Duels between Vingegaard and Pogacar continue, with the fifth round approaching - York's Analysis
The 112th edition of the Tour de France, set to take place without any gimmicks or foreign Grand Depart, promises a challenging yet balanced route for the world's best road cyclists [1]. Covering a total of 3,320 kilometres, the race is designed to pit the best against each other, with seven flat stages, six hilly stages, six mountain stages, and two time trials [1].
This year's route maintains the tradition of a challenging mountain terrain, featuring demanding stages such as Stage 6 (Bayeux to Vire Normandie), which boasts 3,500 metres of climbing and a steep 10% gradient finish, and Stage 7 with two ascents of the steep Mûr-de-Bretagne hill [1][4]. The Alpine stages on July 18 and 19 are among the hardest, including climbs like Col de Loze and the finish at La Plagne, known for their brutal elevation gains [3]. These mountain stages are likely to be decisive in the General Classification (GC) battle.
Two time trials are included in the 21 stages, providing opportunities for riders like Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, who are strong in both climbing and time-trialing [4]. Pogacar, the favourite for the Tour de France 2025, has historically excelled in time trials, while Vingegaard, the nearest challenger, has shown his prowess in the mountains [2].
The performance of both riders will be influenced by their mountain prowess and recovery, time trial performance, race tactics on hilly stages, sprint and flat stages management, and the impact of weather and course conditions [5]. The demanding mountain stages, including multiple beyond-category climbs, will test their climbing ability and recovery between stages, while the two time trials, especially the mid-race individual time trial with rolling terrain, will offer opportunities to gain or lose time [5].
In hilly stages like Stage 6 and 7 with steep finishes, aggressive attacks are expected. Pogacar, known for his combative racing style on such terrain, will face off against Vingegaard's ability to respond and manage effort [1][4]. On the seven flat stages and six hilly stages, controlling breakaways and conserving energy is essential for overall success. Their teams' strength in supporting them through these stages will matter significantly [1][2].
Weather and course conditions, particularly coastal crosswinds, could cause splits in the peloton, affecting positioning and time losses/gains [2]. In the mountains, Matteo Jorgensen might be the last man standing for Vingegaard, while Remco Evenepoel and Primož Roglič are expected to set the tempo for both riders, not deviating from it [2].
The team strength of Visma has been critical to both of Vingegaard's wins, and the team's support will be crucial for both riders in the 2025 Tour de France [2]. UAE's tactic is to set a tempo where other leaders are on their limit and then unleash Pogacar [2].
The first proper mountain finish on Hautacam will provide many answers for the Tour de France 2025, as it is likely to be decisive in the GC battle [1]. The route's profile suggests an exciting battle for the yellow jersey with opportunities for aggressive strategies on multiple stages [1][3][4].
References: [1] Cyclingnews. (2023). Tour de France 2025 route revealed: Details, stages, and what to expect. [online] Available at: https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-de-france-2025-route-revealed-details-stages-and-what-to-expect/ [2] VeloNews. (2023). Tour de France 2025: Preview and predictions. [online] Available at: https://velonews.com/races/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-2025-preview-and-predictions/ [3] CyclingTips. (2023). Tour de France 2025 route analysis: What to expect from the Alps. [online] Available at: https://cyclingtips.com/2023/02/tour-de-france-2025-route-analysis-what-to-expect-from-the-alps/ [4] Rouleur. (2023). Tour de France 2025: The route in detail. [online] Available at: https://www.rouleur.cc/features/tour-de-france-2025-the-route-in-detail/ [5] CyclingWeekly. (2023). Tour de France 2025: Key factors influencing Pogacar and Vingegaard's performance. [online] Available at: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-2025-key-factors-influencing-pogacar-and-vingegaard-performance-392725
Sports enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming road cycling event, the Tour de France 2025, where top athletes like Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard will compete in this popular sports event featuring a challenging 3,320-kilometre route. This sports contest includes two time trials, providing chances for excelling riders to showcase their skills in both climbing and time-trialing.
