Under pouring rain, the final stage of the Tour de France 2025 offered a legendary scenario. Indeed, this race was worthy of the greatest legends of cycling. On this Sunday, July 27, Paris vibrated with the masterful victory of Wout van Aert on the Champs-Elysées, while Tadej Pogacar definitively entered history by winning his fourth Tour. A look back at an unforgettable day.
A thrilling finale on the Parisian cobblestones
The peloton, having started from Mantes-la-Ville, first experienced a festive parade filled with laughter and champagne. However, as they approached Paris, the weather changed everything. Thus, the organizers froze the times 50 km from the finish, securing the general classification but opening the door wide for a spectacular finale for the day’s stage.
Van Aert and Pogacar, unprecedented duel at Montmartre
The final stage innovated by including three ascents of the Montmartre hill. An ideal terrain for punchers and attackers. Julian Alaphilippe was the first to shake up the race. But it was indeed the duel between Tadej Pogacar and Wout van Aert that left a mark.
In the final climb, Van Aert dropped Pogacar in the rain, claiming his tenth stage victory on the Tour solo. Four years after his first Parisian success, the Belgian offers a long-awaited victory to Visma-Lease a Bike, a team marked by withdrawals in the Pyrenean stages and around Toulouse.
Tadej Pogacar definitively enters the legend
With this fourth title in the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar joins Christopher Froome in the record books. The Slovenian is approaching the mythical Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain, and Eddy Merckx.
Thus, Pogacar triumphs with a 4 min 24 s lead over the Dane Jonas Vingegaard. The German Florian Lipowitz completes the podium, also clinching the white jersey for the best young rider. Pogacar also claims the polka dot jersey, confirming exceptional versatility.
The Slovenian winner shared after the finish: “This Tour has a special flavor. The whole team worked tirelessly. This atmosphere carried me all the way to Paris.”
The French shine, Paris celebrates its heroes
Two Frenchmen finish in the top 10 of the general classification. Kévin Vauquelin (7th) and Jordan Jegat (10th) rekindled popular enthusiasm. Despite the rain, the thousands of spectators gathered on rue Lepic and on the cobblestones intensely experienced today’s stage.
This last day, with a profile worthy of a spring classic, left a mark with its dramatic intensity. The American Quinn Simmons, proposing to his partner on the Champs-Elysées, added a memorable human touch to this exceptional day.
Unprecedented route, record broken
The 21st stage of the 2025 Tour marked a break with tradition. Three laps of the Champs-Elysées alternated with three loops towards Montmartre. This strategic innovation avoided the traditional mass sprint.
Furthermore, Pogacar sets a record, completing the Tour at an average speed of 42.849 km/h, surpassing the one set by Jonas Vingegaard in 2022.
Rankings and distinctions
In the final standings, Pogacar leads Vingegaard and Lipowitz. The Italian Jonathan Milan wins the green jersey. The team Visma-Lease a Bike clinches the team classification, despite a tumultuous Tour marked notably by the challenging stages near Caen and during stage 8.
Finally, the Irishman Ben Healy is crowned the most combative, rewarded for his boldness and relentless attacks.
Pogacar, what future for the champion?
Will Tadej Pogacar return in 2026 to match the legends of the Tour? He leaves the question open while mentioning new challenges, notably the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The 112th edition of the Tour de France will be remembered for its courage, renewal, and emotion. Cyclists and the public together experienced an unforgettable sporting adventure, now etched in legend.