The traditional final stage to Paris returns to the Tour de France 2025 after a one-year absence. Last year, the final stage was exceptionally held in Nice due to the Olympic Games in the French capital. That change inspired the ASO, because the centuries-old tradition of a drink on the way to the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées seems to be over. With the addition of Montmartre (fresh from the Olympic road race), the final stage also promises excitement. Cyclingflash looks ahead!
After a one-year absence due to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, the Tour de France returns traditionally for its final stage to the French capital Paris. The love between the ASO and the iconic Champs-Élysées finish remains intact, after the start in Mantes-la-Ville. The suburb of Paris is especially known for two famous manufacturers of musical instruments.
Buffet-Crampon makes world-renowned clarinets, while Selmer does the same for saxophones. After the yellow jersey holder raises a glass of champagne and two short climbs, we arrive via the world-famous Louvre museum at the traditional route to and from the Arc de Triomphe. But this year, appearances are deceiving.
The ASO has included Montmartre in the course during the last few laps. Three times even. The cobbled climb – the Butte Montmartre – was part of the 2024 Olympic road race route. This cobbled climb towards the Sacré-Cœur is one kilometer long with an average gradient of 6.5%.
We saw attacks here by Mathieu van der Poel, but the Dutchman said after the race it wasn’t tough enough to make a difference. Ultimately, it was Remco Evenepoel who soloed to gold in the men’s race. The big question in this test case is whether Montmartre can prevent the usual scenario of a mass sprint on the Champs-Élysées and bring us a contest. The summit of the final climb is 6.5 kilometers from the finish line.
Stage winner and classification leaders after stage 20
More than in previous years, this final stage in the Tour de France is truly something to look forward to. The addition of the Montmartre climb is also a special event for the riders themselves, as no one really knows what to expect. Of course, you can consider the performances during the Olympic road race as a first benchmark, but the situation in this Tour stage will be somewhat different.
Beforehand, the final stage received quite a bit of criticism. Among others, Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, and Jonas Vingegaard raised concerns about the safety of potentially wet cobbles and narrow streets with a large peloton. Alpecin-Deceuninck, the team of Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen, viewed the addition of the cobbled climb as an asset. They probably would have been the top favorites here if they were still in the race.
We now see this stage as one in which classic riders with a good sprint can score. That quickly brings you to Wout van Aert. Due to circumstances, this hasn't been his best Tour de France, but you can always expect something special from Van Aert. Especially since those cobbled sections suit him like no other rider. And if he can escape in a small group, he is still one of the faster men.
"I am tired, but still motivated," Van Aert said positively before the twentieth stage, in which he made quite an impression from halfway through. The whole Visma | Lease a Bike team can really race on the course with the Montmartre climb. Matteo Jorgenson, Victor Campenaerts, and Tiesj Benoot also like such a cobbled climb.
What about Jonathan Milan? If this were a one-day race, the Italian from Lidl-Trek would probably be the biggest favorite in the current start list, but a grand tour really wears on the stocky sprinter. You saw that in the stage to Pontarlier, where he had to drop out quite early. Nonetheless, as the third-place finisher in Gent-Wevelgem, he can handle a cobbled climb and is therefore among the main favorites.
We suspect that Thibau Nys and Jasper Stuyven will sacrifice themselves for Milan, but otherwise, Stuyven is definitely a strong contender too. He is one of the best classics specialists of recent years and can ride quite well solo. Nys is not particularly fond of cobbles but is explosive. It works to his advantage that several specialists have already abandoned. And we must not forget in-form Quinn Simmons.
Other fast men such as Tim Merlier, Dylan Groenewegen, and Jordi Meeus are expected less, and they themselves have suggested that stage seventeen was probably their last chance for a stage win. Someone we do see as a contender is Biniam Girmay. Although last year’s green jersey wearer is not in top form, he should be able to handle this route. The same goes for Arnaud De Lie, though the Lotto sprinter dropped out very quickly in stage twenty.
Another fast man who definitely deserves mention is Kaden Groves. The Australian from Alpecin-Deceuninck is not particularly at home on cobbles, but his sprint performs by definition better after a grueling race. In fact, Groves showed on Saturday that he can even win solo. The Australian never thought he would get his own chance here, but after the withdrawals of Philipsen and Van der Poel, the fifth-place finisher from Milan-San Remo is a dangerous customer.
And why wouldn’t Tadej Pogacar dare to get involved again? The yellow jersey holder could seal a unique milestone if he wins on the Champs-Élysées. According to Jan Bakelants, he’s been riding apathetically during the final week, but perhaps those short cobbled climbs will bring the fun back to his racing style. Attack, don’t think, and blast over the cobbles with teammates Tim Wellens, Nils Politt, and Jhonatan Narvaez. Deal, Pogi?
And of course, there are still plenty of crowd-pleasers slash classics specialists. Think of Julian Alaphilippe and Matteo Trentin (Tudor), Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) who even already has a stage win, Mike Teunissen (XDS Astana), Pascal Eenkhoorn (Soudal Quick-Step), Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious), Axel Laurance (INEOS Grenadiers), and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies).
We hope the weather on Sunday does not spoil things. Up to 2 mm of precipitation is expected in the afternoon and evening, although the chance is currently about 65%. The organizers have already promised to neutralize time gaps in the classification in such a case. Temperatures are forecasted to reach 23 degrees Celsius according to Weeronline, with a northwest wind blowing at 3 Beaufort.
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Mantes-la-Ville) Paris)
Van Aert on the attack - photo: Cor Vos
Too tough or not for Milan? - photo: Cor Vos
Arnaud De Lie can go any way - photo: Cor Vos
