Will wins come in threes for Alpecin-Deceuninck? In a thrilling opening week-end of the Tour de France 2025, the Belgian squad ruled Lille and Boulogne-sur-Mer, and they’re now headed to Dunkirk with the Maillot Jaune on Mathieu Van der Poel’s shoulders, while Jasper Philipsen eyes a second stage win this year - his eleventh on the roads of the Tour - after he powered to glory on day 1.
The most recent dynamics favour Alpecin-Deceuninck, and their power duo have long established their ability to rule the greatest events. They currently seem to be at the top of their game, which puts them atop the standings, way ahead of their rivals, whether it be the pure sprinters or the most versatile champions like Tadej Pogacar, second in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
En route to Dunkirk, to be reached after a mostly flat 178.3-km course from Valenciennes, the wind, and the riders, could upset the scenario, but it should be up to the fastest men to try and disrupt Alpecin-Deceuninck’s dominance. The likes of Tim Merlier, Jonathan Milan and Biniam Girmay come out of the opening week-end particularly frustrated… Will stage 3 be the magic number for them or will it signal yet another dominant performance from Van der Poel, Philipsen et al?
