Record-breaking pace to Nevers: Wærenskjold wins, Pogacar chases Merckx

1: Wærenskjold overtakes on the right and wins for the first time

Sören Wærenskjold has won his first stage at the Tour de France. The Norwegian prevailed in a bunch sprint in Nevers, securing the biggest success of his career to date. For the Uno-X Mobility rider, it was also his first-ever Tour stage victory. Following several strong performances in major classics and stage races, the 25-year-old has now made his breakthrough on cycling’s biggest stage.

50,910: The fastest stage in history

Ever since Maurice Garin won the first Tour de France stage from Paris to Lyon in 1903 at an average speed of 26.304 km/h, speeds in the Tour de France have risen steadily. A new record of 50.910 km/h has now been set on the 11th stage between Vichy and Nevers.

The record was aided by the comparatively short distance of 161.3 kilometres, a tailwind and an extremely fast race pace. The 45 km/h mark had already been broken for the first time back in 1935. In 1974, Eddy Merckx averaged over 48 km/h on a 112.5-kilometre half-stage to Orléans. The 50 km/h mark was finally broken for the first time in 1999 on the stage to Blois.

Last year, Tim Merlier became only the second rider to break the 50.013 km/h barrier between Chinon and Châteauroux. Now Wærenskjold has followed suit with his record-breaking stage to Nevers. It seems only a matter of time before the magical 51 km/h mark is reached.

9: The last shall be first

On Tuesday, Sören Wærenskjold finished last on the gruelling mountain stage to Le Lioran. He crossed the finish line in 175th place, more than 41 minutes behind stage winner Tadej Pogacar, having also been set back by a crash.

Just one day later, the Norwegian turned the tables completely and won the bunch sprint in Nevers. This makes him only the ninth rider in the history of the Tour de France to achieve the feat of winning a stage the very next day after finishing last.

The last person to achieve this feat was Caleb Ewan at the 2020 Tour. The Australian had finished last on the second stage in Nice and went on to win the following day in Sisteron. Previously, this feat had been achieved by René Le Grévès, Maurice Blomme, Roger Hassenforder, Guy Ignolin, Raymond Delisle, Pierre Matignon and Régis Clère, amongst others.

21: Vikings on course for victory

With this victory in Nevers, Norway celebrates its 21st stage win at the Tour de France. Wærenskjold is the seventh Norwegian rider to win a stage of the Tour de France.

He is thus following in the footsteps of his team-mate Jonas Abrahamsen, who won last year’s stage to Toulouse. Furthermore, Wærenskjold is only the fourth Norwegian to win a bunch sprint at the Tour. Before him, the others were Thor Hushovd, Edvald Boasson Hagen and Alexander Kristoff.

2: UNO-X successful on two occasions

For Uno-X Mobility, the Tour de France is turning into a real fairy tale. After Torstein Træen wore the yellow jersey for two days in the first week, the Scandinavian team has now celebrated its second stage victory in the history of the Tour.

It was only last year that Jonas Abrahamsen secured the team’s first victory in Toulouse. This record is all the more remarkable given that Uno-X Mobility only made its Tour de France debut in 2023. The team consists exclusively of riders from Norway and Denmark.

21: Yellow Meets the Rainbow

Tadej Pogacar defended his overall lead on the stage to Nevers, wearing the Yellow Jersey for the 61st time in his career. This puts the Slovenian in third place in the all-time rankings.

Particularly noteworthy: this is the 21st time Pogacar has worn both the Tour leader’s yellow jersey and the world champion’s rainbow jersey. He has thus overtaken Bernard Hinault, who achieved this feat on 20 such race days.

In this special classification, only Eddy Merckx is ahead of Pogacar. The Belgian spent 27 days wearing both the yellow jersey and the rainbow jersey. If Pogacar maintains his lead, he could equal or even break this record as early as Stage 18 between Voiron and Orcières-Merlette.

100: Uncle Sam is waiting for his 100th victory

The USA is still waiting for its 100th stage victory in the Tour de France. The big anniversary win failed to materialise in Nevers either. The best-placed American was Brandon McNulty in 41st place.

It has been a long time since the last US stage victory. Sepp Kuss won the 15th stage to Andorra la Vella at the 2021 Tour. Since then, 100 Tour stages have passed without an American stage win.

Hopes continue to rest on riders such as McNulty, Quinn Simmons, Sean Quinn, Matthew Riccitello, Matteo Jorgenson and Sepp Kuss. There are still a few opportunities left to end the dry spell in this Tour.