Get ready, Third Wheel fans: Stage 11 of the 2025 Tour de France delivered more drama than a season finale. With falling heroes, protest-arazzi, and a breakthrough win, it’s everything we love about pro cycling—and why you should hop on a bike, pronto.

Toulouse played host to a high-octane, breakneck sprint finish. Amid this chaos:

• Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno‑X Mobility) made a gutsy long-range move, crossing the line first—his first-ever Tour stage win  .
• Mauro Schmid (Switzerland) surged into second; and Mathieu van der Poel snagged third, underlining this edition’s aggressive racing  .

⚡ Pogacar’s Faceplant & Favorite Friends

Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian powerhouse, was making waves until an unfortunate crash with just 5 km to go shook things up  . But hold the dramatics—Poga exploded back on his bike, and in a heartwarming act of solidarity, the peloton slowed to wait for him  . His assessment? “Just skin,” minor abrasions, no time losses, cleared medically. That yellow jersey stays hot.

🧨 Politics Meets Peloton

Just as the dust settled, a protestor clad in a “Israel out of the Tour” tee and waving a keffiyeh sprinted into the mix—right across the finishing straight  . Security swooped, but the disruption underscored how global events ripple even through the neutral paint of a cycling race.

🌟 What Tenacity Looks Like

• Abrahamsen’s turnaround from collarbone surgery to stage winner in four weeks is a motivational manifesto for solo riders everywhere  .
• Pogacar’s fall and comeback, plus the peloton’s pause, reminds us why cycling is more than fitness—it’s heart, honor, and respect.
• Team dynamics—from joint braking to chase splintering—showcase how races are as much strategic tournaments as athletic feats.

Why This Matters to You, the Everyday Rider

• Instant inspiration: Abrahamsen’s win proves anyone can smash goals with grit and recovery.
• Skill-building: Tackle sprints, hills, and crashes head-on—train like a pro (but maybe wear pads).
• Community vibes: Cycling is a culture centered on respect, resilience, and solidarity—a world you’re not just riding through, but joining.

🔧 How to Ride This Energy

1. Try a breakaway: Just like Abrahamsen, pick your moment—it might be your best ride yet.
2. Practice recovery drills: Simulate crashes and quick restarts—stay sharp and safe.
3. Build peloton etiquette: Practice riding in group rides with trust, signalling, and solidarity. 

The Tour’s Next Move

Expect the high mountains to reshape the leaderboard soon. Pogacar’s form is solid, Abrahamsen’s confidence is full-on, and the peloton’s unity? Rock solid. As we head into the Pyrenees, get set for more fireworks.

👀 Final Take

Stage 11 had it all: a breakout win, a crash turned collective, and politics colliding with sport. It’s exactly the kind of narrative that makes cycling more than a bike ride—it’s a lifestyle, a community, and one helluva show.

Third Wheel’s takeaway: Whether you’re sprinting your local crit, climbing epic roads, or just maintaining your Monday grind—do it with heart. Race fast, ride smart, and live the legend.