Jonathan Milan Eyes Sprint Victory in Tour de France 2025 Stage 8 as Green Jersey Battle Heats Up – Can He Overtake Van Aert and Philipsen?

Jonathan Milan enters stage 8 of the Tour de France 2025 with a burning ambition: to claim his first sprint victory and reignite the green jersey battle. The Lidl-Trek speedster faces fierce competition from Jasper Philipsen and Wout van Aert, who currently lead the points classification.

With its tricky uphill finish in Laval, the stage presents a rare opportunity for power sprinters like Milan to shine. After missing out in earlier flat stages, the Italian must capitalize on this terrain to close the gap in the green jersey standings. The battle for sprint supremacy is far from over.

Jonathan Milan vs. Wout van Aert: Who Has the Better Sprint Pedigree for Tour de France Stage 8?

The Tour de France 2025’s eighth stage presents a fascinating showdown between Jonathan Milan and Wout van Aert, two riders with distinctly different sprinting styles. Milan, the Lidl-Trek powerhouse, has demonstrated raw speed in flat finishes like his dominant Dauphiné stage win earlier this season. Van Aert of Visma | Lease a Bike brings more versatility, capable of handling technical finishes and small climbs better than pure sprinters.

The stage profile favors Milan with its relatively flat terrain leading into Laval, but weather conditions could disrupt predictions. Crosswinds have been a factor in previous Tour stages in this region, potentially playing to van Aert’s superior positioning skills. Milan’s team has visibly strengthened their lead-out train this season, while Visma | Lease a Bike often prioritizes GC ambitions over sprint setups.

Van Aert’s ability to sprint after hard racing days gives him an advantage in week-long consistency, but Milan’s pure speed makes him the favorite if it comes down to a straightforward bunch finish.

But didn’t Milan struggle in echelon situations at last year’s Tour? That unpredictability is why Philipsen might still be the dark horse here!

Key Statistics Comparison

Is Jasper Philipsen Still the Sprint King After Milan’s Criterium Win?

Jasper Philipsen’s stage 1 victory at this year’s Tour proved he remains a force, but Jonathan Milan’s Dauphiné performance showed new dimensions to his sprinting. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider has traditionally dominated pure flat finishes, while Milan has developed stronger climbing legs to stay competitive on tougher stages.

Philipsen’s lead-out with Mathieu van der Poel remains the best in the business, but Milan’s Lidl-Trek squad has significantly improved their train. The Italian’s recent success against top-tier competition suggests he’s ready to challenge Philipsen’s reign. Their last three head-to-head sprints have all been decided by less than half a wheel length.

What Makes Stage 8 Perfect for Milan’s Sprinting Style?

The 182km route from Saint-Méen-le-Grand to Laval features:

• Minimal elevation gain (1,350m total)
• Wide approach roads in final 5km
• Gradual uphill finish at 2% gradient
• Protected corners in last kilometer

This plays perfectly to Milan’s strengths – his powerful seated sprint excels on shallow climbs, and the wide roads allow his lead-out to position optimally. The technical elements play against pure power sprinters like Tim Merlier, while rewarding Milan’s improved bike handling.

Why Is the Green Jersey Battle Closer Than Expected?

With four sprint stages completed, the points classification standings show:

1. Jasper Philipsen – 158 pts
2. Jonathan Milan – 142 pts
3. Biniam Girmay – 135 pts
4. Wout van Aert – 128 pts

The tighter competition results from rule changes prioritizing intermediate sprints more heavily. Milan has specifically targeted these bonuses while Philipsen focuses on stage wins. This strategic divergence keeps the green jersey race alive deeper into the Tour than recent editions.

Could Weather Disrupt Milan’s Stage 8 Plans?

Forecasts suggest possible showers and moderate crosswinds, conditions that historically:

• Reduce pure sprinters’ chances by 28%
• Increase likelihood of echelons by 40%
• Favor all-rounders like van Aert

Milan’s team has reportedly practiced echelon formation drills, but remains weakest in these situations among top sprinters. The Italian’s 72kg frame handles crosswinds better than lighter riders but worse than classics specialists.

Historical Stage Success in Wet Conditions