Remco Evenepoel delivered a blistering performance in Stage 4 of the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné, demolishing the competition in the individual time trial and snatching the race lead in emphatic fashion.
Racing over a 17.4-kilometre route from Charmes-sur-Rhône to Saint-Péray, the reigning Olympic and World Time Trial Champion clocked a jaw-dropping 20:50.90, averaging 50 km/h on a course that offered little margin for error. His time left pre-race favorites Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard trailing by 49 and 20 seconds, respectively, in what was the first true general classification shake-up of the race.
Evenepoel’s ride not only secured him the yellow jersey but also marked a major milestone—victory number 1,000 for his team.
“My goal was to push hard until the intermediate split, then keep a consistent pace to the line,” Evenepoel explained after the stage. “With the headwinds on both sides of the climb, I was able to capitalize on my aerodynamic position and power output. The pacing plan was spot on.”
The 25-year-old Belgian didn’t initially aim to take the overall lead, but the result left no doubt about his intentions for the week ahead.
“I just wanted the stage win—GC wasn’t the first objective. But it’s a special win. Number 1,000 for the team, and a tribute to Patrick [Lefevere], who’s done so much for us. This one’s for him.”
The magnitude of Evenepoel’s performance was underlined by the gaps to his rivals. Notably, he gained more than a second per kilometer on Pogačar, considered one of the strongest all-around riders in the world.
“It’s a short course, so that kind of time difference is big,” Evenepoel noted. “I’m proud and really satisfied with how I felt on the bike today.”
The route, although relatively short, included a punchy mid-stage climb with a punishing 15% gradient, where many riders were seen battling their setups. Tobias Foss (Ineos Grenadiers) was among the early benchmarks, finishing in 22:00.20, until French specialist Rémi Cavagna (Groupama-FDJ) shaved a few seconds off with a 21:57.21.
But it was the later starters who reshaped the standings. American Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike) surged to the top of the leaderboard with a sharp 21:28.69, even outpacing Pogačar. Meanwhile, Magnus Sheffield (Ineos Grenadiers) had a tense start after a quick mechanical adjustment at the ramp, but got away cleanly.
As the GC heavyweights rolled out, the tension mounted. Vingegaard and Evenepoel both made quick work of their minute men, powering up the climb with apparent ease. Evenepoel, in particular, looked untouchable—passing two riders on his way to the finish and obliterating Jorgenson’s time by a full 30 seconds.
The win vaults Evenepoel to the top of the general classification, four seconds ahead of Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe). Vingegaard now sits fifth overall, 16 seconds back, with Pogačar in eighth at 38 seconds. Jorgenson holds ninth, just a second behind the Slovenian.
Stage 4 marked the first real GC test of the week, and it gave fans a taste of what’s to come in the Tour de France, with the “Big Three” from last year’s podium—Evenepoel, Pogačar, and Vingegaard—all flexing their muscles.
With several mountain stages still to come, the race is far from decided. But one thing is certain: Remco Evenepoel is more than ready to fight for yellow.
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