Thymen wins Tour stage atop Superbagneres

Thymen Arensman pulled off a sensational solo victory to win a mountainous stage 14 at the Tour de France.

The Dutchman clinched the biggest result of his career to date in epic fashion, pushing clear of his breakaway counterparts and holding off the surging yellow jersey contenders atop Superbagneres.

Arensman had been joined by teammate Carlos Rodriguez in the breakaway on the toughest mountain stage of the Tour thus far, but would push on and go solo over the top of the Col de Peyresourde with 36 kilometres remaining. Beginning the final climb with an advantage of around three minutes, he was able to time his efforts perfectly, holding on to win the stage by one minute and eight seconds over race leader Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG).

A stage win in his debut Tour de France now sits alongside a Vuelta a Espana stage victory in 2022 in the palmares of the 25 year old.

After being reeled in from the break, Rodriguez held tough in the GC group, setting his own tempo as Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) launched a big acceleration with four kilometres to go. 11th on the stage, the result elevated Rodriguez to 10th overall as the second week nears its conclusion.

Arensman’s stage win was the product of a committed team effort on the day, with Geraint Thomas initially going clear in a bid to get up the road prior to the famous Col du Tourmalet.

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Thymen Arensman

“I wanted to experience the Tour de France – the biggest race in the world – and then to win a stage in my first Tour in this way is unbelievable.

“I got sick at the Giro but I think still after being sick I had a good preparation. Going to my first Tour I just wanted to experience everything and I had to be really patient in the first week as it was all pretty punchy. I had to wait until the mountains. Then the first opportunity I got I was already second on the Mont-Dore stage. That was already an amazing experience, but this is unbelievable.

“Also the way I did it I think today, but also Carlos in that group. He was also super strong and he did a really good job for me. I think I just had amazing legs and the shape of my life. I heard the gap with the GC group on Peyresourde and I thought with Tadej and Jonas that three or three-and-a-half minutes is probably not enough, I have to move. Maybe it’s suicide, maybe it’s not. I can’t believe I held them off. I was really fading on the second half of the last climb, but I think with all the spectators they gave me a few more watts and I could just hold them off. It’s unbelievable!”