Wout van Aert Wins Solo in Paris After Rain-Soaked Spectacle with Tour 2025 Winner Tadej Pogacar

Neutralized finale in Paris
Meanwhile, news came from Paris that predicted rainfall would cause slippery conditions on the Champs-Élysées’ cobbles and on Montmartre’s pavement, prompting officials to stop timing at the fourth passage of the finish line. All riders still had to cross the finish, but the last 50 kilometers, including the three laps to Montmartre, only counted toward the stage victory.

After the first passage at the finish, where UAE Emirates XRG was first to cross, the racing truly began. Magnus Cort was the first to launch an attack, followed by several others trying their luck. Notably, Jonas Vingegaard took a strong turn upfront, wanting to give something back to his teammates on the final day. When the timing was halted, 50 kilometers from the finish, Quinn Simmons and white jersey Florian Lipowitz were narrowly ahead of the peloton.

Breakaway with Pogačar and Van Aert in the rain
Before the first climb of Montmartre, they were caught as the pace surged, especially driven by Alpecin-Deceuninck, Tudor, and Visma | Lease a Bike. On the climb, Julian Alaphilippe launched the first acceleration, followed by Arnaud De Lie, Pogačar, and Van Aert. They initiated a breakaway group of nearly 30 riders that remained after the descent. Jordi Meeus and Jonathan Milan missed the move and had to chase while a large part of the peloton believed in the break.

With 30 kilometers remaining, the rain started falling, making the cobbles even more challenging. Alongside Pogačar, Van Aert, De Lie, and Alaphilippe, riders including Victor Campenaerts, Matteo Jorgenson, Neilson Powless, Biniam Girmay, Axel Laurance, Jasper Stuyven, Kaden Groves, Kévin Vauquelin, Mike Teunissen, Pavel Bittner, Tobias Lund Andresen, Jenno Berckmoes, and Jonas Abrahamsen were involved. The stage winner was in this group.