Route Highlights, Contenders & More

Introduction

The Tour de France, cycling’s most prestigious race, returns for its 112^th edition from 5–27 July 2025. The three-week epic features 21 stages, combining thrilling sprints, decisive time trials, and iconic mountain ascents. With a starting peloton of 184 riders over 23 teams (18 World Tour and 5 Wildcards), there is always action happening.

Where to watch:

• Germany: Live and free coverage on ARD & ZDF; highlights available on ZDFmediathek.
• Elsewhere: France (France Télévisions), UK (ITV/ITVX), USA (Peacock/NBC), Canada (FloBikes), Australia (SBS On Demand).

Race Route

The 2025 Tour is the first in five years to take place entirely within France. Covering 3,320 km with a massive 51,550 m of elevation gain, it promises intense racing and drama throughout, but our pick for the must-watch days:

• Grand Depart - Lille (Stage 1): The flat 185 km first stage has points on offer for all categories and riders will be keen to set-the-tone and grab first jerseys.
• Bayeux - Vire Normandie (Stage 6): One day after the first TT, this hilly 201 km stage looks prime for big climbs and lots of break-aways.
• Ennezat - Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy (Stage 10): Bastille Day is set to be one to remember with the 165 km first mountain day and 37 KOM points on offer.
• Pyrenean Triple (Stages 12–14): Races are often won or lost in the mountains and these three days are big with summit finishes at Hautacam, Peyragudes and Luchon-Superbagnères.
• Mountain Time Trial (Stage 13): An 11 km uphill ITT from Loudenvielle to Peyragudes, could be the decisive day to establish a commanding lead.
• Mont Ventoux (Stage 16): The legendary climb returns as a summit finish for the first time since 2016 and there will be fierce competition to join the infamous alumni of past winners of this climbing stage.
• Queen Stage – Col de la Loze (Stage 18): 3 monstrous climbs via Courchevel, accumulating 5,500 m of ascent and finishing 2,304m above sea level.
• Paris Finale (Stage 21): Three challenging climbs of Montmartre before the iconic Champs-Élysées circuits, excluded last year due to 2024 Paris Olympics.

Special Features for 2025

No Intermediate Time Bonuses: Bonuses (10/6/4 sec) awarded only at stage finishes.

Rest Days: Second Tuesday (allowing racing on Bastille Day, 14 July) and third Monday.

Sustainability Initiative: ASO introduces electric neutral-service vehicles and carbon-offset programmes.

Classification Rules & Jerseys

In case this is your first Tour de France, here are the awards on offer:

• Yellow Jersey (GC): Rider with lowest cumulative time.
• Green Jersey (Points): Points for stage finishes and intermediate sprints.
• Polka-Dot Jersey (KOM): Points awarded on categorised climbs, higher points for tougher ascents.
• White Jersey (Best Young Rider): Best GC rider under age 25.
• Team Classification: Based on combined times of the best three riders per team per stage.

Yellow Jersey Contenders

The stages are set for a GC war between Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard. As well as physical and mental strength, both riders will need strong tactics and teamwork to end the tour in yellow.

Pogačar vs Vingegaard

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG, 26), the three-time Tour champion (2020, ’21, ’24), looks virtually unstoppable after dominating early-season races. He looks determined to win a second back-to-back title and in prime condition going in. However, the highly mountainous route could favour two-time champion Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike, 28), whose superior climbing endurance often shines through in sustained high-altitude battles. It will definitely be an exciting battle between them, with the mountainous stages (particularly second time-trial) being the key battle-grounds.

Other GC Challengers:

• Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step, 25): Strong time trialist and GC podium regular.
• Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, 35): Experienced Grand Tour contender seeking elusive Tour victory.
• Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers, 38): Veteran champion (2018) and reliable GC contender.
• Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers, 24): Consistently strong climber and all-rounder.

Green Jersey Contenders

Although the peloton consists of many prominent speedsters, in our eyes, the overall sprint competition will be between Jasper Philipsen and Biniam Girmay. While Philipsen will be keen to take an early lead, he will need discipline to beat Girmay from taking the Green Jersey for a second year in a row.

• Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty): Versatile sprinter, 2024 green jersey winner.
• Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck): Prolific winner, excels on flat finishes.
• Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step): Aggressive sprinter with a powerful kick.
• Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek): Strong sprinter suited to rolling finales.
• Wout van Aert (Visma–Lease a Bike): Capable of winning sprints, punchy stages, and breakaways.
• Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal Quick-Step): Exceptional pure sprinter.

Polka-Dot Jersey Contenders

The Polka-Dot battle is difficult to predict with many exciting climbing stages, but will likely involves specialists Giulio Ciccone and Richard Carapaz, who have proven ability to consistently gain mountain points, with British rider Oscar Onley being high on leader board.

• Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek): 2023 KOM winner, aggressive climber.
• Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers): 2024 KOM winner, excels in high mountains.
• Oscar Onley (Picnic Post NL): Strong climber who came 3rd in GC of Tour de Suisse.

White Jersey Contenders

Defending white-jersey winner Remco Evenepoel faces stiff competition from Florian Lipowitz and other emerging stars.

• Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step): Defending young-rider champion and GC contender.
• Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe): Exceptional climbing and time trial ability.
• Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates): Powerful on steep climbs and having a great season so far.
• Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ): Promising climber showing early-season form.

German Riders to Watch

Germany’s hopes rest on Florian Lipowitz for GC, Pascal Ackermann in the sprints, and seasoned stage hunters such as Lennard Kämna and Nils Politt.

• Florian Lipowitz: Young GC talent.
• Nils Politt (Bahrain Victorious): Breakaway specialist targeting rolling stages.
• Pascal Ackermann (UAE Team Emirates): Sprinter targeting flat finishes.
• Lennard Kämna (Jayco-AlUla): Versatile rider, skilled in time trials and mountains.
• Simon Geschke (Cofidis): Experienced climber and breakaway veteran.

Team Classification

The prestigious team classification highlights depth and consistency, and does not always align with the GC winner. Hard to predict but UAE Team Emirates would be our pick, with a group of young talented (and hungry) riders supporting Pogačar.

Conclusion

As with every year, predicting the outcome of the Tour de France is not easy! The iconic race delivers twists, falls, dark-horses, and magical moments. One thing is certain, there will be excitement and a must-read round-up article on the blog next Month!