“Some days will feel like classics”, Wout Van Aert announced ahead of the Tour 2025. Stage 1 already proved him right - the bunch are eager to bring battle on sort of terrain, especially the trickiest, as illustrated by the echelons provoked by the hectic pace around Lille. After such action, it should be no surprise to see Alpecin-Deceuninck rule the finale, with Jasper Philipsen powering to his first Maillot Jaune thanks to his skills and to the essential support of Mathieu Van der Poel and Kaden Groves in the finale in Lille.
How will the terrain from Lauwin-Planque to Boulogne-sur-Mer change the racing configuration? The finish is much more demanding, with an uphill finale after a series of three steep kickers inside the last 20 kilometres. That’s definitely not for pure sprinters. But Philipsen is more than a pure sprinter. And, in the Tour and in the Classics as well, he’s used to partnering with Mathieu Van der Poel for supreme conquests. “In the bunch sprints, we go for Jasper”, Mathieu stated. “And on punchy stages, we can play both cards.” Philipsen retaining the Maillot Jaune or Van der Poel conquering it again, four years after his success in Mûr-de-Bretagne (already on stage 2) - it’s hard to determine the most exciting scenario for Alpecin-Deceuninck.
Their rivals will be determined to make the Belgian squad live a nightmare. And the weather conditions can help them. With a storm looming on the horizon, strong winds, an explosive finale, and the inherent tension that accompanies the first days of the Tour, the decisive blow can come from anywhere. Biniam Girmay, 2nd in Lille, claimed stage 2 suits him even better on paper. Jonas Vingegaard has shown he’s willing to bring battle at any opportunity. And when will Tadej Pogacar go for his 100th professional victory?
