Pogachard’s Dramatic Upset: Tour de France 2025 Stage 12 Player Reactions

Here’s a revised article for archyde.com, aiming for uniqueness and a slightly different angle:

Pogacar Dominates, Vingegaard Fights On as tour de France Showdown Intensifies

Tadej Pogacar has solidified his grip on the coveted Yellow Jersey, delivering a commanding performance on a brutal alpine stage that saw rivals struggle. While the Slovenian powerhouse stamped his authority, the battle for the podium remains fiercely contested, with Jonas Vingegaard showing remarkable resilience despite a challenging day.

The day’s stage was designed to test the mettle of the peloton, and it did not disappoint. Early on, the race ignited with a breakaway, but it was on the unforgiving climbs that the true contenders began to separate. Matteo Jorgenson of Visma | Lease a bike found himself in a difficult position early in the stage. while the initial strategy involved setting a furious pace to isolate rivals, Jorgenson admitted to being off the pace from the outset. “I was late due to a bad day,” he stated. “I knew this from the start and was doing my best to keep up with the group on the first mountain. And in the last mountains, I was entirely empty.” Despite the personal struggle, Jorgenson’s commitment remained, focusing on supporting his leader.

Despite Jorgenson’s difficulties,the Visma | Lease a Bike team aimed to orchestrate an attack from Vingegaard. However, the superior form of Pogacar proved to be the decisive factor. “Pogacar was clearly stronger,” acknowledged the team’s sentiment. Even though a notable time gap emerged in the overall standings, Vingegaard, a beacon of determination, managed to salvage his second-place position. The team remains resolute, stating, “Let’s do our best in tomorrow’s time trial and see what happens. We still haven’t lost our fighting spirit.”

Florian Lipowitz of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe also reflected on a demanding stage. “today was another very hard stage,” he commented. “Very quickly from the start, a large group of escapes formed, and they were already struggling on the first long climb. Even though I am satisfied with my own condition, I have to try to recover for tomorrow.” Lipowitz currently sits in 3rd and 4th place highlighting the tight competition for podium spots.

Meanwhile,Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step),sporting the Young Rider’s jersey,showcased amazing grit. Finishing 7th on the stage, he battled through adversity to maintain his grip on the white jersey. “I drove smarter today, not only did I do that kind of thing. I wasn’t doing very well today,so I continued to struggle to the top. The easiest way to finish was to give up everything… However, I didn’t come to the tools to fight that way, but I was running while imagining myself on the overall podium in Paris.” Evenepoel drew inspiration from cycling legends, recalling advice on managing bad days and minimizing losses. “I remembered the words that Froome and Contador had said, ‘Ensure that you have bad days and minimize time losses,’ and continued to stumble even in the midst of pain. My teammates also worked so hard to assist, and I didn’t want to disappoint them. I had made so many sacrifices before I came here, including my wife and family.”

When questioned about Pogacar’s overall victory seemingly being decided, Evenepoel remained cautiously optimistic: “yesterday, Taday fell. Of course, no one wants to fall, but the Tour doesn’t know what will happen until you reach Paris. We have to continue fighting that far for a week and a half. But it’s certainly true that he attracted the overall championship today.”

The intense heat and relentless pace of the stage took their toll on many, as demonstrated by Jorgenson’s admission of being “completely empty” in the final kilometers. Despite the significant time gaps, the fight for every second continues as the Tour de France heads towards its thrilling conclusion.

Text: Sotaro Arakawa
Photo: Ravens, ASO

what strategic adjustments might Visma-Lease a Bike implement to counter Pogačar’s aggressive racing style, as suggested by Matthieu Mottet?

The Shockwave Across the Peloton

Tadej Pogačar’s stunning victory on Stage 12 of the 2025 Tour de France sent ripples – and outright shockwaves – through the cycling world. After a tactical masterclass and a blistering attack in the final kilometers, the UAE Team Emirates rider distanced overall leader Jonas Vingegaard, seizing the yellow jersey in a move few predicted. The immediate reactions from key players paint a picture of disbelief, respect, and a rapidly shifting dynamic in this year’s Grande Boucle. This article dives into the immediate aftermath, analyzing the responses from riders, team managers, and cycling analysts.

Vingegaard’s Response: Acknowledging Pogačar’s Strength

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), visibly shaken after the stage, offered a gracious, though clearly disappointed, assessment. “Pogačar was simply stronger today,” he stated in a post-race interview. “I tried to respond to his attack, but he had an incredible turn of speed. We underestimated his form, perhaps.This Tour de France is far from over, but we have a lot of work to do.”

Key takeaways from Vingegaard’s reaction:

Acceptance of Defeat: Vingegaard didn’t offer excuses, acknowledging Pogačar’s superior performance.

Strategic Reassessment: The Visma-Lease a Bike team will undoubtedly be analyzing their tactics and Pogačar’s strategy.

Continued Fight: Despite losing the lead, Vingegaard remains persistent to challenge for the overall victory.

Key Contenders Weigh In: Analyzing the Shift in Power

Several other contenders shared their perspectives on Pogačar’s performance and the implications for the remainder of the Tour.

Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers): “Pogačar showed why he’s one of the best. That attack was perfectly timed. It changes everything.Now, everyone will be looking at him.”

Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe): “It was a brutal stage. Pogačar’s acceleration was incredible. It’s a wake-up call for all of us. We need to be prepared for more attacks like that.”

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Speedy-Step): “I was too far back to see exactly what happened,but the time gaps speak for themselves. Pogačar is riding at another level right now. This cycling race is getting very interesting.”

These reactions highlight a consensus: Pogačar has established himself as the clear favorite, and the pressure is now on his rivals to respond. The tour standings have been dramatically altered.

Team Manager perspectives: Tactical Adjustments on the Horizon

Team managers were quick to analyze the tactical implications of Pogačar’s victory.

Matthieu Mottet (Visma-Lease a Bike): “We need to understand were we went wrong and adjust our strategy accordingly. We’ll be looking at every detail, from pacing to positioning, to ensure we’re better prepared for future attacks.”

Dave Brailsford (Ineos Grenadiers): “Pogačar’s move was a calculated risk that paid off.We need to be more proactive and anticipate these kinds of attacks. It’s a reminder that you can’t afford to be complacent in this race.”

lotto Dstny’s Manager: “This stage proves that the Tour de France is unpredictable.We need to stay focused on our own goals and capitalize on any opportunities that arise.”

The emphasis from team managers is on adaptation and a renewed focus on tactical awareness. Expect to see more aggressive racing in the coming stages.

Expert Analysis: The Significance of Stage 12

Cycling analysts are already dissecting Stage 12,identifying key moments and predicting future developments.

Breakaway Opportunities: With Pogačar in yellow, teams