway had formed after the crash split the peloton. With Vingegaard and Lipowitz delayed UAE and Pogacar tried to slow the peloton to enable them to catch up - mirroring a similar response by his rivals when he crashed a few days ago. The breakaway was gradually whittled down to four with Storer attempting to go solo at that point only to be reeled back in. With a little over 40km to go the leading group were eight-strong, at which point Wellens, who had hitherto sat on the others' wheels, launched his break which quickly became decisive as the others debated how to respond. "It was a very special victory," he said. "Everybody knows the Tour de France, everybody wants to ride the Tour de France but not many get to win at the Tour de France so it's very beautiful."
ABC News
14-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Ireland's Ben Healy takes yellow in the Tour de France, as Australian duo miss the podium
Australians Ben O'Connor and Michael Storer have narrowly missed out on a podium finish at the Tour de France after riding in a punishing breakaway in the mountains of the Massif Central. O'Connor (Jayco AlUla) finished fourth and Storer (Tudor Pro) fifth, so close but so far, after the Aussie duo were unable to match the pace on the last climb of the 165.3 kilometre 10th stage. Briton Simon Yates (Visma Lease-A-Bike) won the first mountain stage of this year's Tour while third-placed Irish rider Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) took the yellow jersey, 31 seconds behind him. In between was Dutchman Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers), nine seconds behind Yates. O'Connor, who had led several attacks as a 28-strong breakaway was gradually whittled down to five, did not have the legs after those efforts and came in 18 seconds behind Healy, with Storer 34 seconds further behind. Storer has never been on the podium in the Tour de France, while O'Connor has won one stage, in 2021, when he was fourth overall. The peloton was more than two-and-a-half minutes behind the quintet, which is how Healy earned yellow. The Irishman, who claimed his first stage victory on Thursday, took the overall lead, 29 seconds ahead of Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates-XRG), after driving the breakaway single handedly in the closing 20km as he sacrificed the possibility of another stage win to become leader. As Pogačar approached the finish, Healy smiled while watching the Slovenian on the giant screen. With Pogačar visibly backing off, the EF Education-EasyPost rider crossed the line to become the first Irishman to lead the Tour since Stephen Roche won the race in 1987. Healy had looked one of the strongest riders in the breakaway on the 165.3km hilly route from Ennezat, but Yates timed his move to perfection, attacking solo on the final climb to seal a tactical victory. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) is third in GC standings, 1:29 behind, and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma Lease-A-Bike) 1:46 behind in fourth. O'Connor's efforts moved him up to 18th, 11:50 behind Healy. He is the leading Australian. The brutal stage from Ennezat to Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy had 4,400m of elevation gain across seven category-two climbs and a category-three ascent, with the usual Monday rest day delayed as 14 July is Bastille Day, a national day of celebration in France that marks the 1789 revolution. The break formed after about 10km and solidified after 20km, with Harry Sweeney (EF Education-EasyPost) and Lucas Plapp (Jayco AlUla) making a quartet of Australians involved. Sweeney and O'Connor tried to lead an attack with 128km left but were caught, O'Connor went again with 102km, being caught by nine others to form a 10-man breakaway. Sweeney and Storer later joined them as the group grew to 18 but the former was dropped with 55km left. Three more attacks by O'Connor reduced the frontrunners to seven with 29km to go and it was down to five when Yates attacked. Initially the West Australian went with him, but Yates, who won the Giro D'Italia a few weeks ago, was too strong. "I was not really expecting any opportunities here," said the Englishman. "We came here fully focused on Jonas [Vingegaard] and the GC, but the stage played out in a way that I could be there for the win." Healy became the first Irishman to wear yellow since Stephen Roche in 1987. "It was insanely tough. It was a battle against myself really," said Healy, who paid tribute to teammate Sweeny's help. "It's a fairytale. "I gambled a bit. I had the stage win in the bank and how often do you get the opportunity to put yourself into yellow? I felt I had to really go for it." After Tuesday's rest, and Wednesday's flat stage around Toulouse, the peloton will head into the Pyrenees, where the GC battle will heat up. Wires
SBS Australia
14-07-2025
- Sport
- SBS Australia
Tour de France: Australian duo miss podium in cruel stage 10 finish
Ben O'Connor and Michael Storer have narrowly missed out on a podium finish at the Tour de France after riding in a punishing breakaway in the mountains of the Massif Central. O'Connor (Jayco AlUla) finished fourth and Storer (Tudor Pro) fifth, so close but so far, after the Aussie duo were unable to match the pace on the last climb of the 165.3km 10th stage. Briton Simon Yates (Visma Lease-A-Bike) won the first mountain stage of this year's Tour while third-placed Irish rider Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) took the yellow jersey, 31 seconds behind him. In between was Dutchman Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers), nine seconds behind Yates. O'Connor, who had led several attacks as a 28-strong breakaway was gradually whittled down to five, did not have the legs after those efforts and came in 18 seconds behind Healy with Storer 34 seconds further behind. Storer has never been on the podium in the Tour de France while O'Connor has won one stage, in 2021, when he was fourth overall. The peloton were more than two-and-a-half minutes behind the quintet, which is how Healy earned yellow. The Irishman, who claimed his first stage victory on Thursday, took the overall lead, 29 seconds ahead of Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates-XRG), after driving the breakaway single-handedly in the closing 20km as he sacrificed the possibility of another stage win to become leader. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) is third in GC standings, 1:29 behind, and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma Lease-A-Bike) 1:46 behind in fourth. O'Connor's efforts moved him up to 18th, 11.50 behind Healy. He is the leading Australian. The brutal stage from Ennezat to Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy had 4,400m of elevation gain across seven category-two climbs and a category-three ascent, with the usual Monday rest day delayed as 14 July is Bastille Day, a national day of celebration in France that marks the 1789 revolution. New Tour de France overall leader Ben Healy celebrates on the podium after the tenth stage. Source: SIPA USA / David Pintens The break formed after around 10km and solidified after 20km with Harry Sweeney (EF Education-EasyPost) and Lucas Plapp (Jayco AlUla) making a quartet of Australians involved. Sweeney and O'Connor tried to lead an attack with 128km left but were caught, O'Connor went again with 102km, being caught by nine others to form a ten-man breakaway. Sweeney and Storer later joined them as the group grew to 18 but the former was dropped with 55km left. Three more attacks by O'Connor reduced the frontrunners to seven with 29km and it was down to five when Yates attacked. Initially the West Australian went with him, but Yates, who won the Giro D'Italia a few weeks ago, was too strong. "I was not really expecting any opportunities here," said the Englishman. "We came here fully focused on Jonas (Vingegaard) and the GC, but the stage played out in a way that I could be there for the win." "It was insanely tough, it was a battle against myself really," said Healy, who became the first Irishman to wear yellow since Stephen Roche in 1987. Healy, who paid tribute to teammate Sweeny's help, added: "I gambled a bit. I had the stage win in the bank and how often do you get the opportunity to put yourself into yellow? I felt I had to really go for it." The place to watch the 2025 Tour de France — live, free and exclusive — plus the fourth edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is right here on the SBS On Demand Hub .
