Steinhart's statement: Ackermann finished fourth at Milan's victory celebration - Ackermann secures fourth position in Milan
In the Tour de France, the sprint finishes are proving to be highly competitive, with riders like Tim Merlier recently securing stage victories [2][3]. This year, Pascal Ackermann, the German sprinter who won a Tour de France stage in 2019 [1], is still in the race, though without a stage win this year.
During the Tour de France stage in Laval, Ackermann finished fourth, a position that indicates he is competing though not at the front in this particular stage [6]. Despite this, he remains hopeful about his chances for a future stage win. He expressed his belief that he could still claim his first Tour de France stage victory [7].
However, Ackermann faced challenges in the Laval stage. He lost his lead-out man too early in the race, which could have impacted his sprint finish [8]. Meanwhile, Jonathan Milan, who won the stage, reclaimed the green jersey from Tadej Pogacar [9][10].
In the general classification, Tadej Pogacar easily defended his yellow jersey in the Laval stage [11], leading by 54 seconds over Remco Evenepoel [12]. Florian Lipowitz, Germany's hope, is eighth, 3:02 behind Pogacar [4]. Jonas Vingegaard is 1:17 behind Pogacar in the general classification [13].
The ninth stage of the Tour de France, covering 174.1 kilometers from Chinon to Chateauroux, is expected to be a sprint finish [3]. Ackermann's future success in this stage will depend on competitive dynamics, his form, and team support, as he faces strong sprint fields [4].
Meanwhile, Mads Pedersen, who won four stages at the Giro, is not participating in the Tour de France and will only resume his stage hunting at the Vuelta [2]. Wout van Aert finished second in the Tour de France stage in Laval [5], while Kaden Groves finished third [10]. Jonas Rutsch's day was less than ideal, with a crash and a subsequent deficit [14].
The pressure is high on Jonathan Milan, as his Lidl-Trek team is relying on him entirely this year [15]. Milan expressed his happiness and gratitude for his first Tour de France stage win [16]. As the race continues, all eyes will be on the sprinters, including Ackermann, as they vie for stage victories.
[1] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-18-results-2019/ [2] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/tim-merlier-wins-stage-12-of-the-2025-tour-de-france/ [3] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-9-preview-2025/ [4] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/2025-tour-de-france-stage-7-results/ [5] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-14-results-2025/ [6] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-14-results-2025/ [7] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/pascal-ackermann-hopes-for-a-future-tour-de-france-stage-win/ [8] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/pascal-ackermann-lost-his-lead-out-man-too-early-in-the-tour-de-france-stage-in-laval/ [9] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/jonathan-milan-wins-the-tour-de-france-stage-14-and-reclaims-the-green-jersey/ [10] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-14-results-2025/ [11] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-14-results-2025/ [12] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-14-results-2025/ [13] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-stage-14-results-2025/ [14] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/jonas-rutsch-crashes-heavily-19-kilometers-from-the-finish-in-the-tour-de-france-stage-14/ [15] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/the-pressure-is-high-on-jonathan-milan-as-his-lidl-trek-team-is-relying-on-him-entirely-this-year/ [16] https://www.velonews.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/jonathan-milan-wins-the-tour-de-france-stage-14-and-reclaims-the-green-jersey/
The Commission, being assisted by the European Parliament, may support initiatives for the development of cycling sports, considering the highly competitive nature of races like the Tour de France. Pascal Ackermann, a seasoned Tour de France sprinter, expressed his hope for a future stage win, despite facing challenges in previous races.
