In a thrilling development at the 2025 Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar is poised to capture his fourth title as Kaden Groves clinched victory in stage 20 of the prestigious cycling event. This latest round of the Tour showcased Groves, the 26-year-old Australian sprinter, who achieved his maiden stage win. Groves made an impressive solo attack with 16 kilometers remaining, crossing the finish line triumphantly.
Pogacar, a 26-year-old Slovenian, completed the 184.2 kilometers of the hilly stage, remaining safely within the peloton, ensuring his lead remains intact. Unless an unforeseen incident occurs, he is set to secure the title on the final day of the competition, which traditionally features a processional stage where the leader is minimally challenged. This final stage has long been a mere formality for the overall winner, allowing Pogacar to ride with confidence toward his anticipated victory.
Groves’ win adds another feather to his cap, marking a noteworthy milestone in his career. His success on Saturday not only signifies his first triumph in the Tour de France, but also completes a remarkable trilogy, rendering him a winner in each of cycling’s three Grand Tour events. This year marked his debut at the Tour, joining the ranks of the Alpecin-Deceuninck team that has seen significant achievements in the race.
Notably, Groves becomes the third rider from the Alpecin-Deceuninck team to win a stage in the 112th edition of cycling’s most esteemed race, joining the ranks of prominent teammates Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel. Both of these star riders enjoyed earlier victories in the Tour before being sidelined due to injuries and illness, respectively, highlighting the unpredictability and challenges of competitive cycling.
Reflecting on his victory, Groves expressed the emotional weight of winning such a prestigious stage and acknowledged the team’s initial plans aimed at supporting Philipsen and Van der Poel. Despite the shifts in strategy due to unforeseen circumstances, Groves took full advantage of the opportunity presented to him, showcasing remarkable leg power and endurance. His determination took him to victory, and he aptly summarized his efforts by saying, “I just suffered to the line and as a reward we get a Tour stage.”
As excitement builds around the concluding stages of the Tour, attention turns to the final results from stage 20. Groves finished first with a time of 4 hours, 6 minutes, and 9 seconds; followed closely by Frank van den Broek of the Netherlands, finishing +54 seconds behind, and Pascal Eenkhoorn from the Netherlands at +59 seconds. Other notable finishers included Simone Velasco and Romain Gregoire, demonstrating the competitive spirit present in this penultimate stage.
As for the overall classification following stage 20, Tadej Pogacar holds the coveted first position with a total time of 73 hours, 54 minutes, and 59 seconds. He leads Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard by 4 minutes and 24 seconds, while Florian Lipowitz, Oscar Onley, and Felix Gall round out the top five. The classifications reflect the intense competition and dedication of each cyclist involved, as they strive to leave their mark on this historic event.
The 2025 Tour de France is set to conclude in Paris, marking the end of another exhilarating chapter in the annals of cycling. Fans and experts alike will eagerly watch Sunday’s processional stage as Pogacar aims to solidify his place as one of the greats in Tour history. With its blend of triumph and resilience, this year’s race has captivated audiences, ensuring its place in cycling lore.
