Live from Lille, it’s the latest “Great Loop.” The Tour de France, cycling’s chicest and most significant race, commences from the country’s northern tip. To paraphrase a contemporary great … we got the grip like a handle, and we’re bikin’. Wheels on the road, folks. The complete route can be found here.

Jasper Philipsen has won the opening stage of the Tour de France in a sprint to the line in Lille. Defending champion Tadej Pogačar finished safely.

Philipsen will probably have to contend with Merlier and Milan this time, but he looks to be peaking for the time of the season which matters most. A second Tour de France stage win of 2025, and an 11th overall, could be coming for the 28-year-old.