**Pogacar Secures Stage Seven Victory to Reclaim Tour De France Lead**
On July 11, 2025, Tadej Pogacar, the reigning champion of the Tour de France, showcased his exceptional cycling prowess by winning Stage Seven of the prestigious race. This victory not only marked his second win in this year’s edition but also enabled him to reclaim the overall lead of the Tour. Pogacar’s performance on the iconic Mur-de-Bretagne climb created a thrilling spectacle for cycling enthusiasts around the globe.
The stage began with Mathieu van der Poel, who had briefly captured the yellow jersey just 24 hours earlier, leading the pack following a challenging race. On this day, van der Poel was unable to maintain his position against Pogacar, who sprinted past him and Jonas Vingegaard at the finish line. Testifying to the intense competition, British rider Oscar Onley also made his mark by securing third place, completing an impressive podium for this stage.
**An Example of Endurance and Strategy**
Stage Seven’s route was reminiscent of the 2021 race, where van der Poel celebrated his first-ever stage victory. On this occasion, however, Pogacar decisively took control as he powered through the remaining kilometers. In a fascinating twist, Onley, only 22 years old and racing for Picnic PostNL, demonstrated remarkable skills, making his Tour debut and rising to seventh place in the general classification standings. Meanwhile, van der Poel slipped to fifth overall.
Pogacar remarked, “Me and Mathieu both know this finish very well. We both wanted to win on this iconic climb, but I think maybe yesterday he left too much on the road, so we couldn’t have a rematch.” Such insights underscore the blend of strategy and resilience that distinguishes successful cyclists in this grueling race.
**Geraint Thomas’s Remarkable Comeback**
Another notable performance during this stage came from Geraint Thomas, the Welsh rider who was the 2018 race winner. At the age of 39, Thomas participated in a five-man breakaway but was caught by the peloton on the first of three categorized climbs over the final 18 kilometers. Known for his tenacity, Thomas is riding in the Tour for the 14th and last time before his impending retirement, adding an emotional layer to his participation.
During the race, Thomas led the pack approximately 55 kilometers into the 197-kilometer trek from Saint-Malo to Mur-de-Bretagne; however, his lead never exceeded one minute and forty seconds, making it evident that a repeat of the previous day’s breakaway victory was improbable. Following an unfortunate crash involving Pogacar’s teammate Joao Almeida, who was subsequently delayed, Pogacar benefited from the support of his UAE Emirates-XRG team, propelling him towards the finish line.
**Looking Ahead: Stage Eight**
As the riders look to Stage Eight, the path promises to be less mountainous, featuring a flat 171.4-kilometer route from Saint-Meen-le-Grand to Laval Espace Mayenne. This shift in the course may allow for different strategies as competitors seek to gain advantage, marking a dynamic turn in the ongoing narrative of the 2025 Tour de France.
**Stage Seven Results and General Classification**
The results for Stage Seven were as follows:
1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Emirates-XRG) – 4hrs 5mins 39secs
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) – Same time
3. Oscar Onley (GB/Picnic PostNL) – +2 secs
4. Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) – Same time
5. Matteo Jorgenson (US/Visma-Lease a Bike)
In terms of the overall general classification after this stage, Pogacar emerged as the leader with a total time of 25 hours, 58 minutes, and 4 seconds, followed by Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal Quick-Step) at 54 seconds behind.
As the Tour progresses, the anticipation builds regarding Pogacar’s strategy to maintain his lead amid fierce competition, setting the stage for an exhilarating continuation of this storied race. Cycling fans everywhere remain captivated as the event unfolds, eagerly awaiting to see how the dynamics of this thrilling competition will develop.
