Highlights leading to Rest Day - Significant instances from the Yellow Jersey contest in the Tour de France, illustrated in photographs
The first rest day of the 2025 Tour de France marked a significant turning point in the race, following ten stages of intense competition. The most notable event was the change in the yellow jersey, with Ben Healy of EF Education-EasyPost becoming the new leader.
Healy's ascent to the top was the result of a strategic breakaway on stage 10, as he successfully navigated the Massif Central, a challenging terrain in the heart of France. This marked the fourth time an Irishman has donned the famous yellow jersey, a testament to Healy's exceptional performance.
EF Education-EasyPost's tactical approach was evident in the team effort that secured the yellow jersey. Neilson Powless, Harry Sweeny, and Alex Baudin all played crucial roles, sacrificing a stage win to focus on securing the overall lead.
The 2025 Tour de France has a Bastille Day extension, making the opening 'week' of the Tour cover almost half the race route. This extended opening phase has provided an opportunity for newcomers like Milan, who has already made it to the biggest stage, to shine.
Meanwhile, other riders have faced their own challenges. Jonas Vingegaard, for instance, faced his first test since his time trial performance on Stage 5. Tadej Pogačar and Vingegaard have been engaged in mind games during the Tour, with Visma-Lease a Bike attempting to disrupt Pogačar on Stage 10 but failing to land a significant blow.
In the sprint category, Tim Merlier has made it anything but easy for Milan. Merlier has won both of his sprints at this Tour, including a close one on Stage 10. Meanwhile, Mathieu van der Poel's performance on Stage 9 was a kamikaze effort and a display of heroism, despite not winning the stage.
Jonathan Milan, at the age of 24, has already racked up 23 wins, 18 of which have come in the past 18 months. Milan won three stages and the points jersey at the Giro d'Italia in 2024. Geraint Thomas, a veteran of the race, was a part of the Stage 7 breakaway, which he described as "lambs to the slaughter."
Healy's victory in Stage 6 was due to his superior strength and a surprise attack 42km from the line. Lidl-Trek switched Mads Pedersen to the Giro d'Italia to give Milan a shot at the Tour. Visma-Lease a Bike attempted to extend the chaotic fight for the breakaway on Stage 6, but it was Healy who emerged victorious, with a winning margin of nearly three minutes.
The race now moves into the second week, which includes more demanding mountain stages. The riders will need to rest and strategize before tackling the challenges that lie ahead.
Sports enthusiasts will be eager to watch how Ben Healy of EF Education-EasyPost navigates the demanding mountain stages in the second week of the 2025 Tour de France. His strategic breakaway on stage 10 and ascent to the top, securing the yellow jersey, has set a new standard in the intense competition.
