Evenepoel Claims Stage 5 Win and Moves Into Second Overall
Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel delivered a commanding performance in Stage 5 of the 2025 Tour de France, winning the individual time trial held in Caen, Normandy. The reigning World and Belgian National Time Trial Champion completed the 33-kilometer flat course with an average speed of 54 km/h, moving into second place overall and earning the white jersey as the best young rider.
Historic Setting and Challenging Conditions
Stage 5 marked a return to Caen, which first hosted the Tour in 1905. Riders faced stiff headwinds in the early part of the course, making aerodynamic efficiency and pacing essential. Despite the conditions, Evenepoel—one of the few cyclists to win time trials in all three Grand Tours—completed the route in 36 minutes and 42 seconds, recording the fastest time of the day.
Soudal Quick-Step Secures Another Tour Stage Win
Evenepoel’s victory delivered Soudal Quick-Step’s 53rd career Tour de France stage win, reinforcing the team’s strength in the race’s first week. The result also marked his ninth career Grand Tour stage win, highlighting his consistency and dominance in the time trial discipline.
Post-Race Reaction: Focused Execution and Confidence
Speaking after the stage, Evenepoel described how he maintained a steady pace and increased his effort on the uphill sections to maximize his gains:
You never know what can happen in a time trial, but I was incredibly motivated today. I knew I had a formidable bike and a good chance to take the victory, and fortunately, the legs were there and everything went as planned from start to finish. I am happy with this result and with our team’s second success of the week, as it makes us more relaxed.
I pushed a steady tempo, a bit harder on the uphill parts, and in the end, I kept the same pace I had in the opening kilometers and continued to gain time on the others. I am content with the way I paced myself and with moving up on the overall standings of the race. It was an important chance for me to gain time on the others and the fact I did it gives me a lot of confidence.
General Classification Shifts After Stage 5
Evenepoel’s win reshaped the general classification, putting him in second overall and giving him control of the best young rider classification. With two stage wins already for his team and growing momentum, the Belgian enters the next mountain stages as a key contender for the yellow jersey.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri /Getty Images
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