Fred Wright vows ‘more to come’ at Tour de France after late attack on stage eight
British national champion says first rest day can't come soon enough after scorching stage from Libourne to Limoges


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Fred Wright has said that his late attack on stage eight of the Tour de France was a little appetiser for what’s to come from him in the coming two weeks of racing.
As the punchy stage to Limoges - won by Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek - reached its conclusion, the Bahrain-Victorious rider was in the thick of the action as he battled at the front of the peloton looking to contest the uphill sprint to the line.
The Londoner eventually finished 13th.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly in Limoges, Wright explained that he was full of motivation and had plenty more to give at this year’s edition of the French Grand Tour.
“I think today was a bit of a taster and a bit of a warm up for hopefully what's to come in the next couple of weeks,” Wright said. “At the Tour you've got to go easy when you can and yeah, just hope for good legs.”
The British national champion explained that the finale was always going to be tricky and technical, particularly with the small climbs that the peloton faced.
“We knew with those little climbs, it was gonna be gonna be sketchy with lots of fast descents. On that last climb I put myself in a good position with Matej [Mohorič] and Phil [Bauhaus]. Then, yeah, I tried a little move and followed Victor Campenaerts [Lotto Dstny] but it was quite clear that even from the very start of the stage they wanted a bunch sprint.
“So yeah, it was maybe a bit of a waste of energy looking at that final, but I tried.”
With the first rest day of the race within touching distance, Wright explained that he was pleased with his performance and would look to carry the same form into the second and final week.
“I think it's fair to say that today I was feeling maybe my best,” he said. “I guess maybe that's just because other people are getting tired but no, I was feeling good today. So I'm really happy with that.”
“Tomorrow's probably a bit of a sleeper stage for me, I'll try and help one of the climbers into the break and then who knows, save the legs to the finish and then it's finally a rest day.
"I'm looking forward to it.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Tom is a News and Features Writer at Cycling Weekly, and previously worked in communications at Oxford Brookes University. He has reported from a wide range of races and events including the Tour de France and World Championships.
-
-
‘A gateway of just how far their dreams and a bike can take them’ - Los Angeles’ first-ever pump track is now open
Los Angeles’ first-ever pump track opened to the public on Friday, September 22, after two years of construction.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
UK cycle tech falls by a third, with bikes sales also struggling, says industry report
The cycle industry continues to face challenges, with tech in freefall and even ebikes lagging behind the rest of Europe
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Mark Cavendish to postpone retirement and ride on with Astana Qazaqstan, reports
British sprinter reported to have reached agreement with current team to continue racing in 2024
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
In memoriam: Tadej Pogačar's white jersey domination
After 81 days in the young rider's jersey at Grand Tours, the Slovenian has grown up
By Adam Becket Published
-
'They race like juniors': How men's pro cycling is getting wilder and races refuse to slow down
Racing from the gun during a three week Grand Tour is a big ask for even the best and the strongest. Is this the new cycling?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel hopes to 'steal' Jonas Vingegaard's secrets at Vuelta a España as he looks to 2024 Tour de France
Belgian aiming for second Vuelta a España triumph over the next three weeks, but faces stiff opposition
By Tom Davidson Published
-
WorldTour teams have an extra three years to halve carbon emissions before losing license - UCI clarifies
A carbon emissions tracker has been introduced and it is mandatory for all stakeholders to use it
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
‘I really like city street racing’ - Tadej Pogačar on the ‘enjoyable’ World Championships road race course
Slovenian two-time Tour de France winner took bronze behind rainbow jersey winner Mathieu van der Poel
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Fred Wright anticipating tough battle in elite men's road race at World Championships
Luke Rowe on racing Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert: 'If you wait and try to race them man on man in the final, I think you’re just waiting with a loaded gun to your head'
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Glasgow World Championships 2023: Eight riders to watch in the elite men's road race
Remco Evenepoel gets set to defend the title he won in Wollongong, Australia last year
By Tom Thewlis Published