Tour de France Stage 5: Evenepoel and Pogačar Share the Spoils as Time Trial Reshuffles the Race

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CAEN, France (9 July 2025) — The cobblestones of Normandy gave way to the smooth tarmac of Caen’s time trial circuit on Wednesday, where the 33-kilometer individual test against the clock delivered the first true reckoning of the 2025 Tour de France. In a masterclass of sustained power and tactical precision, Remco Evenepoel claimed his second career Tour stage victory while Tadej Pogačar seized the yellow jersey with a performance that signaled his championship ambitions.

The race of truth around the historic Norman capital unfolded exactly as many had predicted, yet with nuances that will reverberate through the remaining two weeks of racing. Evenepoel, the reigning world time trial champion, demonstrated why he remains the sport’s premier chronoman, posting a time of 36 minutes and 42 seconds at an average speed of 54.0 kilometers per hour. His victory margin of 16 seconds over Pogačar was significant enough to showcase his superiority against the clock, yet narrow enough to highlight the Slovenian’s remarkable improvement in the discipline.

 

The Morning Establishes the Benchmark

For Pogačar, the day represented a calculated gamble that paid dividends. While conceding the stage to Evenepoel, he gained crucial time on virtually every other general classification contender, vaulting from joint leadership to the race lead with a 42-second advantage over the Belgian. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader now holds three of the four Tour jerseys, adding yellow to his existing green and polka dot collections—a feat that underscores his versatility and current form.

The morning’s early starters set a competitive tone that would persist throughout the day. Kazakhstan’s Yegueniy Fedorov briefly held the hot seat before Pablo Castrillo improved the benchmark. The young Spaniard’s time stood until his Movistar teammate Ivan Romeo, the U23 world time trial champion, demonstrated why he’s considered one of cycling’s brightest prospects.

The technical demands of the Caen circuit suited pure time trialists, with its mix of flat sections and rolling terrain requiring both sustained power and tactical pacing. The relatively short distance meant that every second would be magnified, placing premium on riders’ ability to maintain threshold power while managing the metabolic demands of an all-out effort.

Luke Plapp appeared destined for the early lead, posting the fastest times at each intermediate checkpoint, but the Australian champion’s effort unraveled in the final kilometers. The tactical demands of time trial pacing became evident as several riders, including Plapp, pushed too hard in the opening sections only to fade when precision was most needed.

Into this void stepped Edoardo Affini, the European time trial champion, who delivered a stunning performance that would stand as the reference time for hours. The Italian’s effort, 30 seconds clear of Romeo and posted at an average speed of 53.2 kilometers per hour, demonstrated the level of excellence required to contend on such a demanding circuit.

The French Challenge and Rising Stakes

The French national time trial champion Bruno Armirail came tantalizingly close to unseating Affini, falling just two seconds short despite a powerful finish. The Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale rider’s effort exemplified the depth of talent in the modern peloton, where national champions routinely deliver performances that would have won stages in previous eras.

09/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 5 – Caen / Caen (33 km CLM) – Bruno ARMIRAIL (DECATHLON AG2R LA MONDIALE TEAM) – Photo © A.S.O.

As the afternoon heat intensified and the general classification contenders began their efforts, the tactical complexity of the stage became apparent. Team cars positioned themselves strategically around the circuit, providing split times that would prove crucial for pacing decisions. The pressure mounted as each successive rider faced the daunting task of not just beating Affini’s time, but doing so while managing the expectations of overall victory.

The Contenders’ Hour

Florian Lipowitz provided the first serious challenge to Affini’s time, the German’s effort highlighting the depth of talent within the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe squad. His performance also overshadowed that of team leader Primož Roglič, whose struggles against the clock continued to hamper his overall ambitions. The Slovenian veteran’s time deficit of over two minutes to the eventual winner underscored the challenges faced by pure climbers in modern Grand Tour racing.

The psychological warfare of time trial racing became evident as intermediate times filtered through the race organization. Riders starting later had the advantage of knowing exactly what was required, but also faced the pressure of meeting specific targets. This dynamic would prove crucial as the day’s protagonists took to the course.

The Championship Clash

Then came Evenepoel, and with him, a reminder of why he stands alone among the sport’s time trialists. The Belgian’s ride was a study in sustained power and tactical precision, his 54.0 kilometers per hour average speed relegating Affini to second place by 33 seconds. The world champion’s effort showcased the technical mastery that separates elite time trialists from the merely excellent.

09/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 5 – Caen / Caen (33 km CLM) – Remco EVENEPOEL (SOUDAL QUICK-STEP) – Photo © A.S.O.

Evenepoel’s pacing strategy revealed the meticulous preparation that goes into championship-level time trial performance. His ability to maintain consistent power output while navigating the circuit’s technical challenges demonstrated why he has dominated the discipline at the highest level. The precision of his cornering and his aerodynamic position reflected years of refinement in pursuit of marginal gains.

More significantly, his performance established a benchmark that would test even Pogačar’s renowned finishing ability. The psychological pressure on the Slovenian was immense—not only did he need to deliver a career-best time trial performance, but he had to do so knowing that anything less than perfection would likely cost him the yellow jersey.

Pogačar’s Defining Moment

The Slovenian’s response was immediate and emphatic. While unable to match Evenepoel’s raw speed, Pogačar’s deficit of just 16 seconds represented a quantum leap forward in his time trialing capabilities. His average speed of 53.7 kilometers per hour, combined with the time gaps he opened on key rivals, transformed the race’s general classification landscape.

09/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 5 – Caen / Caen (33 km CLM) – Tadej POGACAR (UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG) – Photo © A.S.O.

The technical analysis of Pogačar’s effort revealed significant improvements in his aerodynamic position and pacing strategy. His ability to maintain consistent power output throughout the circuit, rather than relying on explosive bursts, demonstrated the evolution of his time trial technique. The marginal gains accumulated through equipment optimization and position refinement were evident in his sector times.

Perhaps most importantly, Pogačar’s performance sent a clear message to his rivals about his current form and tactical approach. His willingness to prioritize overall time gains over stage victory showed the maturity that has defined his championship campaigns. The calculated risk of conceding 16 seconds to Evenepoel while gaining significantly more on other contenders exemplified championship-level tactical thinking.

The Casualties and Revelations

The day’s biggest casualty was Jonas Vingegaard, the Danish star whose time trial struggles have become increasingly pronounced. The Visma-Lease a Bike leader’s 13th-place finish, leaving him 1 minute and 13 seconds adrift of Pogačar, raised serious questions about his ability to challenge for overall victory. His performance suggested either a concerning lack of form or tactical miscalculation in his preparation.

The defending champion’s struggles were particularly surprising given his team’s resources and his previous time trial performances. His deficit to Pogačar now appears potentially insurmountable, especially considering the climbing stages that await. The psychological impact of such a significant time loss in a discipline where he was expected to remain competitive cannot be understated.

09/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 5 – Caen / Caen (33 km CLM) – Mathieu VAN DER POEL (ALPECIN-DECEUNINCK) – Photo © A.S.O.

Equally concerning for those harboring overall ambitions was the performance of Mathieu van der Poel, who surrendered the yellow jersey after three days of inspired leadership. The Dutch champion’s time trial limitations were exposed, dropping him to sixth overall and 1 minute and 28 seconds behind Pogačar. His post-stage demeanor suggested he had expected this outcome, focusing instead on future stage opportunities.

The Surprise Contender

The surprise package of the day was Kévin Vauquelin, the Arkéa-B&B Hotels rider who leveraged home support and superior time trial technique to claim third place overall. The Norman’s performance, just 59 seconds behind Pogačar, positions him as an unexpected podium contender and provides his team with a legitimate general classification threat.

Vauquelin’s rise represents one of the most compelling narratives of the early Tour. His ability to maintain position through the opening stages while others faltered, combined with his strong time trial performance, suggests a maturity beyond his years. The French rider’s technical proficiency against the clock was evident in his sector times, which remained consistent throughout the effort.

The tactical implications of Vauquelin’s performance extend beyond individual achievement. His positioning creates an interesting dynamic for the mountain stages, where his team’s aggressive racing style could prove decisive in shaping the overall battle. The presence of a genuine French contender also adds significant emotional weight to the race narrative.

Champions’ Perspectives

In the post-stage interviews, both protagonists displayed the measured confidence of champions who understand the magnitude of their performances. Pogačar, speaking from the yellow jersey presentation podium, acknowledged the challenge ahead while expressing satisfaction with his tactical execution.

“I’m super happy with how the race turned out today,” Pogačar said. “We had some strong competition out there. To finish just 16 seconds behind the best time triallist in the world, both Olympic and World Champion, is great. I put some time on most of my GC rivals – just lost some to Remco [Evenepoel]. I’m happy this day is over and we can start focusing on the remainder of the Tour de France… and keep the ball rolling.”

The three-time Tour champion also revealed his tactical philosophy for the remainder of the race, emphasizing long-term strategy over short-term jersey defense. “It’s going to be a hard Tour de France. We have raced five stages already, and they have been quite fast. This year’s course is super hectic. We have to watch out the whole time, because every stage is nervous. I’m super happy to have the Yellow Jersey, yet we are aware the race can feel very long from now until Paris. As of now, our priority is going to be keeping our advantage on our GC rivals, and not necessarily the jersey.”

His comments revealed the strategic thinking that has defined his championship campaigns—a willingness to sacrifice short-term gains for long-term positioning. This tactical maturity, combined with his demonstrated versatility, makes him the most complete rider in the current peloton.

Evenepoel, meanwhile, displayed the satisfaction of a rider who had executed his plan to perfection while maintaining realistic expectations about his overall ambitions. “I knew I had a good chance to win but the legs had to be there. I didn’t feel like I could go any faster so it was a good plan. I kind of pushed pretty steadily, a bit harder on the uphills than the downhills of course. And I gained positions at every checkpoint. The pacing was perfect and everything was on point, I’m super happy.”

The Belgian’s technical analysis of his performance revealed the meticulous preparation that goes into championship-level time trial racing. His ability to maintain consistent power output while adjusting for the circuit’s topographical demands demonstrated the tactical sophistication that separates elite performers from the merely talented.

“Now, the two guys from the team that came for stage wins have done it, with Tim [Merlier] and I. We can be relieved and focus on the podium in Paris. Of course, there are regrets after our rookie mistake on day 1. But we can’t change the past and it actually motivated me even more! It’s getting better every day so let’s hope it keeps going like that.”

His assessment of Pogačar’s performance was equally revealing, acknowledging both the improvement and the implications for the overall battle. “Tadej [Pogačar] did a very strong time trial as well, losing about half a second per kilometre. If you compare with the Critérium du Dauphiné, he made a big step forward and he shows he’s in big form.”

Looking Toward the Mountains

The stage also saw the withdrawal of Emilien Jeannière (TotalEnergies) and Jasper De Buyst (Lotto Dstny), reducing the peloton to 179 riders as the race approaches its first serious mountain test. These departures, while not unexpected given the demands of Grand Tour racing, serve as reminders of the physical toll that three weeks of competition extracts from even the most prepared athletes.

As the Tour de France 2025 prepares to leave Normandy behind, the time trial has provided the clarity that was missing from the opening stages. Pogačar’s emergence as the race leader, combined with Evenepoel’s continued excellence against the clock, sets up a fascinating battle for the remaining two weeks. The mathematical precision of time trial racing has eliminated much of the uncertainty that characterized the opening sprint stages.

The real test, however, begins next week when the mountains of the Massif Central loom. There, the time gained and lost on the flat roads of Caen will be put into proper perspective, and the 2025 Tour de France will reveal its true character. The tactical implications of today’s result extend far beyond the immediate time gaps, establishing psychological momentum and strategic positioning that will influence decision-making throughout the race’s decisive mountain stages.

With Vingegaard seemingly struggling and van der Poel’s limitations exposed, the path to Paris appears increasingly to run through the Pogačar-Evenepoel rivalry. Their mutual respect, evident in post-stage interviews, masks an intense competitive dynamic that promises to define the remainder of the 2025 Tour de France. The stage’s outcome has fundamentally altered the race’s tactical landscape, setting up what promises to be one of the most compelling battles for cycling’s greatest prize in recent memory.

By the Numbers

2: EVENEPOEL’S TOUR STAGE WINS
Remco Evenepoel claims his second Tour de France stage victory, following his maiden triumph in Gevrey-Chambertin in 2024. He becomes the third rider to win individual time trials in different editions of the Tour while holding the world championship rainbow jersey. This is his 64th professional victory, his 5th of the year.

54.0: KILOMETERS PER HOUR AVERAGE
Evenepoel’s winning speed of 54.0 km/h on the 33-kilometer circuit demonstrates the exceptional level of time trial performance in the modern peloton. His power output sustainability over the technical Caen circuit showcased championship-level preparation.

42: POGAČAR’S ADVANTAGE IN SECONDS
Tadej Pogačar’s 42-second lead over Evenepoel represents the largest time gap between the top two riders in the 2025 Tour de France. His deficit of just 16 seconds to the stage winner highlights his remarkable improvement in time trial disciplines.

1:13: VINGEGAARD’S DEFICIT
Jonas Vingegaard’s time loss of 1 minute and 13 seconds to the new race leader represents the biggest surprise of the stage, potentially ending his championship ambitions before the mountain stages have even begun.

179: REMAINING RIDERS
The withdrawals of Emilien Jeannière and Jasper De Buyst reduce the peloton size as the race approaches its first serious mountain challenges, with attrition expected to continue as the Tour intensifies.

1: THE CHAMPIONS IN ACTION
Reigning road World Champion Tadej Pogačar won yesterday; time trial World Champion Remco Evenepoel did the same today. Two different World Champions winning in two days, it never happened before!

1: FIRST GREEN JERSEY FOR POGAČAR
Tadej Pogačar succeeds Jasper Philipsen (stages 1-2) and Jonathan Milan (stages 3-4) to lead the points classification (green jersey). This is a first in the Slovenian’s career, as he has never led the points classification! He has now been the holder of all the Tour’s distinctive jerseys: the Yellow Jersey (41 times), the polka dot jersey (18 times), the white jersey (75 times), and the green jersey once.

3/5: THE BELGIANS SHINE
After Jasper Philipsen (stage 1) and Tim Merlier (stage 3), Remco Evenepoel gives Belgium a 3rd victory in the first five stages. It hasn’t happened since 1981: Freddy Maertens won twice in Nice and Narbonne, plus a victory for Lucian Van Impe at Pla d’Adet.

5: POGAČAR HAS (ALMOST) EVERYTHING
Tadej Pogačar becomes the 5th rider in history to lead the general classification, points classification, and mountains classification simultaneously! The previous four were Bernard Hinault (stage 2 in 1979; prologue in 1985), Acacio da Silva (stages 1-2 in 1989), Richard Virenque (stage 2 in 1992), and Philippe Gilbert (stage 1 in 2011). It’s the first time this has happened so late (stage 5). Eddy Merckx won all three classifications in 1969, but the polka dot jersey didn’t exist – it was created in 1975.

41: POGAČAR BACK IN YELLOW
Tadej Pogačar dethrones Mathieu Van der Poel and takes the 41st Yellow Jersey of his career. As many as Sylvère Maes, making him the 6th best-ever performer in this classification.

9: AN ITALIAN ON THE PODIUM
Third on the day, Edoardo Affini is the first Italian to finish on the podium in an individual time trial since Fabio Aru, 3rd in Megève in 2016, 9 years ago. However, the route included climbs. For a flat time trial, this is an unprecedented performance in the 21st century!

2001: TWO FRENCHMEN IN THE TOP 5
Two Frenchmen, Bruno Armirail (4th) and Kévin Vauquelin (5th), finished in the top 5 today. It hasn’t happened in an individual time trial since July 7, 2001, 24 years ago. Christophe Moreau won the 8.2 km prologue in Dunkerque, while Florent Brard finished 5th.

09/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 5 – Caen / Caen (33 km CLM) – Julian ALAPHILIPPE (TUDOR PRO CYCLING TEAM) – Photo © A.S.O.

3: VAUQUELIN IMPRESSES
Kévin Vauquelin is now 3rd in the general classification, becoming the first Frenchman on the podium since Romain Bardet after stage 1 in 2024. To find a Frenchman on the podium after stage 5, you have to go back to Julian Alaphilippe in Colmar in 2019. The rider from Normandie is now 24 years, 2 months and 13 days old. The last Frenchman this young to be in the top 5 of an individual time trial was Armand de las Cuevas in 1992! He finished 2nd of the time trial in Luxembourg, at 24 years and 17 days old.

09/07/2025 – Tour de France 2025 – Étape 5 – Caen / Caen (33 km CLM) – Ivan ROMEO (MOVISTAR TEAM) – Photo © A.S.O.

21: ROMEO, YOUNG AND (ALREADY) FAST
The youngest rider in the peloton, Ivan Romeo, finished 7th today. At 21 years, 10 months and 23 days, the Spaniard is the youngest rider to finish in the top 10 in an individual time trial since Dmitriy Ignatyev, 3rd in Annecy in 2009 at the age of 21 years and 26 days. Tadej Pogacar won the time trial at La Planche des Belles Filles in 2020, but he was slightly older than Romeo (21 years, 11 months and 29 days).

18: POGAČAR EQUALS CLAVEYROLAT
With no points awarded in Caen, Tadej Pogačar retains his polka dot jersey, the 18th of his career. He equals Thierry Claveyrolat as the 8th cyclist with the most polka dot jerseys. Next up is Bernard Vallet, who has worn the jersey 20 times.

21: EVENEPOEL BACK IN WHITE
Today’s winner, Remco Evenepoel, took the lead in the young rider classification and collected his 21st white jersey. Since his Tour debut last year, he has consistently led this ranking, excepting stage 1 in 2024 and stages 1 to 4 this year. That’s 21 of the 26 stages contested so far!


Stage 5 Results (Caen > Caen, 33km ITT):

    1. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) 36:42
    2. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +16″
    3. Edoardo Affini (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) +33″
    4. Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) +35″
    5. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) +49″
    6. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) +58″
    7. Ivan Romeo Abad (Movistar Team) +1:02″
    8. João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +1:14″
    9. Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla) +1:17″
    10. Pablo Castrillo Zapater (Movistar Team) +1:18″

General Classification after Stage 5:

    • Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 17:22:58
    • Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) +42″
    • Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) +59″
    • Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) +1:13″
    • Matteo Jorgenson (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) +1:22″
    • Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +1:28″
    • João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +1:53″
    • Primož Roglič (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) +2:30″
    • Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) +2:31″
    • Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) +2:32″

Current Jersey Holders after Stage 5:

    • Yellow Jersey (Overall Leader): Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
    • Green Jersey (Points Classification): Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
    • Polka Dot Jersey (King of the Mountains): Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
    • White Jersey (Best Young Rider): Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) 
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