In a heart-stopping finale, Italian sprinter Jonathan Milan claimed his second stage victory at this year's Tour de France, overcoming a chaotic crash-strewn sprint that left several riders nursing injuries.
Chaos on the Final Straight
The peloton approached the finish line at breakneck speed when a mass collision took out multiple contenders just 500 metres from the line. Milan, riding for Lidl-Trek, demonstrated exceptional bike handling to navigate through the carnage and power to victory.
Milan's Tactical Masterclass
The 24-year-old showed why he's considered one of cycling's most exciting young talents, positioning himself perfectly in the final kilometres before unleashing his devastating sprint. "I saw the crash happening and just focused on finding a clean line," Milan said after the stage. "This win means everything after such a tough race."
Injury Concerns Mount
Medical teams attended to several riders following the high-speed pile-up, with at least two competitors forced to abandon the race. Organisers confirmed all riders were conscious and receiving treatment, though some may miss subsequent stages.
General Classification Unchanged
While the sprint finish provided drama, the overall standings saw little movement. Race leader Tadej Pogačar finished safely in the main group, maintaining his advantage as the Tour heads into its decisive mountain stages.
This victory cements Milan's reputation as one of the peloton's premier sprinters and sets up an intriguing battle for the green jersey in the coming days.
