Stage 7 of the 2025 Tour de France, a grueling 197-kilometer ride from Saint-Malo to Mûr-de-Bretagne (Guerlédan), delivered a fierce battle among the general classification contenders and concluded with a dramatic uphill sprint victory by Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). He was followed closely by Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike) in second place, while Oscar Onley (Picnic–PostNL) crossed the line in third after a superbly timed climb. The double ascent of the brutal Mûr-de-Bretagne served as the perfect battleground for the GC elite, and it was Pogačar who emerged strongest, reclaiming the coveted yellow jersey in the process.
The stage began under sunny skies as the peloton rolled out from the scenic port of Saint-Malo. Early aggressors sought to animate the day, with riders such as Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), Ewen Costiou and Alex Baudin (Arkéa–B&B Hotels), Marco Haller (Tudor), and Iván García Cortina (Movistar) forging a breakaway that never gained more than two minutes. UAE Team Emirates and Alpecin–Deceuninck were vigilant in controlling the pace, keeping their sights firmly on the finale at Mûr-de-Bretagne.
As the race approached the final 20 kilometers, the breakaway began to splinter. Only Ewen Costiou held out for a few more kilometers before being swallowed up just after the penultimate climb of the Mûr. With all escapees caught, the big names took center stage. The final 15 kilometers saw tension escalate, especially with the looming second ascent of the punchy Breton climb.
Disaster struck inside the last six kilometers when a crash among the front group brought down several contenders. João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) were among those affected, and Jack Haig was forced to abandon. Almeida remounted and courageously finished the stage, though clearly in pain and later diagnosed with fractured ribs—an ominous development for UAE’s overall strategy.
With the peloton thinned by the crash, a select group of contenders approached the final ascent. UAE Team Emirates took control, driving the pace with clear intent. Pogačar sat near the front, shadowed by Vingegaard and Evenepoel. At 250 meters to go, Pogačar launched his signature uphill attack. Vingegaard responded but could not match the Slovenian’s acceleration. Onley timed his effort well from behind, finishing just two seconds back and earning his first career podium on a Tour de France stage.
Pogačar’s victory not only marked his second stage win of the 2025 Tour, but it also saw him don the yellow jersey once more. He now leads the general classification by 54 seconds over Remco Evenepoel, with Frenchman Kevin Vauquelin moving into third overall. Despite the joy of victory, Pogačar’s post-race comments were tempered by concern for Almeida, to whom he dedicated the win. His team had executed a tactically flawless stage—controlling the tempo, protecting their leader, and launching the decisive move when it mattered most.
Stage 7 was a reminder of Pogačar’s devastating climbing prowess and tactical acumen. With the Pyrenees looming on the horizon, the 2025 Tour de France is already shaping up to be a fierce duel between the reigning GC titans.
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