Tour De France Stage 4

On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the fourth stage of the Tour de France delivered a thrilling spectacle as the peloton traveled 174.2 kilometers from Amiens Métropole to Rouen. The day culminated in an explosive uphill sprint where Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) clinched his 100th career victory, out-sprinting race leader Mathieu van der Poel.

Stage Route and Timings

Billed as a day for the "puncheurs," or punchy climbers, the stage featured a largely flat opening 100 kilometers before coming alive in a challenging final third. Riders faced over 2,000 meters of elevation gain, with five categorized climbs packed into the last 50 kilometers of the race.

• Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025
• Start Time: The neutral start was at 13:15 local time (CEST), with the official start at 13:35.
• Finish Time: The race concluded at approximately 17:30 CEST.

The route through Normandy presented potential challenges with crosswinds, but the main action was reserved for the series of sharp climbs leading into Rouen. The decisive moments occurred on the final ascents, including the historic Côte de Bonsecours and the steep Rampe Saint-Hilaire, which features an average gradient of 12% and is located just five kilometers from the finish line.

How the Stage Unfolded

The initial part of the race was calm, with a four-man breakaway establishing a lead that they held for nearly 150 kilometers. However, as the race approached the demanding finale, the peloton reeled them in, setting the stage for a battle among the top contenders.

The final 20 kilometers saw an all-out assault on the climbs. In a replay of their duel on Stage 2, Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) went head-to-head on the final uphill drag to the finish line. Van der Poel initiated the sprint, but the World Champion Pogačar powered past him to take the stage win.

Stage 4 Results and GC Implications

The hard-fought victory marked a significant milestone for Tadej Pogačar311. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) finished third, securing the remaining podium spot4.

Top 3 Finishers:

1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
2. Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
3. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)

While Mathieu van der Poel retained the coveted yellow jersey as the overall race leader, the stage result significantly tightened the General Classification. Pogačar's win, coupled with time bonuses, moved him into a tie for time with van der Poel at the top of the standings. Vingegaard now sits 12 seconds behind his main rival, Pogačar.

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)

The Slovenian superstar continues to build a legendary career. His victory on Stage 4 was not just another win; it marked his 100th professional victory.

• Career Highlights:
  • Defending Tour de France champion, aiming for a fourth title.
  • One of the most dominant riders of his generation, with a historic 2024 season that included victories at the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France, and the World Championships.
  • He has a total of 107 career wins.
• 2025 Season Performance:
  • Pogačar has been in formidable form throughout the 2025 season. In just 25 race days, he has already accumulated 11 wins, 17 top-three finishes, and 19 top-ten results.

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)

The current wearer of the yellow jersey is a versatile rider who excels across different cycling disciplines. While he narrowly missed out on the stage win, his performance keeps him at the top of the overall standings.

• Career Highlights:
  • A multiple-time World Champion in cyclocross, with an astonishing career win rate of over 74% in that discipline.
  • A master of the Classics, with major victories including three wins at Paris-Roubaix and three at the Tour of Flanders.
• 2025 Season Performance:
  • He started his 2025 season strong, winning the classic Milan-San Remo11. His consistency has been key to him holding the yellow jersey in the opening stages of the Tour de France.

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)

The Danish climber remains a primary threat for the overall victory, finishing a strong third on Stage 4. He is a two-time winner of the Tour de France and has shown he has the form to challenge for a third title.

• Career Highlights:
  • 38 professional wins, including 10 Grand Tour stage victories.
  • Two-time Tour de France champion (2022, 2023).
• 2025 Season Performance:
  • Vingegaard began his season with an overall victory at the Volta ao Algarve.
  • His season was briefly interrupted by a crash at Paris-Nice, but he has since returned, stating he feels "stronger than ever" for the Tour.

Head-to-Head Stats

Here is a brief statistical comparison of the three riders who animated the finale of Stage 4: