Tour de France: the six stages you absolutely must not miss this year

Where: stage between Lauwin Planque and Boulogne-sur-Mer (209 km) When: Sunday July 6

Why: in the Northern triptych , you absolutely must not miss the second stage and the finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer the day after an opening day reserved for sprinters. No cobblestones on the program, a rather flat and calm first part before a hilly second half of the course in gloomy weather . You will have to prepare for a fireworks display from the punchers with three final climbs that will cause damage. Christian Prudhomme, the director of the Tour, presents: " We are not going to climb the Galibier or the Tourmalet in the North, the Pas-de-Calais but the finish in Boulogne will be after three very steep climbs in the last ten kilometers. These are climbs that are about a kilometer long with gradients of 10-12%, sometimes 15%." An explosive finale.

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Who will win: We're betting on Wout van Aert, the off-road rider from the Visma Lease a Bike team, who will brilliantly respond to the first flags in this edition of Tadej Pogacar.

Where: between Bayeux and Vire Normandie (201.5 km) When: Wednesday, July 9 Why: a Normandy route with an Alpine twist! Over 201.5 km, the peloton will have to swallow 3,500 meters of positive elevation gain through the Bessin, Swiss Normandy, and the bocage. It will therefore be necessary to be very strong, especially in the last of the six difficulties of the day, the Vaudry hill (1.2 km at 7.2%). A short and brutal passage, just like the best adventurers like.

Who will win: The day before, Olympic time trial champion Remco Evenepoel will undoubtedly have everyone agreeing on the Caen time trial. Tadej Pogacar will get his revenge. The Slovenian is too playful not to try his luck on the rough terrain.

Where: between Ennezat and Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy (165.3 km) When: Monday, July 14

Why: After a hectic first week, the first mountainous encounter of this edition will take place on July 14th. A tough menu for the peloton, which will have a well-deserved day of recovery the next day. Eight climbs, including seven category two (a record for the event), and 4,500 meters of elevation gain. The favorites will be keen to make their mark in the enchanting setting of the Puy-de-Dôme region before tackling the formidable Pyrenees.

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Who will win: Young Lenny Martinez (21 years old) has marked this national holiday in his diary, but Tadej Pogacar will undoubtedly be feeling the urge for this first mountain test, a chance to test the competition's fitness before the high mountains. So, we're betting on the Slovenian.

Where: between Montpellier and Mont Ventoux (171.5 km) When: Tuesday, July 22

Why: The unmissable and magical Mont Ventoux. A Tour de France classic, with its 15.7 km climb at an average gradient of 8.8% to reach the Observatory, under the sun and through a treeless lunar landscape. Every rider dreams of adding the Giant of Provence, culminating at 1,910 m, to their list of achievements. This stage comes after a rest day, and it's sometimes difficult to get going again after this break.

Who will win: the ideal stage for a duel between Pogacar and Vingegaard, obviously. We remember that in 2021, when Mont Ventoux was climbed twice, the Slovenian was distanced by the Dane before making up the deficit in the descent (Wout van Aert won), but the two men will neutralize each other this time while waiting for the queen stage two days later towards the Col de la Loze. The lightweight Lenny Martinez (1.68 m and 52 kilos) will take his revenge and win, offering the most beautiful line of his record.

Where: between Vif and Courchevel-Col de la Loze (171.5 km) When: Thursday, July 24

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Why: What an explosive entry into the Alps with this queen stage of the 2025 edition. Col du Glandon followed by the Col de la Madeleine before the climb to Courchevel and the Col de la Loze. A mind-boggling program of 5,450 meters of elevation gain and 70 km of climbing. The Tour de France, if not decided before this day, will likely find its winner on the slopes leading to Courchevel.

Who will win: Jonas Vingegaard. The Visma Lease a Bike team could make a big splash on this grueling day. Two years ago, Pogacar collapsed on the final climb, losing six minutes to the yellow jersey. The slopes are tough and could once again suit the leader of the Dutch team.

Where: between Mantes-la-Ville and Paris (132.3 km) When: Saturday, July 27

Why: The Tour de France will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the finish on the Champs-Élysées this year. A somewhat unusual celebration, as the route will repeat part of the Olympic course, climbing the Butte Montmartre three times. A program that has divided the peloton , with some, like Jonas Vingegaard and Wout van Aert, believing that this detour will add unnecessary stress. The sprinters have cause for concern, as the final climb in the north of the capital is only six kilometers from the finish. There will be attacks from all directions.

Who will win: Julian Alaphilippe. If he manages to keep some energy after crossing the Alps, the French favorite could break the bank and give the crowd a fabulous finale by attacking late. Given the risk of crashes on narrow roads, the peloton should remain calm for a while on the streets of Paris before the punchers try to break the lock put in place by the sprint teams.