Will Tadej Pogacar be able to protect his yellow jersey during stage 18 of the Tour de France, a demanding climb that previously cost him the race in 2023?
2025 Tour de France: Pogacar and Vingegaard Face Off on the Col de la Loze
The highly anticipated showdown between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard in the 2025 Tour de France took place on Stage 18, a grueling queen stage that culminated atop the Col de la Loze.
The 171.5km route included three Hors Categorie climbs – the Col du Glandon, Col de la Madeleine, and the Col de la Loze – and a summit finish on the latter. With a total elevation gain of 5,450m, the stage presented a critical test for the competitors.
The day began with a fierce onslaught by Vingegaard and his Visma-Lease a Bike team, aiming to chip away at Pogacar's lead during the Mont Ventoux stage. However, Pogacar managed to hold on, maintaining his advantage of 4 minutes and 15 seconds going into Stage 18.
The stage's decisive moment came 16km from the finish on the Col de la Loze, where Ben O'Connor launched a solo attack that no one could match. Pogacar chased valiantly but was unable to catch O'Connor, who crossed the finish line first, 1 minute 45 seconds ahead of Pogacar. Vingegaard followed closely behind, losing 11 seconds to Pogacar, including time bonuses.
This outcome meant that on this key mountain stage on Col de la Loze, Vingegaard was not able to defeat Pogacar; instead, Pogacar finished slightly ahead of him. The stage victory and the Souvenir Henri Desgrange were prizes that eluded both rivals.
Pogacar's strong performance in Stage 18 did not significantly alter his overall lead. He finished the stage in second place but maintained his advantage, heading into the race's final mountain stage to La Plagne with a lead of 4 minutes and 26 seconds.
Vingegaard, who has stated that he is prepared to sacrifice his second-place overall to try and take the yellow jersey, will have another opportunity to challenge Pogacar in the final stages of the race.
The weather could potentially play a role in the final stages, with forecasts predicting worsening conditions late on Thursday afternoon. In the past, weather conditions have been a factor on the Col de la Loze, causing riders to struggle.
The 2025 Tour de France is being broadcast in various countries, including the UK on ITV4/ITVX, TNT Sports/Discovery in the US, Flobikes in Canada, and SBS/SBS On Demand in Australia. One of the sprint points in Stage 18 is Rioupėroux, located at km. 23.7.
This year's Tour de France continues to deliver thrilling competition, with Pogacar and Vingegaard's rivalry providing a captivating narrative. As the race enters its final stages, the question remains: who will emerge victorious in the battle for the yellow jersey?
Sports enthusiasts worldwide watched as Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, two renowned cyclists, contended in the sports event of the 2025 Tour de France. Despite Vingegaard's ambitious attempt to gain ground on Pogacar during Stage 18, it was sportsman Pogacar who slightly outpaced Vingegaard in the critical mountain stage on Col de la Loze.
