The Pyrenees as a peace judgment. The organizers of the Tour may find everywhere in the French plains, in Boulogne, Rouen or Toulouse, small bumps to spice up the final of the stages, they have found nothing better than the high Alpine and Pyrenean massifs to designate their winner.
This Wednesday, the end of the race was spicy in the pink city, by the Pech-David coast, 8 km from the finish. But at the end of this agitated stage, won by the Norwegian warrior Jonas Abrahamsen, the Tour favorites were neutralized. Even the fall of the title holder and big favorite Tadej Pogacar, 6 km from the finish, has not changed the situation. The real explanation will be from tomorrow, at the pedal, in the passes of the Pyrenees.
Where the Tour, 115 years ago, began to build its legend, to forge its winners. In 1910, the Tourmalet stood for the first time on the road to bitumen convicts. We haven’t found better since.
During this 2025 edition, we were certainly not bored after the first 11 nerve stages, often spectacular. But the winners of the last 5 laps, Tadej Pogacar (2020, 2021, 2024) and Jonas Vingegaard (2022, 2023), did not really let go. The Slovenian is well 1’17 ″ ahead of the Danish, thanks to a better-managed time trial in Caen, and bonuses at arrivals in Rouen and Mûr-de-Bretagne. Nothing unacceptable.
Does the fall of Pogacar rebuild the cards?
Vingegaard has already proven, in 2022 and 2023, that he could make Pogi suffer in long climbs, after sequences of passes. And this 2025 Pogacar seems more nervous than usual. He tripped this Thursday. “We’re going to see how I’m tomorrow.” The day after a fall, we are not always at best … “, recognized the world champion.
Vingegaard dreams of catching up on a course to his measure. The menu looks hearty. Thursday, a 180 km appetizer enters Auch and Hautacam, via the Col du Soulor, with a first arrival at the top in the Hautes-Pyrénées. Friday, an explosive time trial of 10.9 km between Loudenvielle and Peyragudes. No teammates, no strategy, it will each be for their skin, thoroughly, in the climb to the Altiport.
If things are not yet clear enough, the resistance dish, the chief’s surprise, it is for Saturday: 182 km between Pau and Luchon-Superbagnères, with the delirious sequence of the Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde passes to the terrible climb to Superbagnères. Where, facing Greg Lemond, Bernard Hinault lost his 6th big loop in 1986. Where the fate of a Tour de France can tip over.