As we head into stage 17 of the 2025 Tour de France, it’s clear that one man has stamped his authority all over the race: Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian superstar, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, has turned the Pyrenees into his personal playground, winning four stages and pulling out a commanding GC lead of 4:13 over defending champion Jonas Vingegaard.
The race began in Lille with a punchy northern trio of stages, before an early time trial in Caen gave Remco Evenepoel his moment in the sun—only for Pogačar to wrest the yellow jersey back two days later with a blistering win in Rouen. From there, it’s been a masterclass in mountain domination. Stage 12’s victory on Hautacam was the beginning of a brutal stretch, and by the time he crushed the mountain ITT to Peyragudes on stage 13, the writing was on the wall for his rivals.
Still, there’s been no shortage of drama or brilliance from others. Thymen Arensman gave Ineos Grenadiers a much-needed win atop Luchon-Superbagnères. Tim Wellens added another chapter to his Grand Tour legacy with a solo victory in Carcassonne. And French fans had reason to celebrate as Valentin Paret-Peintre triumphed on the mythical Mont Ventoux in stage 16.
Sprinters like Tim Merlier and Jonathan Milan have taken their chances well, while Mathieu van der Poel has been a constant attacking threat. But despite the breakaways, crashes, and GC shuffles, the story of this Tour has been the same: Pogačar is in another league.
With summit finishes at Courchevel and La Plagne still to come, plus stage 21 in Paris, there’s still racing left. But barring a disaster, the 2025 Tour de France looks set to crown its yellow-clad king once again.
My Goat Sports 