Soren Waerenskjold sprinted to his first career stage win in record fashion at the Tour de France on Wednesday, one day after injuring his right hand in a crash.
The 26-year-old Norwegian broke free 350 meters from the finish line to win Stage 11, a flat 161.3-kilometer trek from Vichy to Nevers. With an average speed of 50.91 kilometers per hour, it marked the fastest stage in the race’s 113-year history outside of time trials.
Olav Kooij of the Netherlands finished second and Milan Fretin of Belgium was third, followed by Dutchman Huub Artz and Biniam Girmay of Eritrea. Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen initially finished third, but he was relegated to 119th after officials determined he interfered with another racer at the sprint’s outset.
Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia retained the yellow jersey with an overall lead of 3 minutes and 36 seconds over Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard. Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel remained third, followed by Spain’s Juan Ayuso and 19-year-old Paul Seixas of France.
Sprinters will have another chance to shine on Thursday in Stage 12, a flat 179.1-kilometer ride form Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-Sur-Saone. The 113th Tour de France concludes in Paris on July 26.
–Field Level Media
