Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is on the verge of winning his fourth Tour de France title after navigating a challenging penultimate stage in the Jura Mountains. Despite a dangerous crash just meters away from him near the finish line, Pogacar remained unharmed and crossed the line with a smile. His overall lead of 4 minutes and 24 seconds over Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard remains intact as he heads into the final stage in Paris.Groves Makes History with Solo Victory
Australia’s Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) delivered a powerful solo ride through tough weather to win Stage 20. His emotional finish marked his tenth Grand Tour stage win and the first in his debut Tour de France. Groves broke away from the lead group with 16 km to go, showcasing strength and strategy amid treacherous rain and climbs.
Breakaway Drama and Slippery Roads
The 184 km stage through eastern France featured multiple breakaways. Groves was part of a strong 13-man group that included Tim Wellens, Matteo Jorgenson, and others. He managed to avoid crashes and seized a key moment when rivals hesitated, pulling ahead for a decisive win. Dutch rider Frank van den Broek took second, while Pascal Eenkhoorn came third.
GC Shake-Up as Jegat Moves Up
Frenchman Jordan Jegat’s performance pushed him into the top 10 overall, displacing Australian Ben O’Connor. A crash involving Mauro Schmid, O’Connor’s teammate, contributed to the shift as the peloton struggled in rain-soaked conditions. Jegat’s persistence paid off after staying active in the breakaway.
Solo Heroics and Crashes
Harry Sweeny tried a long solo attack inspired by teammate Ben Healy, but he was caught before the final climb. Spain’s Ivan Romeo suffered a crash, ending the hopes of local favorite Romain Gregoire. Groves took his chance on a final unclassified climb, launching an attack that the others couldn’t match.
Groves Reflects on Emotional Win
Post-race, Groves said, “There are so many emotions to win here… today I had super legs. I just suffered to the line, and as a reward, we get a Tour stage.” He credited cold, rainy weather for his strong performance, adding, “It is my first time winning solo—and it is in a Tour stage. It is pretty incredible.”
Jersey Winners Locked In
Pogacar will enter Paris in the yellow jersey and has also secured his third King of the Mountains (KOM) title. Italy’s Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) has locked in the green jersey. The final stage will see riders race through Paris, including three climbs of the Butte de Montmartre, offering a chance for puncheurs to shine.
What to Expect in Paris
While Pogacar has not added a stage win in the final week, he may attempt to end his fourth Tour win with a final burst of glory on the Champs-Élysées.
The concluding stage of Tour de France 2025 will be broadcast live on EUROSPORT and EUROSPORT HD from 10:00 PM IST on Sunday, July 27.
