Tour de France 2025 - Stage 19: Albertville to La Plagne

Thymen Arensman is the winner of the sprint 19th stage of the Tour de France with a finish climb on La Plagne. Tadej Pogačar (3rd place) was once again exceptionally strong. Although Jonas Vingegaard (2nd place) took two bonus seconds from him, the overall victory is almost already secured.

Published on 7/25/2025 by Johnny

Stage Shortened to 93 km Due to Animal Disease in the Alps

Instead of the planned 130 km mountain stage in the Alps, the organizers decided to shorten the route to 93 km due to an outbreak of a contagious disease affecting cattle in the Savoie Alps. The battle for the stage victory ignited 14 km before the finish, when Tadej Pogačar attacked on the climb to La Plagne. His move was initially covered only by Jonas Vingegaard, followed shortly by Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers), who then launched a solo attack and rode to victory — his second stage win in this year’s Tour. It came down to just two seconds, as the trio of Pogačar, Vingegaard, and Lipowitz closed in, while Oscar Onley lost contact.

2️⃣ WINS FOR THYMEN ARENSMAN ON THE #TDF2025 🏆

🇳🇱 Thymen Arensman wins atop La Plage 🏔️@Continental_fr pic.twitter.com/kCnwu1Q2zr
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 25, 2025

Roglič’s Breakaway Without Success

Just like yesterday, Primož Roglič launched an early attack, likely his last chance to claim a stage win. He was joined by French riders Lenny Martinez and Aurelien Paret Peintre, and the trio held over a minute’s lead after the descent from Col de Roseland. For the next 20 km, Roglič rode alone, but, as on Thursday, the effort was in vain. The group with the yellow jersey caught him 21 km before the finish, just ahead of the final climb to La Plagne. Roglič was unable to keep up with the favorites afterward, losing over nine minutes and dropping out of the top five overall.

1,300 Meters Less Elevation than Planned

The original plan from Albertville to La Plagne included 130 km with 4,550 meters of climbing, but the route was altered to bypass Col des Saisies. The peloton rejoined the original route at the 52 km mark, where the HC climb of Col du Pré (12.6 km/7.7%) began. In just 93 km of racing, riders still faced 3,230 meters of climbing, including the 2nd-category Col du Cormet de Roselend (5.9 km/6.3%) and the final HC climb to La Plagne (19.1 km/7.2%). This shortened stage reduced the chance for Visma Lease a Bike and Vingegaard to attempt a decisive attack on leader Pogačar.

Why the Shortened Route?

In the cattle herds around Col des Saisies, an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis forced authorities to cull infected animals. “Considering the distress of the affected farmers and to ensure the smooth continuation of the race, it was decided in coordination with the relevant authorities to modify the 19th stage (Albertville–La Plagne) and avoid the climb to Col des Saisies,” ASO announced late Thursday.