"Team UAE Emirates-XRG express astonishment over Tadej Pogacar's latest dominance in the Tour de France, revealing he would have clinched a four-minute victory if not for a crash."
Tadej Pogacar's Dominant Start to the 2025 Tour de France
Tadej Pogacar's dominance in the 2025 Tour de France was on full display during the first Pyrenean stage, marking a decisive turning point in the race.
The Slovenian cyclist, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, won the stage in the Pyrenees, putting two minutes and 10 seconds into Jonas Vingegaard, his closest rival. This performance was a clear demonstration of Pogacar's command in the high mountains.
Pogacar's teammate, Nils Politt, controlled the breakaway, allowing Pogacar to launch a powerful attack about 12.5 km from the summit of the Hautacam climb. This move created large time gaps between Pogacar and his rivals, with Remco Evenepoel finishing 3'35'', Primož Roglič 4'08'', and Vingegaard 2'10''.
Pogacar's victory in the mountain time trial stage to Peyragudes extended his general classification (GC) lead to over four minutes, a significant margin that only increased slightly in the remaining stages. His ability to excel on the tough mountain slopes, particularly in the Pyrenees, reinforced his status as the master climber of the 2025 Tour.
Pogacar's performance during the Pyrenean stages replicated the dominance patterns seen in his prior Tour victories and matched cycling legends like Chris Froome with four Tour wins. His rivals were demoralized, and it became clear that Pogacar was the strongest climber in the race, effectively deciding the Tour’s outcome well before the final stages.
Tadej Pogacar's team manager, Fernández, cautioned that Paris is still far, but Pogacar's dominance in the first Pyrenean stage has significantly increased the likelihood of a fourth Tour de France title for the Slovenian cyclist.
Meanwhile, Jhonatan Narvaez's move helped Pogacar go solo to the finish line. Adam Yates, impressed by Narvaez's performance, remarked that he needed to ride Narvaez's bike to see what was inside it.
Pogacar ascended the Hautacam climb in 35 minutes and 8 seconds, only Bjarne Riis was faster in 1996. Pogacar is currently riding in the rainbow jersey, a testament to his success in the 2024 UCI Road World Championships.
Despite his team's relaxed meeting before the race, Pogacar was reportedly confident before the race, and his teammates, including Wellens, jokingly suggested that if Pogacar had not crashed, he would have won by four minutes.
In summary, Pogacar’s dominance in the first Pyrenean stage was significant because it:
- Marked a decisive, commanding move in the mountains that separated him from his main rivals.
- Helped build a commanding overall lead that secured his fourth Tour de France victory.
- Reinforced his reputation as the best climber and a resilient competitor overcoming adversity.
- Reaffirmed his place among the greatest Tour de France champions historically.
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