Tour de France Stage Report: Stage 8 was a transition stage, i.e. nothing much happened. The KOM, Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) went on a long solo ride, collecting as many mountain point as he could. The brave, young Norwegian was caught with 14.4 kilometres to go and the finale could start. The finish was slightly up hill, which was perfect for the green jersey, Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty). The Eritrean took his second stage win ahead of Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who managed to sprint in a straight line, and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny). The overall was unchanged.
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The last kilometre
Biniam Girmay has taken his second stage victory in the 2024 Tour de France. The Eritrean was faster than Jasper Philipsen on a difficult uphill finish in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises. Arnaud De Lie finished third. Tadej Pogačar held onto the overall lead going into the hard gravel stage 9 on Sunday
Tour stage win No.2 for Biniam Girmay
Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France general director: “Although no altitude records will be broken, the first two-thirds of this stage does feature five categorised climbs. The relentless ups and downs may put a strain on the legs at the point when the sprinters’ team-mates are starting to think about setting up a bunch finish. But the last three kilometres of the final straight, which rise slightly but steadily, could be the ideal place to bring the peloton back together.”
The Tour de France organisers say stage 8 is flat, but there are 2,300 metres of climbing from Semur-en-Auxois to Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, with seven categorised climbs in 176 kilometres. The climbs are not too hard, but they will sap the energy over the day. In the first 50 kilometres the riders have to climb the Côte de Vitteaux (3.2km at 5.7%), Côte de Villy-en-Auxois (2.7km at 5.4%) and Côte de Verrey-sous-Salmaise (3.6km at 5.1%). The next climb is after 100 kilometres: the Côte de Santenoge (1.5km at 6.9%). Then after the Côte de Bay-sur-Aube (2.7km at 4.7%) and the Côte de Giey-sur-Aujon (1.4km at 7.0%), the riders still have a further 50 kilometres with less climbing. The sprinter’s teams can take over on the rolling roads to the finish. The only problem for the fast-finishers will be the Côte de Eufigneix (2.2km at 4.5%), before they reach the finish in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises. a late break could beat the sprinters, but most anything could happen.
Mads Pedersen couldn’t start stage 8 from Semur-en-Auxois to Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises
A wet start
A big fight was expected to get into the break of the day and it came as soon as the flag dropped. KOM, Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility), Stefan Bissegger and Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) attack from the start and opened up a good gap. Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) tried to cross, but he couldn’t. After a short chase he dropped back to the peloton. There were no counter-attacks.
Could this be a stage for Arnaud De Lie Arnaud?
The start of another day in yellow for Tadej Pogačar
On the first climb of the day; the Côte de Vitteaux (2.1km at 7%), Alberto Bettiol and Ben Healy (both EF Education-EasyPost) made a move. Maxim Van Gils and Stephen Williams also attacked, but they didn’t create a gap. Romain Grégoire succeeded and went after the leading group, where Abrahamsen was chasing KOM points. The Norwegian was the first over the Côte de Vitteaux, then left Bissegger and Powless behind, he also took the points on the Côte de Villy-en-Auxois.
This flat stage is far from flat with 2,300 metres of climbing
Abrahamsen also took full points on the Côte de Verrey-sous-Salmaise (3km at 6%). Bissegger and Powless dropped back into the peloton, Grégoire had already been mopped up. The dropped sprinters; Mark Cavendish and Fabio Jakobsen managed to regain the peloton. Jordan Jegat attacked, hoping to catch Abrahamsen.
Nelson Powless and Stefan Bissegger of EF Education-EasyPost broke away with KOM, Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility)
The Norwegian was not going to wait for the Frenchman and continued on his own at a good pace. His lead over the peloton, where Jegat had been caught, grew quickly. At 130 kilometres from the finish, Abrahamsen had almost 6 minutes. The peloton sped up for a while, because an intermediate sprint was coming up. Green jersey Biniam Girmay was second, ahead of his teammate Gerben Thijssen and Jasper Philipsen.
Abrahamsen decided to go solo
Intermarché-Wanty and Alpecin-Deceuninck started to set the pace in the peloton. They had help from Cofidis and Lotto Dstny. Abrahamsen kept his lead stable at around 6 minutes for a long time. He also picked up the only mountain point on the Côte de Santenoge (1.1km at 8%) and the same on the Côte de Giey-sur-Aujon (1.2km at 7.8%).
The peloton let him take more than 5 minutes
Lotto Dstny wanted to keep control
At 70 kilometres there was a crash involving Warren Barguil. The peloton split into two parts, but everything came back together quite quickly. Abrahamsen had started to lose some of his lead. There was an acceleration in the peloton, which also led to splits 30 kilometres out. Michael Matthews, one of the possible winners, was dropped with some other riders. The Australian was still chasing when Abrahamsen was caught just under 15 kilometres from the finish.
Abrahamson took as many KOM points as he could
A bit wet for the harvest
In the rolling run-up to the sprint, several fast-finishers were in trouble, including Fabio Jakobsen. Other sprinters, such as Mark Cavendish were still at the front. Biniam Girmay was also well positioned as they started the final uphill kilometre, he also had three teammates to help him. It was Cofidis who had control in the final metres and it was Bryan Coquard started the sprint.
Alpecin-Deceuninck started to help with the chase
He had gone far too early. Biniam Girmay and Jasper Philipsen were the first to pass the Frenchman to battle for the victory. Philipsen looked to have the advantage, but Girmay kept pushing. The Intermarché-Wanty rider passed Philipsen to take his second victory of the 2024 Tour de France. Philipsen was second, Arnaud De Lie third. Remco Evenepoel was also there, finishing in 10th place.
Girmay was the strongest up to the finish line
Stage winner and green jersey, Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty): “To win one stage is already unbelievable, and winning a second stage while wearing the green jersey even more so. Torino was a very flat finish, and I knew some other guys could push more watts than me, so I wasn’t sure of my options. Today’s finish, on the other hand, was perfect for me and I was super confident. I guess also then, the Tour de France being one of the hardest races of the world, once you win a stage you become aware that you are amongst the very best and that spurs you on. A lot of pressure was relieved when I raised my arms in Torino. The green jersey? I’ve already won two stages and worn the jersey, so my Tour de France is already a success and I don’t care what comes next! Anyway, I will for sure try my best to win this Points classification.”
Overall leader, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates): “Actually, it was quite cold today. It was a really fast day, as Jonas Abrahamsen was flying at the front and we had to ride at his pace. It was a bit of a stressful day in the peloton. It’s good to tick the day off and start thinking about tomorrow. Will tomorrow’s stage be decisive? I don’t think so. Of course, you will need to stay even more sharp and focused. Every entrance to a gravel sector will be a battle. There will be wind, and maybe some rain… You can be the best on the gravel, but if you puncture at the wrong moment you will lose time. It will be a hectic, dangerous day. It will be key to stay close to the front and well surrounded by the team. Everybody wants to be at the front on every stage, and tomorrow’s stage won’t be no different – just more stressful than usual!”
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Tour de France Stage 8 Result:
1. Biniam Girmay Hailu (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty in 4:04:50
2. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck
3. Arnaud De Lie (Bel) Lotto Dstny
4. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) Israel-Premier Tech
5. Marijn van den Berg (Ned) EF Education-EasyPost
6. Ryan Gibbons (SA) Lidl-Trek
7. Anthony Turgis (Fra) TotalEnergies
8. Alfred Wright (GB) Bahrain Victorious
9. Alex Aranburu Deba (Spa) Movistar
10. Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Soudal Quick-Step.
Tour de France Overall After Stage 8:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates at 31:21:13
2. Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Soudal-Quick Step at 0:33
3. Jonas Vingegaard (Den) Visma | Lease a Bike at 1:15
4. Primož Roglič (Slo) Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe at 1:36
5. Juan Ayuso Pesquera (Spa) UAE Team Emirates at 2:16
6. João Almeida (Por) UAE Team Emirates at 2:17
7. Carlos Rodriguez Cano (Col) INEOS Grenadiers at 2:31
8. Mikel Landa Meana (Spa) Soudal Quick-Step at 3:35
9. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) Visma | Lease a Bike at4:03
10. Aleksander Vlasov (-) Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe at 4:36.
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