Starting and ending the day with some tough climbing, stage 8 is definitely a stage suited to those with strong legs that fancy their chances on a long break. Heading out of Germany and back into France, there are three Cat 3 cols after only 8.5km, but it's flat hammering for the next 150km until the Cat 2 Col de la Schlucht at 190.5km. Juan Antonio Flecha is a real chance of taking the stage after a successful season so far, and without Petacchi, Fassa Bortolo will be looking to Flecha to take a stage win. He has the strength to last the distance and kick in the closing stages, but will be challenged by the likes of Stuart O'Grady and Thomas Voeckler, who has knowledge of the area and would be keen to repeat some of the successes of 2004. It's almost the start of the serious stuff, so there may be a few casualties amongst the sprinters as the road heads towards the heavens.
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How to watch the Tour de France 2025: TV, Streaming, official broadcasters
Where to watch the biggest race in the world this July -
2025 Tour de France stage 1: Jasper Philipsen prevails to seize first yellow jersey as Evenepoel loses time in crosswind chaos
Windy conditions split the peloton but Pogačar, Vingegaard make front group -
As it happened: Crosswind chaos sees reduced peloton sprint for the win and GC contenders dropped at the Tour de France stage 1
The 2025 Tour de France gets underway from the Grand Depart in Lille, with a sprint stage set to determine the first race leader -
The current GC standings at the Tour de France 2025
Jasper Philipsen secures the first leader's jersey after stage 1 in Lille Métropole
