North East Regional Extra, Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - Page 1
nemedia.com.au
ALONG FOR THE RIDE
I
T’S that time of year again, when bleary-eyed Australian sports fans go without sleep as they take in a range of events from the other side of the world. And top of these sporting spectaculars is the grandest of cycling’s Grand Tours, the ultimate test of grit and stamina on two wheels – the Tour de France. And, despite the distraction of stunning scenery and spectator shenanigans, it will be hard to take your eyes off the road as the world’s best cyclists vie for the coveted maillot jaune (yellow jersey).
This year’s edition of the Tour is expected to be a showdown between Slovenian Tadej Pogačar and Dane Jonas Vingegaard. For the past five years it has been one or the other on top of the podium in Paris. Commentator Matthew Keenan will again be leading the coverage and is excited about what’s to come, especially the Pogačar-Vingegaard rivalry. “This is cycling’s Roger versus Rafa – two of the sport’s greats, chasing cycling’s biggest prize at the peak of their powers,” says Keenan, who is in his
19th year of covering the Tour. “Pogačar first won the Tour in 2020 but Vingegaard wasn’t in the race that year. Since then they’ve gone head-to-head, for the last four years, it’s two wins each and two second place finishes each. “Pogačar is the crowd favourite for his attacking racing style. Vingegaard races with the calculation of an accountant yet you can’t help but admire his meticulous approach to trying to beat Pogačar. “This year’s Tour will be the best we’ve seen this century… excluding the win by Cadel
Evans in 2011, of course.” Saturday’s first stage is a traditional flat opener – just a lazy 184.9km round trip starting and finishing in Lille.
CYCLING: TOUR DE FRANCE
Saturday, live from 9pm, SBS On Demand and 9.35pm, SBS