Mads Pedersen snaps Philipsen’s Tour bunch sprint winning streak

Mads Pedersen fended off triple 2023 Tour de France stage winner Jasper Philipsen and powered to his first victory of the 110th edition and the second of his career. He has now won stages of all three Grand Tours. It was a day somewhat spoiled by Mark Cavendish crashing out of his final Tour before retirement. Jonas Vingegaard retained the yellow jersey. For the second stage in a row Guillaume Boivin was the top Canadian, this time in 46th.

The Course

Two hundred kilometers took the riders from Libourne to Limoges, with three classified climbs–two Cat. 4s and a Cat. 3–in the final two-fifths of the route.

Check out the final part of this #TDF2023 stage to Limouges.

Those hills coming in quick succession are perfect for a late attack or for the breakaway to hold off the peloton. pic.twitter.com/EYzcRaGd5s

— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) July 8, 2023

It took 30 km and several attempts for a breakaway to form. Finally, a trio consisting of a Belgian and two Frenchmen got clear. Just before the day’s intermediate sprint, Mathieu van der Poel attacked and drew a gang of guys but this surprising move didn’t last.

The sunflowers finally arrived!

*Squints*

‘Yup, must be France’ #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/K6qrRBTALK

— EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) July 8, 2023

With 62 km to go, Mark Cavendish crashed with Pello Bilbao and the Manx Missile abandoned the Tour, the stage win record of 34 victories still shared between the Brit and Eddy Merckx.

?? RACE: @LeTour @markcavendish crashed 60 km from finish with Pello Bilbao and was forced to abandon. He left the race in the ambulance. Updates will follow as soon as there is more news#TDF2023  #AstanaQazaqstanTeam

— Astana Qazaqstan Team (@AstanaQazTeam) July 8, 2023

The work of several teams like Lidl-Trek and Jayco-AlUla brought the trio closer. On the penultimate climb, Cat. 4 Côte de Masmont, the trio fragmented. Jumbo-Visma powered the peloton up Cat. 4 Côte de Condat-sur-Vienne, splitting the field. The last fugitive holdout surrendered just past the peak. Eight kilometers remained.

Just after Michael Woods trickled off the back, fourth-place Simon Yates and 11th-place Mikel Landa were caught up in a crash, with no 3-km rule to help them.

Lidl-Trek massed at the front. Christophe Laporte tried to lead out Wout Van Aert through the middle. Pedersen burst out along the right-hand barrier and then held off Philipsen. Van Aert claimed third.

Sunday concludes Week 1 with the brutal Puy de Dome summit finish.

2023 Tour de France Stage 8
1) Mads Pedersen (Denmark/Lidl-Trek) 4:12:26
2) Jasper Philipsen (Belgium/Alpecin-Deceuninck) s.t.
3) Wout Van Aert (Belgium/Jumbo-Visma) s.t.
46) Guillaume Boivin (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) +0:22
94) Michael Woods (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) +3:44
102) Hugo Houle (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) +4:49

2023 Tour de France GC
1) Jonas Vingegaard (Denmark/Jumbo-Visma) 34:09:38
2) Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia/UAE-Emirates) +0:25
3) Jai Hindley (Australia/Bora-Hansgrohe) +1:34
32) Michael Woods (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) +28:16
66) Hugo Houle (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) +57:04
118) Guillaume Boivin (Canada/Israel-Premier Tech) +1:25:37