The Tour de France 2025 is set to provide cycling fans with an unforgettable spectacle and battle, with Tadej Pogacar back to defend his title against Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard.
The 112th edition of the race takes on some of the most iconic and challenging climbs in the sport. From Lille to Paris, the route promises excitement, with dramatic climbs and time trials that will push the riders to their limits. Here’s what we know so far.
The Grand Départ & Early Stages
The Grand Départ will take place in Lille on Saturday, July 5th, offering sprinters an early chance at the yellow jersey. The peloton will then head toward the northwest of France, with stages to Boulogne-sur-Mer and to Dunkirk. These stages will be peppered with hills, but early on, it’s likely the sprinters will dominate the action.
Caen Time Trial & Brittany Challenges
As the race continues, the course begins to take shape, and it’s clear the first major challenge will come with the Caen time trial, rumored to span about 20 kilometers. This individual effort, passing iconic landmarks like the Mémorial for Peace, will add early pressure as contenders battle for time gains before heading into Brittany and a Mûr-de-Bretagne finish.
The Pyrenees & Hautacam
After Brittany, the peloton will move southwest, shifting into the Pyrenees for some of the most highly anticipated mountain stages. One of the confirmed highlights is the stage finish at Hautacam on July 17th, stage 12. The ascent of Hautacam is one of the most challenging in the Pyrenees, and it will be the first big showdown between the climbers.
Time Trial To Peyragudes & Mont Ventoux
The following day, the riders will face a 13-kilometer time trial to Peyragudes, a unique and decisive stage for the general classification contenders. This will be the second of the two time trials in the race, providing opportunities for both climbers and time trial specialists to fight for precious seconds.
The legendary Mont Ventoux is back on the agenda for July 22nd. Known as the “Giant of Provence,” the Ventoux stage promises to be another key battleground. Whether the ascent will break up the race or be a springboard for attacks will depend on how the contenders play their cards, but this brutal climb is set to leave a lasting impact on the race.
La Plagne & Paris Finale
The final mountain stage will see the riders tackle La Plagne in the Alps, another long and grueling ascent. After a unique finish in Nice for 2024, the riders will make their way toward Paris, with the traditional sprint finish on the Champs-Élysées rounding out the Tour on July 27th.
Tour 2025 For The Climbers
While Hautacam and Ventoux steal the headlines, the 2025 Tour de France promises to be a dynamic mix of time trials, mountain showdowns, and unpredictable weather that could affect the outcome. With only two time trials and numerous summit finishes, the race is shaping up to be one for the climbers, an epic battle of endurance and strategy in the 2025 Tour de France.