When there is no Tadej, there is a Tim ready to give them wings
The Pyrenees farewell had a bit of everything. After Tadej Pogacar's (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) dominance in the previous two stages, the weekend's main stage came in adverse weather conditions and saw the breakaway triumph again, amidst Remco Evenepoel's (Soudal Quick-Step) tearful farewell, Mattias Skjelmose's (Lidl-Trek) dramatic crash , a spectator hit by one of the Ineos Grenadiers cars, and another head-to-head battle between the yellow jersey and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike). In the end, Thymen Arensman (Ineos) won with a 37-kilometer solo, and Pogacar gained another six seconds on the Dane, with Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) finishing on the podium.
“I'm very happy with today [Saturday]. We were close to winning a stage, but Thymen Arensman was really strong and fully deserves this victory. Congratulations to him. We did a good job and can be satisfied with the Pyrenees. We had a great stage, riding at our own pace all day, with an incredible Nils Politt. It was a very difficult day because of the weather and the climbs. Plus, the breakaway only started on the Tourmalet. The first 70 kilometers were very fast. Then, the descents were a bit scary, especially on the Tourmalet. Jonas tried and was very strong. In fact, I expected him to attack a little earlier. Once I managed to hold off both of his attacks, I realized I didn't have the power to counterattack and give my best until the end. So, I chose to control the stage, stay on his wheel, and fight at the end. This is probably the strongest Jonas I've seen in the Pyrenees,” shared the world champion after the race. stage.
"Just like yesterday [Friday], I have to be happy with the way my legs performed. I think it was one of the hardest stages I've ever had. It was a very difficult day for everyone, and this performance makes me happy. We basically had a plan for the stage, with [Sepp] Kuss and [Simon] Yates in the breakaway, looking for the stage win. They couldn't keep up with Arensman in the end, but they did a good job. He had a great performance on the last mountain. Congratulations to him. I expected Tadej to attack on the last climb. When I realized he wasn't going to attack, I decided to attack. To be honest, it was a super tough day, with five hours on the bike," said an increasingly happy Vingegaard.
???? Between Muret and Carcassonne, baroudeurs have a golden opportunity to seize!
???? Entre Muret et Carcassonne les baroudeurs ont une occasion en ou à go out! #TDF2025 pic.twitter.com/8CqJu1xRPU
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 20, 2025
The final stage of the second week served as a transition stage, with the sun and inviting temperatures returning. Starting in Muret and finishing in Carcassonne, after 169.3 kilometers and 2,400 meters of elevation gain, this stage was a stage to watch, even though it was a stage that could be used for another victory for the breakaway. After three mountain passes—one second-category and two third-category climbs until the final 40 kilometers, the peloton faced a long descent and a technical finish, with several curves and narrowings on the approach to the finish line.
This stage got off to a rocky start, as just over 10 kilometers into the race, a massive crash hit the peloton, leaving Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor) clutching his collarbone, knocking Lipowitz down and cutting off Vingegaard. With the second- and third-place finishers cut off, Emirates' sports directors advised Pogacar to slow the peloton's pace, demonstrating another moment of fair play in this Tour de France. Once the setbacks were overcome, the breakaway grew strong again, and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceunick) was fastest in the intermediate sprint . On the final climb, the group split, leaving only Tim Wellens (Emirates), Victor Campenaerts (Visma), Quinn Simmons (Lidl), and Michael Storer (Tudor) in front.
????️ Team radio – @TeamEmiratesUAE
After the fall, @TeamEmiratesUAE team wants to wait for those who have crashed.
After the kick, the team @TeamEmiratesUAE has a temporiser to attend to something that doesn't fall. #TDF2025 pic.twitter.com/YOqAUqpu4z
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 20, 2025
At the start of the descent, Wellens took advantage of the opportunity to attack and isolate himself, reaching the final ten kilometers with a minute and a half lead over the second group. With victory practically in the bag for the Belgian, attacks began to emerge, aiming for a podium finish. Thus, Tim Wellens returned to winning ways 21 days after being crowned national long-distance champion, claiming his 41st career victory and his fifth in Grand Tours, with the distinction of completing the trilogy—he had already won twice in the Giro and twice in the Vuelta. Emirates continues its strong showing, achieving its 65th victory of the season. Victor Campenaerts finished 1.28 minutes behind, and Julian Alaphilippe, who beat Wout van Aert (Visma) in the sprint, 1.36. The peloton reached the finish line in 6:07, without any problems.
IN THE CLUB OF THE ELEGIDOS ????
Tim Wellens shows off in Carcassonne and completes the triptych of victories in Grandes Vueltas.
????????? Carlos Rodríguez earns revenue on the run and cuts time in general.
????♂️ You have seen it on @Eurosport_ES and @StreamMaxES . #TDF2025#TDF2025 pic.twitter.com/wX5n8pMEp9
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) July 20, 2025
Thus, Tadej Pogacar will enter the third week leading the Tour, 4.13 minutes ahead of Jonas Vingegaard and 7.53 minutes ahead of Florian Lipowitz. Oscar Onley (Picnic PostNL) at 9.18, Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) at 10.21, Primoz Roglic (Red Bull) at 10.34, Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) at 12.00, and Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) complete the top eight. Carlos Rodríguez was the big beneficiary of the day, jumping to ninth place, 18.26 behind the yellow jersey. Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) dropped to tenth, 18.41. Jonathan Milan (Lidl) leads the points standings, 28 points ahead of Pogacar, while Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) is in the points standings, eight points ahead of the Slovenian. Lipowitz is the best young driver, and Visma is the best team.
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