Kaden Groves Claims First Tour de France Stage Win

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Australian cyclist Kaden Groves has secured his first Tour de France stage victory, delivering a remarkable solo performance on stage 20 of the iconic race.

The 184.2km route from Nantua  to Pontarlier proved challenging, but Groves launched a bold solo breakaway with 16 kilometres remaining, holding off the peloton to clinch the win.

Groves, who hails from Queensland, had previously claimed victories at the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España, but the Tour had eluded him until now. Overcome with emotion, he shed tears after crossing the line, stating, “There’s so much pressure at the Tour… And now I’ve shown them.”

Normally known as a sprinter, Groves’ stage 20 win marked the first time he claimed a professional victory outside of a bunch sprint, showcasing his versatility and strength.

Earlier in the stage, fellow Australian Harry Sweeny launched his own solo attack and built a lead of 40 seconds before being reeled in by a group of elite riders. Sweeny’s aggressive effort earned him the combativity award for the stage.

As heavy rain hit the route, crashes on a slippery descent disrupted the leading group. Seizing the opportunity, Groves made his decisive move, holding strong to the finish and becoming the 114th cyclist to win a stage in all three Grand Tours.

He now adds his Tour win to a career that already includes seven Vuelta stage wins and two Giro victories. Groves also became the third stage winner for his team, Alpecin-Deceuninck, in this year’s race.

Tour leader Tadej Pogačar finished safely in the main group and is poised to secure his third overall Tour de France victory in Paris. He also sealed the King of the Mountains classification, adding to his already impressive record.

Reflecting on the historic moment, Groves said, “Today I had super legs. I just suffered at the line and as a reward we got a Tour stage.”

Meanwhile, Australian rider Ben O’Connor, who won stage 18, slipped out of the top 10 overall after losing ground to French rider Jordan Jegat.

Groves finished 54 seconds ahead of Dutchman Frank van den Broek, capping off a defining moment for the Australian rider and providing a proud sporting highlight for the nation.