Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Deceuninck) claimed a spectacular victory in Stage 2 of the 2025 Tour de France with a powerful uphill sprint into Boulogne-sur-Mer, timing his attack to perfection on the final drag to the line. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) finished second after launching his sprint too early, while Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike) showed strong early form by taking third, just seconds behind the leaders.
After a chaotic and fast-paced Stage 1 won by Jasper Philipsen, Stage 2 was anticipated as a brutal test of endurance and tactical depth. Featuring four categorized climbs in the final third, worsening weather, and a lumpy coastal finale, the stage presented an opportunity for puncheurs and GC contenders to assert themselves early in the Tour.
Rain began falling as riders lined up in Lauwin‑Planque. Organizers delayed the start by 15 minutes due to logistics issues, and teams quickly revised strategy to account for dangerous road conditions and potential crosswinds in the second half of the stage.
A four-man breakaway formed in the opening 20 km, featuring:
- Brent Van Moer (Lotto Dstny)
- Yevgeniy Fedorov (Astana Qazaqstan)
- Rémi Cavagna (Movistar)
- Julien Bernard (Lidl–Trek)
The quartet gained just under two minutes before the peloton—driven primarily by Alpecin-Deceuninck, UAE, and INEOS—kept them on a tight leash. Cavagna picked up minor mountain points before sitting up with 80 km to go. The remaining trio were swept up with around 50 km to go as the race approached the technical, hilly terrain near Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Riders encountered a succession of short, punchy climbs in the final 40 km:
- Côte de Saint-Martin-Boulogne (Cat 3)
- Côte d’Outreau (Cat 4)
- Côte de Baincthun (Cat 4)
- Côte de la Capelle-les-Boulogne (Cat 3)
This terrain began to fragment the peloton. Jasper Philipsen, green jersey holder, lost contact on the second climb. Visma–Lease a Bike moved Matteo Jorgenson forward to put pressure on UAE, while INEOS Grenadiers protected Pidcock and Bernal.
Rain intensified on the descents, causing several crashes and splits. David Gaudu lost contact after being caught behind a fall at 27 km to go. No major GC riders were taken out, but tension remained high in the bunch.
Jonas Vingegaard launched a probing attack with 8 km remaining, drawing immediate reaction from UAE and Visma teammates. Kévin Vauquelin attempted a follow-up surge but was quickly reeled in.
At 5 km to go, BORA–hansgrohe’s Florian Lipowitz countered with a promising move, building a 7-second gap before the combined chase of UAE, Visma, and Alpecin pulled him back under the 2 km banner.
With the peloton reduced to around 30 riders, the sprint was launched on a damp, narrow, uphill road. Pogačar surged first with 200 meters to go, but Van der Poel followed closely, came around on the left, and delivered a blistering final 100 meters. The Dutchman punched the air as he crossed the line, earning his first ever Tour de France yellow jersey.
Vingegaard, slightly gapped in the closing meters, claimed third after an active and impressive ride in the final phase.
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