Tour de France 2025 - Stage 20: Nantua to Pontarlier
Pogačar Calm Ahead of Final Stages of the Tour
Despite the challenging terrain and unpredictable weather, there was no significant action among the general classification contenders. The race leader in the yellow jersey, Tadej Pogačar, spent a calm day alongside Jonas Vingegaard, who currently wears the polka dot jersey as the best climber.
The only change among the top riders was Jordan Jegat moving into 10th place overall, pushing Ben O'Connor out of the top ten.
A Battle to Form the Breakaway
The stage, which included four categorized climbs (the toughest being the 2nd category Côte de Thesy), began at 12:15, with the fastest riders expected to finish in Pontarlier around 16:20. Several riders attempted early attacks, but it took over 50 km before the peloton allowed a 13-rider breakaway to form.
Among them, Jordan Jegat was the highest in the general classification, joined by Tim Wellens (UAE) and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma). Matej Mohorič failed to bridge to the breakaway.
Crashes and Attacks
On the day’s toughest climb, Côte de Thesy (2nd category; 3.6 km/8.9%), the breakaway splintered while new groups attacked from the peloton. Jegat attempted an attack but was caught and dropped by Harry Sweeny (EF Education EasyPost). On the final categorized climb, 26 km from the finish, a group of nine riders caught Sweeny during a heavy downpour.
On the slippery descent, Spanish champion Ivan Romeo crashed heavily into a curb, and local hopeful Romain Gregoire also fell but was able to continue.
With 17 km to go, Kaden Groves dropped Jake Stewart and Frank van den Broek. Could the Australian sprinter claim a stage win in the rain, joining the club of riders who have victories in all three Grand Tours?
🏆 🇦🇺 Kaden Groves wins in Pontarlier!
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 26, 2025
🏆 🇦🇺 Kaden Groves s'impose à Pontarlier !#TDF2025 | @Continental_fr pic.twitter.com/YRcwcjkuBR
Pogačar on Course for a Fourth Tour Victory
It is clear that the winner of the 112th Tour de France will be Tadej Pogačar. Even in the Alps, he was in full control, and his yellow jersey was never in danger. He holds a commanding 4:24 lead over second-placed Jonas Vingegaard, and only major misfortune could prevent him from celebrating in Paris. Tomorrow, there will be no classic parade of champions but rather a challenging stage with three ascents of Montmartre, where Pogačar could add another stage win to his tally.
“I don’t feel particularly full of energy to think about Sunday. It’s going to be a chaotic and demanding course. We’ll see how it unfolds; Saturday’s stage is more important,” said Pogačar, who is eager to see the end of the three-week marathon. “They’ve attacked me from day one, and I’m sure they’ll try again on Saturday and Sunday. I’ll try to fend off every attack that comes. Just two more days to go.”
