An exceptional diversity of stage winners !
This first (longue) week of the Tour de France was characterized by a diversity, which we describe as exceptional, stage winners. Indeed, the first nine stages were won by eight riders, all from different backgrounds. The only exception to the rule is the Eritrean Biniam Girmay (Intermarché – Wanty), two-time winner (3th and 8th stages) and of which we will devote part of the article to his exploits.
The even more impressive statistic about this Tour de France is the fact that seven of the nine stage victories belong to teams that are outside the top 14 of the UCI team ranking :
- Jayco-AIUla (15The Tour of the Pays de Vaud)
- Intermarché – Wanty (16The Tour of the Pays de Vaud),
- Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL (18The Tour of the Pays de Vaud),
- Arkea – B&B Hotels (19The Tour of the Pays de Vaud),
- Astana Qazaqstan Team (21The Tour of the Pays de Vaud)
- On the two events where he was aligned (22The Tour of the Pays de Vaud)
An exceptional situation which contrasts radically with certain editions marked by the over-domination of one or more teams, as in 2021 where four teams (Quick-Step, UAE, Jumbo-Visma et Bahrain-Victorious) shared 18 of the 21 stage victories.
The great French animators !
During this first long week of the Tour, French runners met expectations. If the French contenders for the general classification were quickly eliminated in this game, it was the opposite with the escapes.
A fireworks display that begins from the first stage with Romain Bardet. The Auvergne runner, author of an escape from 50 kilometers with his Dutch teammate Frank van der Broek, wins in Rimini that day. A 33 years, he takes the yellow jersey for the first time in his life.
The next day, in Bologna, Bardet loses his tunic to Tadej Pogacar. At the same time, another Frenchman distinguished himself. For his very first Tour de France, the Norman Kévin Vauquelin, member of the morning breakaway, flies up the slopes of San Luca and wins a magnificent stage victory in the streets of Bologna. It’s the revelation of a complete runner, good climber, superb puncher but also a solid roller, as evidenced by his sixth place during Friday's time trial in Nièvre.
Finally, this first magnificent week of the French ended masterfully with the victory of Anthony Turgis during the white paths stage of Troyes. The Ile-de-France runner won the sprint ahead of Tom Pidcock and gave the TotalEnergies team its first victory since that of Lilian Calmejane in 2017 at the Station des Rousses.
In short, a huge first week for the French who have already totaled 3 victories on the first nine stages of the Tour.
Come, Look, Bini !
Biniam Girmay is undoubtedly one of the major players in this 111th Tour de France. The Eritrean runner from Intermarché – Wanty first won the third stage of the Tour de France by beating Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud de Lie in the sprint in Turin. At the same time, he became the first rider in the history of his country to win a stage of the Tour..
It was only the first feat of arms of Bini in this 111th edition of the Grande Boucle. New wearer of the green jersey at the end of the 5th stage, the Eritrean repeats this feat by winning the eighth stage of the Tour de France on a hilly sprint in Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises.
Biniam Girmay's successes symbolize increasingly internationalized cycling, now allowing the emergence of great champions coming from continents other than Europe, including Africa, represented by this exceptional runner.
A close clash for the yellow jersey
To finish, this first week of the Tour was marked early by the clash between the favorites for the yellow jersey. Tadej Pogacar, powerful winner of the Giro in May, has so far proven that he is the strongest by dominating his opponents at the Galibier (4th step). The Slovenian runner from UAE, became leader of the general classification following his victory at Valloire, is currently relying on a UAE armada which has been monstrous on the slopes of the Galibier.
However, the Slovenian has powerful opponents who will have to be reckoned with for the final victory, starting with Jonas Vingegaard.
The double winner of the Tour de France, victim of a very serious fall in the Basque Country at the beginning of April, displays a much better level than expected for his return to competition and intends to put the yellow jersey in difficulty in the next mountain stages. he is currently 3rd in the general classification, at 1 minute and 15 seconds of Pogacar. Remco Evenepoel, very convincing in the Galibier and winner of the time trial in Gevrey-Chambertin, can also play the troubles made and only counts 45 seconds behind the race leader.
There still remain other contenders for victory such as the Spanish leader of INEOS Carlos Rodriguez or even Primoz Roglic who, despite checkered performances 4 first days, is gaining strength as evidenced by his third place in the time trial.
