Arabic version: وارنسكولد يفوز بمرحلة طواف فرنسا بسرعة قياسية في اندفاعة
Norwegian Soeren Waerenskjold sprinted to victory on stage 11 of the Tour de France, which became the fastest road stage in the race’s history with an average speed of 50.9 km/h. The 161.3-kilometre route from Vichy to Nevers finished in a bunch sprint that the 26-year-old Uno‑X Mobility rider won for his first Tour stage success.
According to ABC News, Waerenskjold edged Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen in the final dash, while Tadej Pogačar protected his more than three-and-a-half-minute lead and retained the yellow jersey. Pogačar finished among the main bunch alongside his principal challenger Jonas Vingegaard.
The stage unfolded with early attacks from Mathieu van der Poel and Valentin Paret‑Peintre that were reined in, before a four‑man break of Julian Alaphilippe, Mathis Le Berre, Nelson Oliveira and Anthon Charmig established a gap. They reached Moulins with about 100km remaining and led by 1 minute 15 seconds, but their margin dwindled as the peloton increased the pace. The gap was 45 seconds at the category‑4 Côte de Billy‑Chevannes and had fallen to 19 seconds with 10km to go; the leaders were finally caught with 5.5km remaining, setting the stage for the sprint.
Waerenskjold said he thought he was “too far back” before a right‑side opening took him to the front, and compared the finish to his earlier win in Omloop het Nieuwsblad.
The result matters because it delivered a first Tour stage win for Waerenskjold and produced a new speed record for a Tour road stage, underlining how quickly the flat route was ridden and how the general classification remains heavily shaped by Pogačar’s substantial advantage. The race also highlighted rider vulnerability: Waerenskjold had finished last among 175 riders the previous day after a crash on the hilly stage to Le Lioran and sought treatment for his right hand earlier in the event.
What happens next: the Tour de France continues at 9:30pm tonight (AEST) with a 181km flat stage, as the peloton moves on from the record‑breaking run and teams prepare for another day of sprint and position battles.
Related sections: Australia/استراليا | Western Australia | General | World/العالم
