UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Tadej Pogačar well-placed heading into week 2 of the Tour de France

 

 

As the peloton comes to a stop for the first rest day of the 2025 Tour de France, UAE Team Emirates-XRG can reflect with pride on a turbulent but successful start. From punchy climbs to time trials and crosswinds, the team has navigated every challenge with strength and cohesion, and with Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogačar in a strong position in the general classification, they stand firmly in control.

 

The race opened with a rare opportunity for the sprinters to claim the Maillot Jaune. Jasper Philipsen seized the moment on Stage 1, whilst Pogačar stayed safe in the bunch. Stage 2 brought the first test for the punchuers: atop the savage final ramp to Boulogne-sur-Mer, Mathieu Van der Poel out-sprinted Pogačar to take both the stage and the leader's jersey

 

After a transitional Stage 3, the stage was set for a dramatic showdown on Stage 4. With 99 pro wins to his name, Pogačar had one goal in mind. As the pace ramped up, it was Narvaez and Almeida who worked tirelessly to thin out the peloton before Pogačar made his move. A devastating attack was launched. Only Vingegaard could match. It would briefly regroup on the descent, and with Almeida's help, it boiled down to a decisive sprint. Pogačar surged away to take his 100th professional win, and with it – the yellow jersey.

 

With Stage 5 came the first true GC test. A 33KM individual time trial. All eyes were on cycling's big three – Pogačar, Evenepoel, and Vingegaard. Evenepoel was the favourite and lived up to the billing, setting a blistering time. But Pogačar was just seconds behind the first split and ultimately finished second, just 16" down. More importantly, he took over a minute on two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard, delivering an early blow in the battle for yellow.

 

Stage 6 offered brief respite as the breakaway took the spoils, with Irishman Ben Healy claiming a memorable first Tour de France win. On Stage 7, it was back to the hills with a brutal uphill finish at Mur-de-Bretagne. Narvaez once again delivered a textbook lead-out, and Pogačar powered his way to his second stage win of the race. But the day would end with bad news for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, as Joao Almeida, a key mountain lieutenant, crashed heavily and was forced to abandon.

 

As the weekend approached, the sprinters reclaimed the spotlight. With the GC riders staying safely out of the way, Italian powerhouse Jonathan Milan and European Champion Tim Merlier each took a win on Stages 8 and 9, respectively.

 

Stage 10 fell on Bastille Day, a highlight of every Tour de France, with French riders eager to seize the spotlight. Julian Alaphilippe kicked off the attacks at KM 0, forming part of a 10-man breakaway that built a gap of over 5 minutes. With no GC threats up the road, UAE Team Emirates-XRG managed the day calmly, while Visma Lease-a-Bike looked to disrupt the race behind. As Simon Yates took the stage win and Irishman Ben Healy gained enough time to claim the Yellow Jersey from the breakaway, the GC fight sparked into life. Matteo Jorgensen drove the pace, but Pogačar shut down ever move with his typical composure, countering with force and dropping all but Vingegaard – the pair once again inseparable at the finish.

 

With 10 stages down and the punishing mountains of France still to come, UAE Team Emirates-XRG enter the second week of the 2025 Tour de France well place and full of momentum – ready to resume the fight for the Maillot Jaune.