Another exciting bunch sprint in Colombey-les-deux-Eglises was won by Biniam Girmay (Intermarche - Wanty) to take the Stage 8 bouquet and strengthen his position in the green jersey. Girmay just got the better of second placed Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) in a tough uphill finish. Meanwhile it was Arnaud de Lie (Lotto-dstny) who finished in third place, with Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech) and Marijn Van den Berg (EF Education-EasyPost) completing the top five. In the Yellow Jersey Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) remains in charge in the overall rankings, with nothing changing at the top of the general classification on the eighth day of racing. Pogacar therefore still leads the GC rankings by 33” from Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) and 1'15" from Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike).
Pedersen out of the Tour
There were 173 riders on the start line in Semur-en-Auxois, after Mads Pedersen was ultimately forced to abandon the race following his crash in the bunch sprint into Saint Vulbas on Stage 5. Intermittent rain, strong wind and the hilly parcours meant it would be a demanding day. Neilson Powless and Stefan Bissegger (EF Education-EasyPost) attacked as soon as the starting flag was shown, along with Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X). That trio built an advantage that increased to 2'25” at km 16. However, the attacks of EF Education-EasyPost itself on the Côte de Vitteaux (Cat 3, km 24.1) caused the peloton to accelerate and at the summit polka dot jersey wearer Abrahamsen went over first, with the gap back to bunch by then down to just 1'15”.
Abrahamsen charges on
Not finally able to place Ben Healy or Alberto Bettiol in the breakaway, EF gave up on the attacks and also stopped Bissegger and Powless. Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) tried to join Abrahamsen in vain, and the Norwegian would top the climbs of Côte de Villy-en-Auxois (Cat 4, km 32.5) and the Côte de Verrey-sous-Salmaise (Cat 3, km 38.8) unchallenged and alone. At the intermediate sprint marker at Lamargelle (IS, km 59) Abrahamsen enjoyed a 5'40” lead over a relaxed peloton. Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Wanty) was the first rider from the peloton at the intermediate sprint point, thus securing another day in the green jersey.
More polka dot prominence
Abrahamsen ploughed on alone over the Côte de Santenoge (Cat 4, km 96.7) and the Côte de Giey-sur-Aujon (Cat 4, km 122.4) picking up more points for the Mountain classification, though by the time he had reached the summit of the second of those climbs - the final categorised climb of the stage - his lead was down to just over 4 minutes. Abrahamsen’s successful day meant he secured himself at least two more stages in the polka dot jersey, as there will only be 4 Climbers points available to the riders on Stage 9 and then in the 10th stage there will be none.
A hectic finish in Colombey-les-deux-Eglises
Abrahamsen’s epic breakaway endeavours concluded 14.4 km from the finish and from there on the peloton raced together to Colombey-les-deux-Eglises. The frantic finale saw Girmay outsprint his rivals in an awesome display of power to grab the stage win in the green jersey.
