Pogačar Extends Yellow Jersey Lead in Tour de France Stage 18

Photo: WAM

Stage 18 of the 2025 Tour de France was one of the most difficult stages of the entire race. It is known as the "Queen stage" because it includes the hardest mountain climbs. The stage covered a distance of 182.6 kilometers and included over 5,000 meters of climbing. The cyclists had to ride through some of the most famous and challenging mountain passes in France: the Col du Glandon, Col de la Madeleine, and finally the Col de la Loze, which had a steep summit finish.

On this tough day, Tadej Pogačar from UAE Team Emirates-XRG gave a brilliant performance. He didn’t win the stage, but he finished second and gained more time in the overall race standings, known as the General Classification. His rival Jonas Vingegaard from the Visma-Lease a Bike team was left behind in the final few meters.

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The Battle Between the Best: Pogačar vs. Vingegaard

Throughout the race, Pogačar and Vingegaard have been the top two riders. In this stage, Vingegaard and his team tried their best to reduce Pogačar’s lead. They pushed hard during the climb on Col de la Madeleine and also sped up on the downhill sections, hoping to create a gap.

But Pogačar stayed calm. He did not rush or panic. He waited for help from his teammates. His smart racing skills and patience helped him stay close to Vingegaard until the final climb, where the real test began.

The Key Climbs: Col de Glandon, Madeleine, and Loze

This stage included three huge and famous climbs:

• Col du Glandon came early and started to test the riders' strength right away.

• Col de la Madeleine is long and steep, making it one of the most feared climbs in the Tour.

• Col de la Loze, where the stage finished, is known for its difficult slopes. Some parts of it are extremely steep and painful to ride up, especially after already climbing for so long.

These climbs made Stage 18 extremely tough and only the strongest riders could survive to the finish with good timing.

Turning Point: Vingegaard Attacks, But Pogačar Fights Back

With just 6 kilometers left in the race, Vingegaard made a strong move. He attacked suddenly, hoping to leave Pogačar behind. For a moment, it looked like he might take back some time.

But Pogačar didn’t fall for it. He increased his own speed and caught up with Vingegaard. His teammates, Adam Yates and Jhonatan Narváez, also stepped in at the right time. They rode in front of Pogačar, keeping the pace high, which made it harder for other riders to attack or catch up.

Because of this teamwork and smart planning, Pogačar stayed in control as they reached the final climb.

Stage Win for O’Connor, But Pogačar Wins the Time Battle

While the top rivals were racing behind, Ben O’Connor from the Jayco AlUla team had been in a breakaway group earlier in the day. He managed to stay ahead and win the stage. It was a strong and well-deserved victory for him.

But in the overall race, Pogačar was the one who came out as the real winner. About 350 meters from the finish line, he launched a quick and powerful sprint. That move allowed him to finish second in the stage, and more importantly, gain 11 seconds, including bonus time, on Vingegaard.

In a race like the Tour de France, even a few seconds can make a huge difference. And gaining time in such a tough stage was a big boost for Pogačar.

What Pogačar Said After the Stage

After the race, Pogačar shared his thoughts with the press. He said:

"I wanted the stage win, but the priority is the Yellow Jersey. Visma went hard on the Madeleine and downhill, but we kept our composure. There was no cooperation in the valley, so I waited for my teammates. On the final climb, Ben was strong, but I had good legs and held on to Yellow."

His words showed that he had a clear plan. He was more focused on the long-term goal of winning the overall race than just winning one stage.

Teammates Who Made the Difference

Pogačar’s teammates, especially Adam Yates and Jhonatan Narváez, were extremely important in this stage. In the final stretch, they took the lead and set a high pace. This not only helped Pogačar save energy but also made it difficult for rivals like Vingegaard and Oscar Onley to attack.

The team’s planning and teamwork were key to protecting the Yellow Jersey and making sure Pogačar stayed safe and strong.

Yellow Jersey Update: Pogačar in Command

After Stage 18, Tadej Pogačar now leads the general classification by nearly four and a half minutes. With only three stages left before the race ends in Paris, this is a strong lead.

It means that unless something goes very wrong, Pogačar is now the favorite to win the Tour de France again. But as always in cycling, anything can happen, so he still needs to stay focused.

What’s Next: Two More Mountains and Then Paris

Even though Stage 18 was called the Queen stage, there are still two difficult mountain stages left. These could be dangerous if Pogačar has a bad day or crashes. But if he continues to ride the way he did today, it will be very hard for anyone to catch him.

After the mountains, the final stage will be in Paris, where the race traditionally ends with a flat ride and a big celebration.

Pogačar commented on what’s ahead by saying, "Today was the Queen stage, and tomorrow is another big one. Three more to go, then vacation."

This shows that he is looking forward to the finish but knows he still has work to do.

Smart, Strong, and Focused

Tadej Pogačar showed why he is one of the best cyclists in the world. He didn’t panic when his rival attacked. He trusted his team. He used his energy wisely. And when the time was right, he made a move that helped him gain more time.

Stage 18 of the Tour de France tested every rider, but Pogačar passed that test with flying colors. With just a few days left in the race, all eyes are on him as he gets closer to winning the Yellow Jersey once again.