As it happened: Absolute power wins the day in sprint finish on stage 8 of the Tour de France

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of stage 8 of the 2025 Tour de France!

Here's a look at today's stage profile. Mostly flat, as you can see...

With an intermediate sprint mid-stage, we expect the break to take the big points there, though it likely won't be a large move so there should be a mid-stage sprint showdown.

At the finish there's a maximum of 50 points up for grabs, so it's all set for a mass bunch gallop.

Tadej Pogačar leads the green jersey standings so far. He took back the jersey from Jonathan Milan with his win on the Mûr-de-Bretagne which, bizarrely, offered up 50 points at the finish – the same as a pan-flat sprint stage.

Pogačar has 156 points to his name while Milan lies second on 122. Biniam Girmay is on 111, while Mathieu van der Poel is next on 108.

'I've done it seven times, so he can do it once' – Peter Sagan backs Mathieu van der Poel for Tour de France green jersey battle

Record points classification winner says Jonathan Milan is the other main challenger but 'there's still a long way to go'

A look at today's stage map.

Stage 7 on Friday saw Tadej Pogačar grab his second stage win of the first week, blasting off to beat Jonas Vingegaard on the Mûr-de-Bretagne.

Tour de France stage 7: Tadej Pogačar tops Jonas Vingegaard to win on Mûr-de-Bretagne

World champion back in maillot jaune as Mathieu van der Poel can't hold GC contenders' pace

There's just under an hour to go until the riders get underway for stage 8 of the Tour de France 2025. The neutralised start is set to take place at 13:10 local time in Saint-Méen-le-Grand, around 15 minutes before the flag drops for the official start.

The riders head into the Pays de la Loire region today with a stage finish in Laval, which regularly features in the Boucles de la Mayenne stage race. The last time it featured at the Tour de France was on stage 5 in 2021, with Tadej Pogačar winning an individual time trial which finished in the city.

Aside from Tadej Pogačar, the only other rider to win a Tour de France stage in Laval was current Soudal Quick-Step sports director Tom Steels in 1999.

'Perhaps we're off to a legal battle or perhaps it's a storm in a teacup' – Patrick Lefevere weighs in on Remco Evenepoel transfer saga

Could Evenepoel be on the move from Soudal Quick-Step for 2026? The current maillot blanc's contract situation has certainly attracted lots of attention, with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and Ineos Grenadiers the supposed frontrunners to sign the Belgian rider for next season.

Happy Birthday to Valentin Madouas! The Frenchman turns 29 years old today and is starting the stage in his home region of Brittany.

Ineos Grenadiers have been fairly anonymous in this first week of racing at the Tour de France. Are they saving themselves for some of the tougher stages later in the race? Or do they simply not have the firepower to match the likes of UAE and Visma?

Five minutes until the neutralised start in Saint-Méen-le-Grand.

The riders have now rolled out in Saint-Méen-le-Grand for the neutralised start of stage 8 of the Tour de France. There's around 6km of neutral zone before the flag drops for the official start, where we expect to see a battle to make the early breakaway.

A quick look at yesterday's results before the official start of stage 8. An exciting finish on the Mûr-de-Bretagne saw Tadej Pogačar take the victory and extend his overall lead.

No changes expected in the general classification today though, as it is set to be a stage for the sprinters.

The official start has been given for today's stage, but none of the riders are jumping out of the peloton to form a breakaway just yet. It's fairly relaxed in the peloton for now, but it's only a matter of time before someone tries to make a move.

Some unfortunate news at the start today, as Jayco AlUla have confirmed that Eddie Dunbar has abandoned the Tour de France after his crash yesterday. The Irishman made it to the sign-on podium with a bandaged arm, but has decided not to start the stage.

Some photos of the sprinters at the start of today's stage. Who will come out on top in Laval?

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It has been a quiet start to today's stage, as we're still waiting to see the first attacks of the day. Quinn Simmons is currently setting the pace on the front of the main bunch, with a collective of Intermarché-Wanty riders sitting just behind him.

All smiles for Visma-Lease a Bike at the start today. Could we see Wout van Aert feature in the sprint later on?

Today's stage started in Saint-Méen-le-Grand, which last hosted a stage of the Tour de France in 2006. It was also the birthplace of three-time Tour de France winner Louison Bobet, who won consecutive editions in 1953, 1954 and 1955. The Breton rider also won the maillot à pois in 1950, as well as 11 individual stages from 1948 to 1955.

What can we expect from Mathieu van der Poel for the remainder of this year's Tour de France? He lost a minute and half and ceded the maillot jaune to Tadej Pogačar yesterday, after being unable to replicate his performance that saw him emerge victorious on the Mûr-de-Bretagne in 2021.

Could we see the Dutchman now switch his attention to the points classification in a bid to win the maillot vert? He currently sits in fourth place on 108 points, with a 48-point deficit on Pogačar, who tops the standings on 156 points.

Tour de France Stage 8 - 130km to go

With none of the teams interested in sending riders up the road, the peloton has stayed all together for the first hour of the race. Lidl-Trek and Intermarché-Wanty have been setting the pace so far, with an average speed of around 42km/h for the main bunch.

Quinn Simmons has been showing off the stars and stripes on the front of the peloton today, as the US National Champion has been working with Intermarché-Wanty to set the pace in the main bunch.

The fans have been out in force on today's stage, with plenty of homemade signs sending messages of support along the route.

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A mechanical for Bryan Coquard, who will be looking to score a solid result on today's stage. A quick bike change means that he will be able to work his way back through the convoy to get back to the front of the peloton for the intermediate sprint.

The riders are coming up to the intermediate sprint in Vitré, which annually hosts La Route Adélie de Vitré one-day race. The last time a stage of the Tour de France finished there was in 2006, with Robbie McEwen sprinting to victory in the maillot vert.

Another trip back to the team car for Bryan Coquard, who has swapped back to his original bike after previously having changed machinery.

Plenty of riders heading back into the convoy at the moment, as teams look to keep them hydrated on a hot day in the northwest of France. Temperatures are currently around 31°C (88°F), so staying well-fuelled will be paramount on today's stage.

Tour de France Stage 8 - 90km to go

A breakaway seems unlikely to go at this point in the stage, as none of the teams seem interested in sending riders up the road. Quinn Simmons and Jonas Rutsch have been the unsung heroes in setting the pace in the peloton, with Intermarché-Wanty making their presence felt at the front of the main bunch.

The sprinters' teams are now getting organised in the peloton ahead of the intermediate sprint in Vitré.

Jonathan Milan takes maximum points at the intermediate sprint ahead of Tim Merlier, Anthony Turgis and Biniam Girmay. The Italian rider reduces his deficit to Tadej Pogačar in the points classification to fourteen points, which means that we could see the maillot vert change hands after the sprint finish in Laval.

An attack from Mattéo Vercher and Mathieu Burgaudeau has seen them open up a small gap over the peloton. The TotalEnergies duo have been allowed to go up the road for now, but Lidl-Trek and Intermarché-Wanty are continuing to set the pace in the main bunch.

TotalEnegies sports director on team radio:

"Listen, if they want to jump on everything that moves, that's their problem. We have the right to race."

Clearly some frustration from the French outfit about the sprinters' teams marking every move in the peloton.

Tour de France Stage 8 - 70km to go

The two-man breakaway of Vercher and Burgaudeau currently have a thirty-second gap over the peloton, who have been rolling along at a solid pace throughout the day, with an average speed of approximately 43km/h.

The leading duo from TotalEnergies are working well together to extend their advantage over the peloton, but the teams at the front of the main bunch are keeping the gap under control.

After crashing hard on yesterday's stage, João Almeida started today with a broken rib and bandages all over his body. The Portuguese rider is still battling on despite the extent of his injuries, as he looks to help Tadej Pogačar in the stages to come.

"He's a fighter. He slept well, came down for breakfast with a smile on his face. Nothing too serious," UAE Team Emirates-XRG team principal Mauro Gianetti told Cyclingnews at the start today.

Mattéo Vercher and Mathieu Burgaudeau have both finished runner-up on stages of the Tour de France in the past. As things stand, it doesn't look like it will be their day, but it does show the strength of the pair up the road.

Crash for Marc Soler in the peloton. The UAE Team Emirates rider went down after a ninety-degree corner through a town, but is now back up and underway after a bike change, so he should be able to make his way back into the main bunch.

Didi the Devil spotted at the roadside! Like the Where's Wally of the Tour de France, the German fan has been at each edition of the race since 1993.

Puncture for Arnaud De Lie, who is now back underway after a wheel change. The uphill finish on today's stage could suit the Lotto rider if he can manage to find his best legs.

The gap to the breakaway is now coming down as we near the final thirty kilometres of the stage. The TotalEnergies duo of Vercher and Burgaudeau are persisting at the head of the race, but the pace in the peloton is starting to increase.

The sprinters' teams have all come to the front of the peloton to position their riders and keep them safe ahead of the finale.

The breakaway are now well within sight of the peloton, which is spread across the road as teams begin to jostle for position.

Some light crosswinds are causing splits at the back of the peloton, with small groups of riders are being distanced off the back of the main bunch.

Ineos Grenadiers, Cofidis, Jayco AlUla, Visma-Lease a Bike and Tudor Pro Cycling are the main teams represented at the front of the peloton at the moment.

Tour de France Stage 8 - 30km to go

It has been a valiant effort from Vercher and Burgaudeau, but the fate of the breakaway now seems sealed as their gap sits at thirty seconds with 30km to go. Teams are now beginning to up the pace in the peloton to position their key riders for the finish.

Given the fairly strong headwinds and lack of breakaway for the majority of the day, an average speed of 44km/h is rather impressive for for today's stage.

Soudal Quick-Step and Alpecin-Deceuninck have now brought their leadout trains to the front of the peloton, as they pass through a small town with several pinch points that could be cause for concern.

Tour de France Stage 8 - 20km to go

The gap to the breakaway has gone back out to around a minute, as the pace in the peloton appears to have dropped in the last few kilometres. It still looks extremely unlikely that the leading pair will go all the way, but the TotalEnergies teammates are continuing to work well together.

Tadej Pogačar is currently positioned in the bottom half of the peloton, whilst Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel are positioned right towards the front.

A crash for Einer Rubio and Jonas Rutsch at the back of the peloton. The Colombian was straight back on his bike, whilst the German rider stayed down for a while longer and underwent a concussion test before getting going again.

Vercher and Burgaudeau are now up and over the category four Côte de Nuillé-sur-Vicoin (0.9km at 3.8%), with the sole point going to the latter at the summit of the only categorised climb of the day.

Quinn Simmons has returned to the front of the peloton for Lidl-Trek, as they look to position Jonathan Milan in the finale.

A nice detail by TotalEnergies, as they have the Tour de France race numbers on their riders' helmets.

Several mechanicals in the bunch, as Tim Merlier, Paul Penhoët and Krists Neilands have all had issues.

Vercher has been dropped by Burgaudeau, who is now holding on by a thread ahead of the peloton.

Burgaudeau has been caught by the peloton, with all of the sprinters' teams now at the front of the main bunch as we enter the final eight kilometres of the stage.

Tim Merlier is back in the peloton after his mechanical and is trying to move back up to his teammates at the front.

Alpecin-Deceuninck, Visma-Lease a Bike, Bahrain Victorious and Tudor Pro Cycling are controlling the front of the peloton through a small town as they head along the Mayenne river.

Wout van Aert has separated from the rest of his Visma-Lease a Bike teammates and has gone onto the wheel of Kaden Groves at the back of the Alpecin-Deceuninck leadout train.

Jordi Meeus will not be contesting the sprint today. He is off the back of the peloton, so it looks like Danny van Poppel will be the designated sprinter for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.

The peloton have gone around a roundabout and basically done a full U-turn with 3km to go. It's a frenetic fight position between the sprinters' teams.

Over the Mayenne river and through a series of chicanes. Lidl-Trek are on the front at the moment with everyone else on their wheel.

Groupama-FDJ are making a late move up the side of the peloton.

Alpecin-Deceuninck are now launching their leadout.

Tour de France Stage 8 - Jonathan Milan wins

Jonathan Milan wins stage 8 of the Tour de France ahead of Wout van Aert with an incredible long sprint, showing incredible power in the final few hundred metres to hold off the rest of the sprinters.

Van Aert came close to matching Milan, but did not have enough to come around the Italian rider. Kaden Groves held on for third place after his Alpecin-Deceuninck leadout got jumped in the final run to the line.

Elation and relief for Jonathan Milan, as he scores his first Tour de France stage win.

With that victory, Milan moves into the lead of the points classification ahead of Tadej Pogačar and now has outright ownership of the maillot vert, having worn it on behalf of the Slovenian rider on today's stage.

Incredible teamwork saw Lidl-Trek win the day to claim their first victory at this year's Tour de France.

Jonathan Milan post-race interview

"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," Milan said after his win.

"I was confident with the team. We were really close in the last stage, not in the first one, but in the third one we were pretty close but went a bit too early."

Speaking about what made the difference on today's stage, he said "today we were really focused and really believing in it. 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."

When asked about the difficulty of winning a Tour de France stage, he said "the level is so high, everyone is looking for it and deserves one, but we also really deserve one, so I'm really happy for all of us and for this result. We really deserve it. Now let's try to rest as much as possible tonight and tomorrow we will try again."

On becoming the first Italian to win a stage of the Tour de France since 2019, he said "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."

Some photos from today's podium, as Jonathan Milan adds the maillot vert to his stage win.

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Tour de France Stage 8 - Results

A rare occurence, as Mattéo Vercher and Mathieu Burgaudeau shared the combativity award for today's stage. A courageous effort from the TotalEnergies teammates on a rather uneventful day.

A quick look at the profile for stage 9, as the race continues to head in a south-easterly direction from Chinon to Châteauroux.

If you thought today's stage was pan-flat, tomorrow's is even flatter, with just 1400m of climbing over 174.1km and no categorised climbs on the route.

It will be interesting to see if the sprinters' teams look to control the race early on, with the intermediate sprint in Sérigny coming after just 24km of racing. However, they won't have to work too hard for most of the stage, as the breakaway has little to no hope of staying away on this sort of terrain.