Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) triumphed in Stage 5 of the 2025 Tour de France, winning the 33-kilometer individual time trial with an impressive display of power and technique. The Belgian’s time was unmatched, and he finished ahead of Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), who took second, and Edoardo Affini (Visma | Lease a Bike), who claimed third. Evenepoel’s victory, which catapulted him further into contention for the overall general classification, was a result of his flawless execution on a flat, fast course.
The stage, a 33-kilometer race against the clock, was a true test of speed and precision. With no climbs to disrupt the rhythm, the time trial relied on the riders’ ability to maintain maximum effort over the entire distance. The course featured some technical sections and windy stretches, but the absence of major ascents allowed for full power output. Evenepoel, one of the strongest time trialists in the peloton, wasted no time asserting his dominance, setting a blistering pace from the start and never looking back.
Pogačar, the two-time Tour de France champion, was one of the final riders to start and gave a valiant effort, but Evenepoel’s pace was too strong. Pogačar finished second, 14 seconds behind the Belgian, and while he couldn’t close the gap, his ride was solid enough to keep him in a good position in the overall standings.
Edoardo Affini (Visma | Lease a Bike), known for his consistency in time trials, delivered a well-paced performance to secure third place. Affini’s efforts were rewarded with a place on the podium, and his ride demonstrated the excellent form he’s been in leading up to the Tour.
Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), last year’s runner-up and a serious contender for the yellow jersey, had a disappointing time trial performance. The Dane finished 13th, more than a minute down on Evenepoel, and lost significant time to his main rivals. Vingegaard, known for his steady time-trialing ability, struggled to find his rhythm on the flat course and paid the price in the overall classification.
Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma), another top contender, finished 12th, also well behind Evenepoel. Despite his time trial pedigree, Roglič couldn’t quite match the pace of the leaders on the flat terrain. Like Vingegaard, Roglič lost valuable seconds that will make his battle for the overall title even more challenging as the Tour progresses.
Evenepoel’s victory not only put him on top of the stage but also propelled him higher in the general classification. His time trial skills, combined with his strong all-around form, make him a serious contender for the yellow jersey as the Tour heads into the more mountainous stages.
After the race, Evenepoel was elated with his performance. “I’m really happy with how today went,” he said. “It was a tough stage with some windy sections, but I felt really good. Time trials are one of my specialties, and I gave it everything. This win is a big boost for the overall race, and I’m excited for the rest of the Tour.”
Pogačar, though unable to take the win, remained upbeat: “Remco was too strong today. I gave everything I had, but it wasn’t enough. I’m happy with second, and I’m still in a strong position in the overall classification. I’m looking forward to the upcoming stages.”
Affini, who secured third, was also pleased with his ride. “It’s a great result for me,” he said. “I’m happy with the performance and the podium finish. The team has been incredibly supportive, and this result is a testament to the work we’ve done.”
Vingegaard, finishing 13th, acknowledged that it wasn’t his best day: “I’m disappointed with how things went. I couldn’t find my rhythm, and I lost more time than I wanted. There’s still a lot of racing left, though, and I’ll focus on the upcoming stages to make up for this.”
Roglič, finishing 12th, took the result in stride: “It wasn’t the best performance, but it’s a long race. The time trial didn’t go as I hoped, but I’ll keep working hard. There are still plenty of stages where I can make a difference.”
Evenepoel’s win in Stage 5 now puts him in a stronger position in the general classification, and the time gaps from this stage will certainly have an impact on the rest of the Tour. With Vingegaard and Roglič losing time, they’ll have to dig deep in the coming mountain stages to claw back any time. Pogačar, meanwhile, remains a constant threat, and the battle for the yellow jersey will continue to intensify as the race moves forward.
As the 2025 Tour de France enters its next stages, all eyes will be on Evenepoel, Pogačar, Vingegaard, and Roglič, each of whom has their own strategies for claiming the ultimate prize. With the time trial now behind them, the climbers will be eager to make their moves, and the overall standings will continue to shift. The Tour de France is far from decided, and Stage 5 has only set the stage for the drama to unfold in the mountains to come.
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