The three-time champion is up 4 minutes, 15 seconds over the Danish rider with five days to go; France’s Valentin Paret-Peintre wins the 16th stage.

The International Cycling Union has objected to the presence of Johan Bruyneel, Lance Armstrong's former team manager, in staff areas of the Tour de France.

The versatile Dutchman, Mathieu van der Poel, who wore the yellow jersey and won a stage during the opening week of Tour de France, has withdrawn from the race.

Serieys has outlined strong ambitions for the coming seasons, targeting success in Grand Tour stages and one-day classics such as Paris-Roubaix and Milan-San Remo. The ultimate goal is to win the Tour de France by 2030, with a French rider.

When the reigning champion suffered a 40 mph crash, his title defense was in jeopardy. Until a man in blue overalls jumped off his motorbike and leapt into action.

By Julien Pretot MONTPELLIER, France (Reuters) -Tadej Pogacar is riding not just for the yellow jersey on the Tour de France, but also to bury the ghosts of the past. As the 2025 Tour de France heads into its final and most punishing mountain stages,