Cycling: Nans Peters has won the first Pyrenees stage of the 2020 Tour de France. As a breakaway, he was able to keep all of his companions at bay. Adam Yates defended his yellow jersey. Unfortunately, Germany's hope Emanuel Buchmann couldn't keep up with the best today.
13 men in the leading group
At just 141,0 kilometers, today's eighth stage is the shortest of this year's Tour de France - apart from the time trial on the penultimate day and the coasting on the Champs-Élysées. However, the ride from Cazères-sur-Garonne to Loudenvielle was not easy. With the Col de Menté, the Port de Balès and the Col de Peyresourde, there were two mountains in the first category and one in the highest category. It is logical that the escapees had the best chance of winning the stage today. Therefore, 13 men broke away from the peloton immediately after the start:
- Benoit Cosnefroy (AG2R La Mondiale)
- Nan's Peters (AG2R La Mondiale)
- Jerome's cousin (Total Direct Energy)
- Fabien Grellier (Total Direct Energy)
- Quentin Pacher (B&B Hotels – Vital Concept)
- Kevin Reza (B&B Hotels – Vital Concept)
- Michael Morkov (Deceuninck – Quick Step)
- Neilson Powless (FE)
- Charles Verona (movistar)
- Tom's Skujins (Trek – Segafredo)
- Ilnur Zakarin (CCC)
- Ben Hermans (Israel Start Up Nation)
- Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb)
Cosnefroy & Sagan keep their shirts
The Russian was more than 16 minutes behind Ilnur Zakarin best in the overall ranking. Therefore, the team dropped Mitchelton - Scott from the leader Adam Yates pull the group. The 13 escapees quickly extended their lead to over 12 minutes. After that, the teams in the main field began to keep the gap within limits. Eventually became Ilnur Zakarin Fifth at the Giro d'Italia and third at the Vuelta a Espana. He knew how to use his qualities today. Together with the French Nan's Peters he proved to be the strongest climber in the escape group. They were able to free themselves from their companions up to the Port de Balès. They were too fast for the current mountain jersey wearer. But Benoit Cosnefroy could at least defend the spotted. The same applies to Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe) when it comes to green. In the intermediate sprint, however, the Slovak lost two points to the Irish champion Sam Bennett (Deceuninck - Quick Step). There are only 7 points between these two pros.
Pinot drama again
The peloton also got a little faster up the Port de Balès. Much to the chagrin of Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ). The unlucky French fell on the first stage and seemed to be suffering from the consequences of the fall. With all his teammates left behind early on, his big triumph at the Tour de France will not be the same again this year. It got even worse today James Nizzolo (NTT). The Italian European Champion even gave up the race. Meanwhile, Ineos on the descent and Jumbo - Visma on the uphill were involved in the pace work as leaders Adam Yates (Mitchelton – Scott) has already used up most of his helpers.
Peters leaves Zakarin on the downhill
So good Ilnur Zakarin also comes uphill - downhill he has his weaknesses. So could himself Nan's Peters detach from the Russian immediately after the summit of Port de Balès. However, being the better climber, he managed to make up some time up the Col de Peyresourde. But it shouldn't be enough. Nans Peters secured the last mountain classification of the day and drove towards the greatest success of his career. Behind it succeeded Tom's Skujins and Charles Verona even Ilnur Zakarin to overtake on the Peyresourde descent.
Buchmann not among the best today
At the Col de Peyresourde, it was of course also about the overall ranking. Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) launched his attack early but was sent through shortly afterwards. As Tom Dumoulin (Jumbo – Visma) increased the pace again, the group of favorites flew completely apart. Tadej pogacar (UAE) attacked and was able to join his Slovenian compatriot Primois Roglic (Jumbo – Visma) and the Colombian Nairo Quintana (Arkéa – Samsic) drop. After everything went back together, he sat down alone. Mikel Landa (Bahrain – Merida) and Richie porte (Trek – Segafredo) went in pursuit. These three only let the remaining favorites go because they lost time yesterday on the edge of the wind. As William Martin (Cofidis) attacked, the competition finally drove behind. had again Egan Bernal (Ineos) problems as well as leaders Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott). Unfortunately, it was no longer among the favorites Emmanuel Buchman (Bora – hansgrohe).
Pogacar is the winner of the classification drivers
In the descent from the Col de Peyresourde almost everything came together again among the favorites. Lost like that Egan Bernal and Adam Yates ultimately no time for their opponents. Only Tadej Pogacar can be celebrated today as the winner of the podium candidates. The Slovenian lost valuable time on the edge of the wind yesterday and regained some of that time today. Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) attacked again just before the finish line and gained a small lead. Adam Yates however, successfully defended his yellow jersey. The strongest drivers in the classification missed out on creating a potentially crucial gap to the weakening competition.
🇨🇵 #TDF2020 Nans Peters was victorious at the final stage 8. Brazos en alto y sonrisa al viento para el francés.#TDFxESPN
— CiclismoInternacional (@CiclismoInter) September 5, 2020