2025 Tour de France – Final Week Recap
Pogacar Seals Fourth Title as Big Names Shine in Alps and Paris
The final week of the 2025 Tour de France delivered unforgettable moments, from decisive mountain attacks to a dramatic Champs-Élysées finale. As the race moved through the Alps and toward Paris, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) cemented his dominance, securing his fourth Tour de France title. Stage wins by French, Belgian, Australian, and Italian stars added even more excitement to the closing days of the race.
Stage 16 – Montpellier to Mont Ventoux (171.5 km)
Winner: Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal- Quick-Step)
Stage 16 brought the return of Mont Ventoux, and it was French rider Valentin Paret-Peintre who rose to the occasion. After a day in the breakaway, he launched a decisive attack near the summit and held off Ben Healy for an emotional victory. Tadej Pogačar extended his lead slightly over Jonas Vingegaard, defending yellow with confidence.
Stage 17 – Bollène to Valence (160.4 km)
Winner: Jonathan Milan (Lidl–Trek)
Stage 17 was built for the sprinters, and Jonathan Milan made the most of it. The Italian fastman surged to victory in Valence, capitalizing on a textbook leadout by his Lidl–Trek teammates. The GC remained unchanged as the favorites enjoyed a day of relative calm before the Alpine onslaught.
Stage 18 – Vif to Courchevel (171.5 km)
Winner: Ben O’Connor (Team Jayco Alula)
Australia’s Ben O’Connor lit up Stage 18 with a bold move on the final climb to Courchevel. Riding solo from the breakaway, he held on for a hard-earned stage win in one of the Tour’s most grueling mountain stages. Pogačar controlled the race from behind, staying focused on yellow as Vingegaard’s attacks fell short.
Stage 19 – Albertville to La Plagne (139 km)
Winner: Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers)
Thymen Arensman surprised many by claiming Stage 19 in a high-altitude battle to La Plagne. Pogačar once again stayed glued to his rivals’ wheels, protecting his GC lead heading into the final weekend.
Stage 20 – Nantua to Pontarlier (184.2 km)
Winner: Kaden Groves (Alpecin–Deceuninck)
Stage 20 favored the breakaway, and Kaden Groves delivered (Alpecin–Deceuninck) with a solo win in Pontarlier. The Australian sprinter outlasted the peloton and breakaway companions, adding a Tour de France victory to his growing resume. With no major GC shifts, Pogačar remained comfortably in yellow.
Stage 21 – Mantes-la-Ville to Paris (Champs-Élysées – 176 km)
Winner: Wout van Aert (Visma–Lease a Bike)
The final stage into Paris took a dramatic turn as heavy rain forced a shortened format. In a rare Champs-Élysées solo, Wout van Aert attacked late and held off the sprinters for a memorable win. Tadej Pogačar celebrated his fourth Tour de France title, capping a dominant performance that also earned him the mountains jersey and multiple stage wins.
Final Classification Highlights – 2025 Tour de France
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Yellow Jersey (Overall Winner): Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
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Second Overall: Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike)
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Third Overall: Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe)
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Green Jersey (Points): Jonathan Milan (Lidl–Trek)
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Polka Dot Jersey (KOM): Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
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White Jersey (Best Young Rider): Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe)
Photo Credit – ©Soudal Quick-Step – ©Dario Belingheri /Getty Images