With his first victory on stage three and his second victory on stage eight, Eritrean Girmay became the first black African to win a stage in the Tour de France.
Girmay, a 24-year-old rider for Intermarche-Wanty, defeated Wout van Aert in a wild group sprint at Villeneuve-sur-Lot. Mark Cavendish was demoted after starting fifth.
Retiring the yellow jersey, Tadej Pogacar is still one minute and six seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel, with Jonas Vingegaard, the reigning champion, eight seconds behind.
However, Roglic, a podium candidate who finished with a torn jersey and a cut shoulder, fell from fourth to sixth.
Early in the day, Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates was also delayed due to a crash in the peloton. He had to swap bikes, but he was able to rejoin the main group without any problems.
One of the last chances for a bunch sprint was present on the 203.6-kilometer course from Aurillac to Villeneuve-sur-Lot, provided the sprinters’ teams could hold off any possible escape.
A four-person group consisting of Anthony Turgis of Total Energies, Jonas Abrahamsen of Uno-X Mobility, and riders Valentin Madouas and Quentin Pacher of Groupama-FDJ was able to establish a three-and-a-half-minute lead over the peloton.
