Cycling: Ben O'Connor won the 18th stage of the Tour de France. The Australian was the only escapee to secure the finish ahead of the favorites. The German racing team RB – Bora – hansgrohe took a lot of risks but ultimately lost time.
O'Connor returns
He had originally aimed for the overall classification at this year's Tour de France. But after two weak weeks, his deficit was already too large. This allowed Ben O'Connor (Jayco AlUla) to join the breakaway today without any trouble – and to win. The Australian was the strongest climber on the 171,5-kilometer stage from Vif to Courchevel. He won a tactically driven stage on the Col de la Loze (26,5 km at 6,4%), even though he was briefly caught by the favorites. Team RB-Bora-Hansgrohe had bad luck, having taken incredible risks today and ultimately losing valuable time. Florian Lipowitz (RB-Bora-Hansgrohe) defended his third place in the general classification and the white jersey as best young rider, but Oscar Onley (Picnic PostNL) remains hot on his heels. Leader Tadej Pogacar (UAE – XRG) has once again proven that he is the strongest climber and has extended his lead.
Lenny Martinez wins the mountain classification on the Col du Glandon
Right from kilometer zero, Team Lidl-Trek controlled the pace of the peloton, making it clear that no breakaway group would escape until the intermediate sprint. After Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), wearer of the green jersey, secured maximum points there, the team dropped back. Attacks began immediately and continued into the first climb. On the Col du Glandon (21,7 km at 5,1%), several breakaway groups finally formed. Among them was the wearer of the polka dot jersey, Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious), who also secured maximum points at the summit. It should be noted, however, that he repeatedly gained an advantage by using a so-called "sticky bottle." It is possible that the Tour organizers will issue a penalty for this. On the descent, the Frenchman was unable to keep up with the pace of his companions, so he initially dropped back into the peloton and later became far behind.
Roglic and Gall go on the offensive
Also in the breakaway group were two very dangerous contenders for the overall classification: Austrian Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) and Slovenian Primoz Roglic (RB Bora-hansgrohe). Thanks to excellent support work by Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), the gap to the group vying for the yellow jersey increased to over three minutes. However, as Team Visma-Lease a Bike significantly increased the pace in the peloton on the Col de la Madeleine (19,3 km at 7,8%), the gap began to dwindle. After the groundwork laid by Simon Yates and Sepp Kuss , only Jonas Vingegaard , Tadej Pogacar , and Florian Lipowitz (RB Bora-hansgrohe) were able to stay on their wheels.
Vingegaard attacks at the Col de la Madeleine
Five kilometers from the summit of the Col de la Madeleine (19,3 km at 7,8%), Jonas Vingegaard (Visma – Lease a Bike) launched his attack. However, he was unable to shake off the man in the yellow jersey, Tadej Pogacar (UAE – XRG). Florian Lipowitz (RB – Bora – hansgrohe), on the other hand, could no longer follow. In no time, the two best climbers in the world caught up with the breakaway group, where Matteo Jorgenson (Visma – Lease a Bike) was now responsible for setting the pace. When the points for the King of the Mountains classification were awarded, Vingegaard and Pogacar moved to the front. It now seems clear that the King of the Mountains jersey in Paris will go to the world champion from Slovenia. Meanwhile, Lipowitz had to tackle the descent alone, about 50 seconds behind the group of favorites and with a lead of over a minute on the group containing rival Oscar Onley (Picnic PostNL).
Sepp Kuss destroys the group of favorites. Lipowitz is struggling to keep up. #TDF2025 pic.twitter.com/dKyNNDjYcd
— Tour de France – DE (@letour_de) July 24, 2025
Tactical poker before the final climb
When Matteo Jorgenson (Visma – Lease a Bike) dropped back from setting the pace on the flat section, the pace in the favorites' group slowed. Ben O'Conner (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) and Einer Rubio (Movistar) then launched an attack – they were aiming for the stage win. Jorgenson went with them. The trio built up a lead of over a minute – and the pace in the favorites' group completely died down. This allowed Florian Lipowitz (RB – Bora – hansgrohe) to rejoin the peloton. A little later, the German in the white jersey even attacked – before the final climb began. The 24-year-old was banking on the disunity in the yellow jersey group – and the plan worked. The big names in the yellow jersey group were just looking at each other – and Lipowitz was able to build a substantial lead.
That guy! Now he's attacking too! #TDF2025 pic.twitter.com/fwGEUYlOZK
— Tour de France – DE (@letour_de) July 24, 2025
O'Conner tries it as a soloist
While Ben O'Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) managed to shake off his companions Einer Rubio (Movistar) and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma – Lease a Bike), Florian Lipowitz (RB – Bora – hansgrohe) was unable to reduce the gap to the leaders. Behind them, the group including Oscar Onley (Picnic PostNL), despite being almost three minutes behind at one point, managed to catch up with the group containing the yellow jersey. This group also included numerous support riders for Tadej Pogacar (UAE – XRG) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma – Lease a Bike). This, of course, didn't work in Lipowitz's favor, as the black-and-yellow-clad peloton chipped away at the two-minute gap second by second and eventually caught him. A further increase in pace dropped the German, costing him valuable time. However, the stage win went to a strong Ben O'Connor.
Ben O'Connor conquers the Col de la Loze
What a win for the Australian on a historic mountain at the Tour de France ⛰ pic.twitter.com/GU54KMkqeI
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) July 24, 2025