Latest news with #TimWellens
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Cycling-First mountain test as Tour de France enters Massif Central
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 9 - Chinon to Chateauroux - Chinon, France - July 13, 2025 UAE Team Emirates XRG's Tim Wellens wearing the polka-dot jersey in action in the peloton during stage 9 REUTERS/Benoit Tessier CHATEAUROUX, France (Reuters) -The Tour de France riders face a stern test as the 112th edition of the race enters the Massif Central for the 10th stage on Monday, with 4,450 metres of climbing awaiting them. Following a tough and hectic opening week, with some difficult stages, the peloton will ride 165.3km between Ennezat and Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy, tackling eight categorised climbs including the uphill finish. "All day long, we'll be going up and down climbs all the time," race director Thierry Gouvenou said. "You'll need to be in top shape if you hope to shine on this kind of course. "The riders in the general classification will be aiming to win the stage and make up time for the final overall classification." Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar leads the general classification by 54 seconds ahead of Belgium's Remco Evenepoel while two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard sits fourth, trailing the yellow jersey by one minute and 17 seconds. "A lot of things can happen," defending champion Pogacar told a press conference on Sunday when asked about the 10th stage. "All the day up and down. I think there will be some attacks from GC (general classification) riders." His team principal Mauro Gianetti said Monday's stage was a key moment in the Tour. "It's very important because it's a stage with about 4,500 metres of climbing," Gianetti told Reuters. "There will be a lot of battles, a lot of attacks. It's going to be a very intense day." Pogacar will miss his best domestique in the mountains as Portugal's Joao Almeida withdrew on Sunday after crashing on Friday. Retired French rider Pierre Rolland, who won two Tour de France stages, said Monday could be a tougher day than the high-mountain stages starting on Thursday. "It's going to be a very, very difficult stage. There's no respite. It's almost harder than a high-mountain stage because the course is so hilly," he told Reuters. "There won't be a gap of minutes between the favourites but there may be a few seconds." Monday's stage should give some insight into Vingegaard's shape. The Visma-Lease a Bike rider suffered a blow during the stage-five time trial, losing more than a minute on Pogacar but has managed to follow the world champion's wheel in every punchy finish. After the stage comes the first rest day of the Tour, on Tuesday. (Reporting by Vincent Daheron; editing by Clare Fallon)
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
First mountain test as Tour de France enters Massif Central
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 9 - Chinon to Chateauroux - Chinon, France - July 13, 2025 UAE Team Emirates XRG's Tim Wellens wearing the polka-dot jersey in action in the peloton during stage 9 REUTERS/Benoit Tessier CHATEAUROUX, France - The Tour de France riders face a stern test as the 112th edition of the race enters the Massif Central for the 10th stage on Monday, with 4,450 metres of climbing awaiting them. Following a tough and hectic opening week, with some difficult stages, the peloton will ride 165.3km between Ennezat and Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy, tackling eight categorised climbs including the uphill finish. "All day long, we'll be going up and down climbs all the time," race director Thierry Gouvenou said. "You'll need to be in top shape if you hope to shine on this kind of course. "The riders in the general classification will be aiming to win the stage and make up time for the final overall classification." Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar leads the general classification by 54 seconds ahead of Belgium's Remco Evenepoel while two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard sits fourth, trailing the yellow jersey by one minute and 17 seconds. "A lot of things can happen," defending champion Pogacar told a press conference on Sunday when asked about the 10th stage. "All the day up and down. I think there will be some attacks from GC (general classification) riders." His team principal Mauro Gianetti said Monday's stage was a key moment in the Tour. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys World Israeli strikes kill over 40 as truce talks deadlocked, says Gaza civil defence Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Sport Two participants injured after another breached safety protocol during Pesta Sukan archery event Asia Mahathir discharged from hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Medics treat 7 after blaze at HDB block lift lobby in Chai Chee Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons "It's very important because it's a stage with about 4,500 metres of climbing," Gianetti told Reuters. "There will be a lot of battles, a lot of attacks. It's going to be a very intense day." Pogacar will miss his best domestique in the mountains as Portugal's Joao Almeida withdrew on Sunday after crashing on Friday. Retired French rider Pierre Rolland, who won two Tour de France stages, said Monday could be a tougher day than the high-mountain stages starting on Thursday. "It's going to be a very, very difficult stage. There's no respite. It's almost harder than a high-mountain stage because the course is so hilly," he told Reuters. "There won't be a gap of minutes between the favourites but there may be a few seconds." Monday's stage should give some insight into Vingegaard's shape. The Visma-Lease a Bike rider suffered a blow during the stage-five time trial, losing more than a minute on Pogacar but has managed to follow the world champion's wheel in every punchy finish. After the stage comes the first rest day of the Tour, on Tuesday. REUTERS
