Only an unprecedented calamity can deny Tadej Pogacar a fourth Tour de France title after he cruised through the final test in the mountains, with the two bonus seconds he lost to Jonas Vingegaard in the finale immaterial. Thymen Arensman claimed a second stage win for Ineos Grenadiers, although it was only possible after a lack of courage behind. The high mountains are done and dusted.
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McLaren’s Oscar Piastri produced a breathtaking performance to set pole position for the sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix. The Australian, the world championship leader, was 0.477 seconds quicker than Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and 0.618secs ahead of team-mate and title rival Lando Norris. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth, but 0.768secs off the pace.
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There will be no more Col de la Loze nightmares for Tadej Pogacar after he comfortably saw off the threat of Jonas Vingegaard on the Tour de France queen stage. Pogacar stretched his lead in the general classification to 4:26″ with just one mountain stage remaining as Vingegaard could only muster a token attack on the final climb. Meanwhile, Britain’s Oscar Onley soared closer to the podium.
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The rolling, 160-kilometre run to Valence represented the calm before the Alpine storm, but there was drama at the end of Stage 17 as rain made conditions treacherous for the riders. A big crash saw the sprint trains disrupted, before Jonathan Milan was able to keep it upright and take his second win of this year’s Tour.
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Marcus Rashford says he feels like he is “at home” at Barcelona after completing a season-long loan move to the La Liga club. The 27-year-old has joined on an initial 12-month loan from Manchester United, with the Catalan giants having the option of signing the England international on a permanent basis for £30.3m (35m euros) in 2026. He is the first English player to sign for Barcelona since Gary Lineker in 1986.
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