Lidl-Trek's lead sprinter Milan marks the end of Italy's stage losing streak
**Italian Cyclist Jonathan Milan Wins Stage 8 of the 2025 Tour de France**
Jonathan Milan, an Italian cyclist riding for Lidl-Trek, claimed his first-ever Tour de France stage win on Saturday, ending Italy's 114-stage drought in the prestigious race. His victory in the mass sprint finish of Stage 8 in Laval marked a significant milestone, as it was the first Italian stage win since Vincenzo Nibali's triumph in 2019.
The 26-year-old Milan demonstrated his powerful sprinting abilities under challenging conditions, with temperatures over 30°C and a slightly uphill finish in Laval. He finished ahead of notable cyclists Wout Van Aert and Kaden Groves, highlighting the strength of his sprint.
Before this Tour de France success, Milan had a strong track cycling background and has been recognized as a world champion. His win continues the trend of track world champions winning stages in this edition of the Tour.
The day's stage was marked by a relatively quiet workday for race leader Tadej Pogacar, who had a hectic first week in northern France. The challenging pace set by the sprint teams to control the race made a possible breakaway attempt more difficult.
German rider Jonas Rutsch contributed to the pace-setting in the wind but unfortunately crashed heavily near the back of the peloton around 20 km from the finish. He reached the finish with a 14-minute deficit after his crash.
The winding and technically challenging course with a slightly rising finish line made it difficult for the riders. The final true flat stage of the 112th Tour de France is on Sunday, where the day's winner will be crowned in the sprinter's paradise of Châteauroux, where Cavendish has won three times.
Pascal Ackermann, another contender, was satisfied with the day's result and said, "Fourth - that's all I could do today."
With this victory, Milan not only took the stage but also demonstrated his status as one of the fastest riders on the line throughout the Tour so far. He remains unfazed and seemingly effortlessly rode away from his rivals. The wait for the Germans continues after 79 stages without a win, while Milan's win ended Italy's long drought at the French race.
[1] Tour de France Official Website [2] Cycling Weekly [3] Cycling News [4] Velonews
Sports enthusiasts might find interest in the ongoing Tour de France, where football fans could also appreciate the competitive spirit on display. Jonathan Milan, an Italian cyclist, claimed a significant victory in the 2025 Tour de France when he dominated the mass sprint finish of Stage 8, demonstrating his impressive sprinting abilities and improving his reputation as one of the fastest riders throughout the race.
