The Unstoppable Force: Tadej Pogacar

Tadej Pogacar, the reigning Tour de France champion, is set to defend his title in Lille this Saturday. At just 26 years old, Pogacar is the strong favorite to win cycling's greatest road race for the fourth time. His dominance was evident in last year's edition, where he won six stages and finished more than six minutes ahead of his closest rival, Jonas Vingegaard.

Pogacar's Recent Form

Pogacar's form in 2025 has been nothing short of spectacular. He secured his 11th win this year at the Criterium du Dauphine, a key indicator of a rider's readiness for the Tour. With three stage wins and a 59-second lead over Vingegaard, Pogacar now boasts 99 career victories in stages, races, and general classifications—a record among active riders.

The Contenders

Jonas Vingegaard

Jonas Vingegaard, the two-time champion, remains Pogacar's most formidable rival. Despite a serious crash at the Itzulia Basque Country last year and a concussion at Paris-Nice in March, Vingegaard has shown promising form, finishing second to Pogacar at the Dauphine. Visma-Lease a Bike, with riders like Simon Yates and Wout van Aert, provides strong support for Vingegaard.

Remco Evenepoel

Belgium's double Olympic champion, Remco Evenepoel, made an impressive debut last year with a third-place finish. However, injuries from a December training accident have affected his form. Evenepoel's time trial abilities are notable, but he finished over four minutes behind Pogacar overall at the Dauphine.

Primoz Roglic

Primoz Roglic, a five-time Grand Tour winner, has a storied rivalry with Pogacar. Despite a crash at this year's Giro, Roglic's experience and pedigree make him a potential threat. Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe may also consider unleashing Florian Lipowitz, who has shown strong performances in 2025.

The Tour de France Jerseys

While the overall victory is the main focus, the Tour de France also awards four prestigious jerseys:

• Yellow Jersey: General classification leader (last year's winner: Tadej Pogacar)
• Green Jersey: Points leader (last year's winner: Biniam Girmay)
• Polka Dot Jersey: King of the Mountains (last year's winner: Richard Carapaz)
• White Jersey: Best young rider under 26 (last year's winner: Remco Evenepoel)

Sprinters and Breakaways

Sprinters like Jasper Philipsen and Biniam Girmay will vie for stage victories, while aggressive riders such as Julian Alaphilippe will seek breakaway opportunities. British team Ineos Grenadiers will aim for stage glory, though Tom Pidcock, now with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, will not participate this year.

Conclusion

As the peloton embarks on 21 grueling stages, including the feared climbs of Hautacam and Mont Ventoux, Pogacar's dominance will be tested. With world-class rivals and challenging terrain, the 2025 Tour de France promises to be an exhilarating battle for cycling supremacy.