As the 2025 Tour de France enters its final week, riders have already battled through over 2,000 kilometers of punishing terrain. With six decisive stages remaining before the grand finale in Paris on Sunday, July 27, the spotlight remains on dominant leader Tadej Pogacar, while several compelling storylines continue to unfold in the world’s most prestigious cycling race.
Pogacar’s inevitable march — but with a twist
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), already a three-time Tour de France champion, has been in imperious form throughout this edition. Holding a commanding lead of 4 minutes and 13 seconds over his chief rival Jonas Vingegaard, the Slovenian appears poised for his fourth overall victory.
Yet, the final week brings a psychological challenge for Pogacar as he prepares to confront three climbs that previously exposed his weaknesses—Hautacam, Mont Ventoux, and Col de la Loze. While he’s already conquered Hautacam this year, Pogacar acknowledged,
“I will not say that I’m looking for revenge or something, I just want to have better legs than those two days in the past.”
Victory on these climbs would not just affirm his dominance but also erase lingering ghosts from past Tours.
A young riders’ battle for the podium
While the yellow and second-place jerseys seem sealed, the fight for the final podium spot remains fierce. With last year’s third-place finisher Remco Evenepoel out of the race, a new trio—Florian Lipowitz, Oscar Onley, and Kevin Vauquelin—has emerged.
All three are eligible for the white jersey, and with less than two minutes separating them, their performances in the high Alps could define their careers. Meanwhile, veteran Primoz Rogliz remains a threat, just seconds behind the group.
Green jersey race defies tradition
Uncharacteristically, this year’s points classification battle may not go to a sprinter. Current green jersey holder Jonathan Milan faces stiff competition from Tadej Pogacar and all-rounder Mathieu van der Poel.
With mountainous stages limiting Milan’s sprinting edge, and the reworked final stage in Paris suiting punchy climbers, this classification could swing dramatically in the final days.
Last chances for stage glory
Not every team competes for overall standings—some chase stage wins to define their Tour. For many squads still without a victory, only six stages remain to break through.
As big names like Wout van Aert and Sepp Kuss target glory for their teams, the breakaway battles will be fiercer than ever. Every day now carries extra weight, especially for smaller-budget teams hoping to salvage something memorable.
With the Champs-Elysees in sight, the 2025 Tour is far from over. From legacy-defining climbs to breakout performances, the final week promises tension, triumph, and possibly a few surprises.