Our continuing coverage of the other big event going on this month.
| Stage | Date | Start > Finish | Type | Distance (km) | Distance (mi) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Tue 07/08 | Amiens > Rouen | Hilly | 174.2 | 108.2 | Tadej Pogacar (UAE) |
Tour de France 2025: Stage 4 Recap
Pogacar’s Milestone Victory in Rouen
Stage 4 of the 2025 Tour de France, a 174.2-kilometer hilly journey from Amiens to Rouen, delivered a thrilling showdown that showcased the raw power of the peloton’s top contenders. The undulating Normandy terrain, punctuated by five categorized climbs in the final 50 kilometers, set the stage for an explosive finish.
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) seized the day, launching a ferocious attack on the brutal Rampe Saint-Hilaire (800m at 10.6%) and outpacing Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) in a gripping uphill sprint to claim his 100th career victory and 18th Tour stage win. The stage began with a breakaway featuring Kasper Asgreen, Lenny Martinez, and Jonas Abrahamsen, but the peloton, led by Alpecin-Deceuninck, kept them in check. As the climbs intensified, Visma-Lease a Bike and UAE Emirates-XRG drove the pace, whittling down the field. Pogacar’s decisive move on the final climb saw only Vingegaard briefly match him, while van der Poel clawed back to set up a dramatic sprint.
Despite Poga?ar’s win, Matthew van der Poel retained the yellow jersey by a slim margin, with Poga?ar level on time. Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) claimed the green jersey, Poga?ar took the polka-dot jersey, and Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) held the white jersey. Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) earned the combativity award for his bold efforts. This stage, honoring Rouen’s cycling legend Jacques Anquetil, underscored Poga?ar’s relentless form and set the tone for a fiercely contested general classification battle as the Tour heads to the Caen time trial.
| Stage | Date | Yellow Jersey | Green Jersey | Polka Dot Jersey | White Jersey | Combativity Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat 07/05 | Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) | Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) | Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis) | Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) | Mattéo Vercher (TotalEnergies) |
| 2 | Sun 07/06 | Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) | Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) | Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis) | Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) | Brent van Moer (Lotto Dstny) |
| 3 | Mon 07/07 | Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) | Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) | Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis) | Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) | Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) |
| 4 | Tue 07/08 | Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) | Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) | Tadej Poga?ar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) | Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) | Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) |
In the Tour de France, the colored jerseys and awards represent distinct classifications that highlight different rider achievements. Here’s what each means:
- Yellow Jersey (Maillot Jaune): Worn by the rider with the lowest overall time in the general classification (GC), essentially the race leader. It’s the most prestigious jersey, symbolizing the frontrunner to win the entire Tour.
- Green Jersey (Maillot Vert): Awarded to the leader of the points classification, earned through stage finishes and intermediate sprints. It typically goes to sprinters who excel in flat stages and accumulate points for high placings.
- Polka Dot Jersey (Maillot à Pois): Given to the leader of the mountains classification, awarded based on points earned at the summits of categorized climbs. It recognizes the best climber, adept at conquering the Tour’s toughest ascents.
- White Jersey (Maillot Blanc): Worn by the best young rider (under 26 years old) with the lowest overall time in the GC. It highlights emerging talent in the race.
- Combativity Award: Given daily to the rider who displays the most aggressive or spirited effort, such as leading breakaways or attacking relentlessly, as voted by a jury. The overall most combative rider across the Tour receives a special award at the end.