Tour de France - Ackermann misses out on biggest success - Philipsen with stage win
Pascal Ackermann missed his biggest career success in the shadow of the Pyramid of Saint-Amand-Montrond during the tenth stage of the 111th Tour de France. The German sprinter couldn't pass Sprint-Star Jasper Philipsen, who secured his first stage win of the year after a long dry spell. In his first Tour participation, Ackermann finished third behind Philipsen and Biniam Girmay, missing the stage victory. Routinier John Degenkolb came in seventh, and Phil Bauhaus was eighth.
After the 187.3 kilometers from Orléans to Saint-Amand-Montrond, Ackermann would have liked to bring the first German Tour success since Nils Politt's victory in Nîmes three years ago but ultimately had no chance. "I can't blame myself today. Jasper's start was so strong, I couldn't keep up," he said afterwards. "Girmay passed me in the final sprint, I had to brake hard to avoid crashing."
In the first three sprint finish attempts, the Tour debutant finished 15th, 6th, and 9th, but he came close as fourth at the sprint podium on the eighth stage. Since joining Team Israel-Premier Tech, Ackermann has been waiting for a stage win this year.
In the past, he won three stages at the Giro d’Italia and two at the Vuelta in Spain. He will have to wait longer for success at the world's most famous race. His chances of winning this Tour are less likely given the numerous mountain stages towards the end. "We still have three opportunities, we will give it our all to win a stage," Ackermann said.
There was no change at the top of the General Classification. Tadej Pogacar leads in the General Classification with 33 seconds over Belgian Time Trial World Champion Remco Evenepoel and 1:15 minutes over defending champion Jonas Vingegaard from Denmark.
The main field starts after the Rest Day leisurely
Eleven years ago, in the small town of Saint-Amand-Montrond, with its striking pyramid, which was used as a conference room and event hall, there was a rapid sprint finish with unpleasant crosswinds - they will remain absent this time. Back then, the peloton had fiercely battled for the victory before Mark Cavendish's win, which left many riders in disarray.
After the first Rest Day on Monday, the main field moved calmly over the clay roads in the heart of France. In the first hours of racing, the pros managed a speed of only slightly over 40 kilometers per hour. The lack of mountain climbs on the course meant there was no additional incentive.
French television has fun at the expense of favorites Pogacar and Vingegaard
French television couldn't resist poking fun at the two main favorites Pogacar and Vingegaard. The public broadcaster France 3 inserted swans on the water near the course and equipped them with arrows aimed at the top stars. It was all going a bit slower than usual.
After their disagreement on the gravel stage, the two exceptional riders and two-time Tour winners met again. Pogacar had accused Vingegaard of not contributing to the leadership work. Vingegaard didn't take kindly to that.
On Wednesday, a heavier stage awaits in the Central Massif. On the 211 kilometers to the ski resort Le Lioran, it's mainly the last 50 kilometers with four mountain climbs that pose a challenge. The stage is made for breakaways. However, attacks could also come from those fighting for the general classification.
- Jonas Vingegaard, the defending champion from Denmark, is currently in third place in the General Classification, 1:15 minutes behind Tadej Pogacar.
- Phil Bauhaus finished eighth in the tenth stage of the 111th Tour de France, missing out on a German Tour success since Nils Politt's victory in Nîmes three years ago.
- In his first Tour participation, Pascal Ackermann came closest to a stage win during the eighth stage, finishing fourth at the sprint podium.
- Jasper Philipsen secured his first stage win of the year after a long dry spell in the tenth stage, with Phil Bauhaus finishing just behind him in eighth place.
- The international cycling event passed through the town of Orléans before reaching Saint-Amand-Montrond, where Pascal Ackermann missed his biggest career success.
- Tadej Pogacar, a professional cyclist from Slovenia, currently leads the General Classification with 33 seconds over Belgian Time Trial World Champion Remco Evenepoel.
- During the tenth stage, John Degenkolb finished behind Ackermann and Bauhaus in seventh place, while German sprinter Jonas Vingegaard finished the stage in tenth position.
- In the previous edition of the Tour de France, Mark Cavendish secured a victory in Saint-Amand-Montrond, despite fierce competition and unpleasant crosswinds that are absent in this year's race.
