Tadej Pogacar opens up on grueling stage 17 of Tour de France: "Not an easy one because..."

As the 2025 Tour de France inches closer to its dramatic finale in Paris, yellow jersey holder Tadej Pogacar continues to navigate the challenges of the prestigious race with focus and resilience. On Wednesday, the Slovenian cyclist completed Stage 17, a rain-soaked and tension-filled ride that ended with sprinter Jonathan Milan claiming victory. But for Pogacar, the day was about staying safe and preparing for what lies ahead.

"Not an easy one because..." – Tadej Pogacar reflects on Stage 17

Despite being labeled a “quiet” day in terms of overall classification drama, Pogacar admitted the 17th stage was anything but comfortable.

“It was a fairly quiet day, but not an easy one, because it was fast and the weather was bad towards the end. I'm glad the stage is over and that we all stayed safe,” said Pogacar after the stage.

The 26-year-old rider and his UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad managed to steer clear of a late crash that disrupted the sprinters’ battle under the final kilometer banner. The incident allowed Milan to snatch his second stage win, but Tadej Pogacar remained firmly in control of the yellow jersey with a 4-minute and 15-second lead over Jonas Vingegaard.

A storm is brewing: Queen stage up next

While Pogacar emerged unscathed from the chaos of Stage 17, he knows the hardest challenges are still to come. Thursday’s "queen stage" features a punishing finish atop Courchevel after ascending the infamous Col de la Loze—a climb that holds bittersweet memories for Pogacar from 2023.

“The goal is to keep the yellow jersey, and nothing else. We can expect Visma | Lease a Bike to try to break away and go all out on every climb,” he warned.

“I’m ready for anything that comes my way. I know the Col de la Loze—it’s a beautiful climb and one of the hardest I’ve ever done. Maybe this side is less grueling than the one we climbed in 2023…” Tadej Pogacar added with a knowing smile.

Despite the looming Alpine battles, the Slovenian remains confident and composed, a hallmark of a true champion. With only a few stages left, Pogacar is on track to secure another Tour de France title—if he can survive the mountains ahead.