The 2025 Tour de France route, unveiled in Paris on Tuesday, promises a challenging course filled with mountains, crosswinds, cobbles, and time trials. However, these obstacles are unlikely to hinder the formidable Tadej Pogacar, who has dominated the cycling scene in 2024, claiming nearly every major title.
Pogacar, who has transformed from a youthful prodigy into a fierce competitor, will return for the Tour’s Grand Départ in Lille on July 5, 2025. The race will conclude with its traditional finish on the Champs-Élysées on July 27, after a one-year hiatus due to the Paris Olympics.
The route includes five summit finishes, a mountain time trial, and a much-anticipated return to Mont Ventoux, a site known for its dramatic moments in Tour history, including a memorable clash between Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard in 2021. Tour director Christian Prudhomme expressed astonishment at Pogacar’s dominance this year, making him the clear favorite on a course that offers a mix of sprint opportunities and challenging uphill finishes.
Starting in Lille, the Tour will navigate the northeastern part of France before heading west toward Brittany. Following a stage finish at Mûr-de-Bretagne, the peloton will face its first mountain finish on Bastille Day at Puy de Sancy. The route continues with three summit finishes in the Pyrenees, culminating in a time trial at the Peyragudes altiport before the ascent of Mont Ventoux.
After the iconic climb, the peloton will travel to Savoie for two more summit finishes at Col de la Loze and La Plagne, setting the stage for another fierce rivalry between Pogacar and his competitors.
While Pogacar seeks to secure his fourth victory, the outlook for Ineos Grenadiers appears less promising. Despite a recent managerial shakeup, the team, owned by Jim Ratcliffe, struggles to find direction and leadership. Tom Pidcock has openly expressed dissatisfaction, raising questions about his future, while veteran Geraint Thomas approaches the final year of his career.
The Tour de France Femmes will commence in Brittany on July 26, featuring nine stages with over 17,000 meters of climbing as it weaves through the French countryside toward the Alps. The race will culminate in three mountain stages, including a decisive summit finish at the 2,000-meter Col de la Madeleine. The final stage will challenge the women’s peloton with a climb over the formidable Col de Joux Plane.
Demi Vollering, who narrowly lost this year’s Tour Femmes to rival Kasia Niewadoma, has signed a lucrative deal with the French team FDJ-Suez. Vollering is expected to enter the race as a strong favorite, having navigated a turbulent season marked by misfortune and team discord. Niewadoma’s thrilling four-second victory at Alpe d’Huez added to the excitement of stage racing history, setting the stage for an intense competition next year.
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