A Historic Win for Italy and Lidl-Trek
Italian sprinter Jonathan Milan delivered a spectacular performance to claim victory in Stage 8 of the 2025 Tour de France, ending a 113-stage drought for Italian riders in cycling’s most prestigious race. The 24-year-old, riding for Lidl-Trek, powered across the finish line in Laval’s Espace Mayenne, outpacing Belgian star Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Australia’s Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) in a dramatic bunch sprint that captivated fans and competitors alike.
The Stage: A Sprinters’ Showdown
Stage 8 was a classic flat route, stretching 171.4 kilometers from the Brittany commune of Saint-Méen-le-Grand to Laval in western France. With the profile favoring the fast men of the peloton, anticipation was high for a mass sprint finale. The day began at a leisurely pace, as teams were reluctant to push hard following a grueling previous stage. Under the blazing sun and temperatures exceeding 30°C, the peloton rolled through the French countryside, with little action until two French riders, Mathieu Burgaudeau and Matteo Vercher (TotalEnergies), launched a breakaway with about 80 kilometers to go.
Despite their efforts, the duo’s advantage was never allowed to grow too large, as the sprinters’ teams kept a watchful eye. The breakaway was finally reeled in with just nine kilometers remaining, setting the stage for a chaotic and fiercely contested sprint finish.
The Final Sprint: Milan’s Perfect Timing
As the peloton surged into Laval, the sprint trains jostled for position. Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Mathieu van der Poel delivered a powerful lead-out for teammate Kaden Groves, but their move came slightly too early. Milan, demonstrating tactical acumen and raw power, latched onto van der Poel’s wheel before launching his sprint at the perfect moment. With Wout van Aert bearing down on him, Milan held his line and crossed the finish about half a bike length ahead of the Belgian, while Groves settled for third.
Milan’s victory was not only a personal milestone—his first ever Tour de France stage win—but also a significant achievement for his Lidl-Trek team, marking their first triumph in this year’s race. The win also propelled Milan into the lead of the points classification, earning him the coveted green jersey.
Post-Race Reflections
An elated Milan expressed his disbelief and gratitude in post-race interviews. “I think I still don’t understand what we did. We came with some expectations and dreams to bring home. Then to predict it and bring them home are two different things,” he said. He credited his team’s unwavering support and focus, noting,
“Our guys did an amazing job until the final. It was a really tough final and a bit stressful. I wasn’t expecting it to drag up so much in the last kilometre. I knew I had to wait as long as I could, but I like these kind of finals”.
Milan’s triumph also carried national significance, as he became the first Italian to win a Tour de France stage since Vincenzo Nibali in 2019.
“Winning with this jersey on the shoulders, it means a lot for me and also my country. I’m really happy to do the result and I will try to bring others home of course,” he added.
Impact on the General Classification
While the sprinters stole the spotlight, the overall contenders for the yellow jersey had a relatively quiet day. Defending champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) finished safely within the main pack, maintaining his 54-second lead over Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step). Frenchman Kévin Vauquelin sits third, 1 minute and 11 seconds behind, with two-time champion Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) in fourth, trailing by 1:17.
Looking Ahead
Stage 9 promises another opportunity for the sprinters as the Tour heads deeper into central France. For Milan and Lidl-Trek, the victory in Laval is a testament to persistence, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As the race continues, all eyes will be on the Italian powerhouse to see if he can add more stage wins—and perhaps secure the green jersey—before Paris.
Key Results – Stage 8:
1st: Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
2nd: Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike)
3rd: Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Points Classification (Green Jersey):
1st: Jonathan Milan – 192 points
2nd: Tadej Pogačar – 156 points
3rd: Biniam Girmay – 124 points
Milan’s victory in Laval will be remembered as a defining moment of the 2025 Tour de France and a proud day for Italian cycling.