Pogacar Reigns Supreme: Tour de France 2025 Stage 12 Victory and Race Lead Reclaimed

Pogacar Reclaims Yellow Jersey with Dominant Pyrenean Stage Win, Vingegaard Put Under Pressure

BREAKING NEWS: Tadej Pogacar delivered a stunning performance in the Pyrenees today, launching a decisive attack on the formidable hautacam climb to snatch the yellow jersey from Jonas Vingegaard. The Slovenian star, speaking after his victory, expressed his satisfaction at avenging last year’s defeat on the same iconic ascent.”I was trying with my head through the wall to get back the yellow jersey [in 2022] but Visma was too strong back then,” Pogacar admitted, referencing vingegaard’s decisive move on the 2022 Tour. “I’m super happy to take time [out of Vingegaard] and win on this climb.”

the strategic brilliance of Pogacar’s UAE emirates team was evident as key riders, including Tim Wellens, Jhonatan Narvaez, and Adam Yates, set a blistering pace, perfectly positioning Pogacar for his late-race surge.This allowed him to surpass the early breakaway rider bruno Armirail and leave his general classification rivals trailing. This marks Pogacar’s third stage victory of the current Tour and his twentieth a testament to his enduring dominance in grand Tours.

EVERGREEN INSIGHTS:

This pivotal moment in the 2023 Tour de France highlights the cyclical nature of elite sporting rivalries. Pogacar’s triumphant return to the Hautacam, the very climb that marked his 2022 tour de France defeat, serves as a potent reminder that in cycling, as in many competitive arenas, opportunities for redemption are often etched onto the same landscapes that witness past setbacks. The unwavering commitment to a strategy, combined with the support of a strong team, remains a cornerstone of success. This victory underscores the importance of mental fortitude in overcoming adversity and the ability to learn and adapt from previous encounters. As the Tour progresses,the battle for supremacy between Pogacar and Vingegaard is set to continue,offering valuable lessons in resilience,strategic planning,and the sheer power of athletic determination.

The race also saw Remco Evenepoel, last year’s third-place finisher, battling back from an earlier setback on the Col du Soulor. while he lost time, his ability to limit the damage and his track record in time trials suggest he remains a significant contender to watch as the Tour progresses. Irish rider Ben Healy,meanwhile,faced a challenging day in the intense Pyrenean heat,highlighting the diverse challenges faced by riders in different stages of the race.

pogacar dedicated his hard-fought victory to Samuele Privitera, a young Italian development rider who tragically passed away earlier this week following a crash.

what factors contributed to Tadej pogačar’s successful attack on Mont Ventoux during Stage 12?

Stage 12 breakdown: A Masterclass in Climbing

Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates delivered a stunning performance on Stage 12 of the 2025 Tour de France, securing both the stage win and reclaiming the coveted yellow jersey. The stage, a grueling mountain test finishing atop Mont Ventoux, saw Pogačar distance his rivals with a powerful attack in the final kilometers. This victory marks a significant turning point in the race, shifting the general classification battle decisively in his favor.

Stage Distance: 165km

Stage Type: Mountain

Winner: Tadej Pogačar (UAE team Emirates)

Time: 4h 15m 32s

Key Climb: Mont Ventoux (24km at 7.6% average gradient)

the decisive move came with approximately 5km remaining. Pogačar, shadowed initially by Jonas Vingegaard and Carlos Rodriguez, accelerated on a steep section, quickly opening a gap that his competitors couldn’t close. Vingegaard, visibly struggling, lost contact, while Rodriguez attempted to respond but ultimately couldn’t match Pogačar’s relentless pace.

The General Classification Shake-Up

Pogačar’s victory wasn’t just about the stage win; it was about seizing control of the overall race. He now leads Jonas Vingegaard by 1 minute and 15 seconds, a substantial margin with several challenging stages still to come. Carlos Rodriguez sits in third, over two minutes behind the new race leader.

Hear’s the updated top 5 as of Stage 12:

1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates)
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) + 1m 15s
3. Carlos Rodriguez (INEOS Grenadiers) + 2m 08s
4. Jai Hindley (BORA-hansgrohe) + 2m 45s
5. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Speedy-Step) + 3m 12s

This shift in the general classification highlights Pogačar’s superior climbing ability and tactical acumen. The Tour de France standings are now heavily influenced by his performance,making him the clear favorite to win the race.

Key Moments and Tactical Battles

The stage wasn’t without its drama. Several attacks were launched earlier in the day, primarily from riders hoping to gain a foothold in the mountains classification. however, these moves were neutralized by the peloton, setting the stage for a showdown between the GC contenders on the final ascent.

Early Breakaway: A group of five riders established a breakaway early in the stage, building a lead of over five minutes.

Team Tactics: Visma-Lease a Bike initially controlled the pace, attempting to wear down Pogačar’s team.

Pogačar’s Attack: The decisive attack came as a surprise, catching Vingegaard off guard.

Vingegaard’s Struggles: The two-time Tour de France champion appeared fatigued, unable to respond to Pogačar’s acceleration.

Mont Ventoux: A Legendary Climb

Mont Ventoux, frequently enough referred to as the “Giant of Provence,” is one of the most iconic and challenging climbs in cycling. Its barren landscape and relentless gradient have tested generations of riders.

Ancient Significance: Mont Ventoux has featured in the Tour de France numerous times, frequently enough serving as a decisive stage.

Unique Climate: The summit of Mont Ventoux is known for its strong winds and unpredictable weather conditions.

Gradient and Distance: The climb is 24 kilometers long with an average gradient of 7.6%, but features sections exceeding 10%.

The difficulty of Mont Ventoux makes it a perfect testing ground for Tour de France cyclists, separating the contenders from the pretenders. Pogačar’s dominance on this legendary climb underscores his exceptional climbing prowess.

Looking Ahead: stages 13-21

With Pogačar in the yellow jersey, the remaining stages of the Tour de France 2025 promise to be filled with excitement and drama. Several challenging stages remain, including individual time trials and more mountain tests.

Stage 13: A relatively flat stage, likely to result in a sprint finish.

Stage 14: A hilly stage with potential for attacks.