L’Esprit du Tour
A retrospective of two weeks of racing, seen through our unique lens.
Published: July 21, 2025
Polka Dot Power
Superbagnères: Stage 14 — July 19.
Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious) wore the polka dot jersey with pride and lit up the high mountains with a fearless solo attack on the Tour’s toughest terrain. With 15 kilometres left to climb, Martinez pulled ahead of a strong breakaway group. With 6 kilometres left to the summit, he boldly went solo, carving out a commanding gap of 1 minute and 45 seconds over his chasers and 3 minutes and 30 seconds over the yellow jersey group. The legendary Col du Tourmalet and the Col d’Aspin is where Martinez truly showed why he’s the king of the climbs, pushing the limits in true mountain goat fashion. Though he was eventually reeled in after a daring descent, his aggressive riding was a masterclass in courage and climbing strength.
"I'm happy, but there are so many days where I could lose the jersey. I'll be on cloud nine if I still have it in Paris!"
Clash of the Titans
Hautacam: Stage 12 — July 17.
On the brutal slopes of Hautacam in the Pyrenees, Jonas Vingegaard once again demonstrated his grit and determination. In the first major mountain test of this year's Tour de France, Team Visma | Lease a Bike set a fierce tempo on the Col du Soulor, breaking up the group of favourites and putting pressure on the yellow jersey early on. When the final climb began, Tadej Pogačar made the decisive move, but Vingegaard pushed himself to the limit to minimise the damage, finishing a strong second in the stage. While Pogačar crossed the finish line alone, Vingegaard's resilience on one of the Tour's most iconic climbs kept him in the overall classification (GC) battle.
You never forget your first time!
Toulouse. Stage 11 is on July 16.
In a thrilling 156.8-kilometre battle around Toulouse, Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) and Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla) delivered an unforgettable performance. They claimed first and second place, respectively, after launching a bold attack from the very first kilometer. Abrahamsen, already a fan favorite for his relentless breakaways, secured his first Grand Tour victory and a historic milestone for Uno-X Mobility by outdueling Schmid in a gritty finale. The duo displayed exceptional endurance and strategy, fending off a fierce pursuit by Mathieu Van der Poel, who finished only seven seconds behind.
"I broke my collarbone four weeks ago. I cried in the hospital, thinking I wouldn’t ride the Tour de France. But the day after, I was on the home trainer. I did everything I could to come back."
The storming of the Bastille.
Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy. Stage 10 - 14 July.
On Bastille Day, Simon Yates (Team Jayco AlUla) lit up the final climb with a masterclass in timing and strength. He claimed victory atop Le Mont-Dore after 165.3 kilometers of drama. Ben Healy, already a stage winner, rode with grit and a vision to seize the yellow jersey — a reward for his consistency and courage.
"It feels great to win another stage in the Tour after six years. I wasn't feeling amazing today, but I decided to take a chance in the finale. I tried to surprise the others by attacking at the foot of the last climb, and luckily I managed to hold on until the line. This victory means a lot to me." Simon Yates
A fierce battle.
Vire Normandie. Stage 8 - 12 July.
With the world watching, 24-year-old Ben Healy delivered the ride of a lifetime, breaking away solo and finishing 2:44 ahead of the rest of the pack. This wasn't just a stage win; it was the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance.
In that moment, Healy didn’t just win. He made a statement, honored his team, and gave Ireland a new Tour de France hero.
"I grew up watching the Tour and dreaming of being there. To be part of it is incredible, but to win? That’s something else."
So close.
Mûr-de-Bretagne. Stage 7 - 11 July.
During the final climb, Vingegaard, Pogačar, and Evenepoel pulled ahead of the group, setting the stage for a fierce GC showdown. Though the trio couldn’t hold off the chase and Jorgenson and others closed in, Vingegaard still had something left. In the final meters, he launched an uphill sprint that pushed Pogačar to his limits, ultimately falling short by a hair.
Second place for him, but a bold message: the champion has come to fight.
"It’s been a tough first week, with several stages already fought between GC contenders. The mountains are coming. We’re all in."
Against the clock.
Caen. Stage 5 - 9 July.
"I had hoped to end the string of Italian victories. I sat there for three hours. But 30 seconds from the world and Olympic champion in a race like that, I don't think the gap is too big."
Edoardo Affini (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) gave it his all in the time trial, riding with passion, precision, and quiet pride. As Luke Plapp surged ahead at the intermediates, Affini stayed calm. When it mattered most, he unleashed a final push that stunned: An average speed of 53.2 km/h, 30 seconds faster than his rival, and hours atop the leaderboard.
Even when world champion Remco Evenepoel took the top spot, Affini’s performance stood tall — a time trial written in determination and worthy of the jersey he wears.
Try until the end.
Amiens Métropole - Rouen. Stage 4 - 8 July.
Kasper Asgreen (EF Education-EasyPost) rode with heart and grit, joining a breakaway that embodied the spirit of the race. For hours, he carried the hopes of the underdog, his face etched with pain and his cadence filled with determination. The catch came cruelly close to the finish line, but his effort was heroic. Pure heroism. It wasn’t a victory, but it was glorious nonetheless — the kind that lives on in memory.