The cycling spectacle of the year has begun, and Tadej successfully passed the opening test of the 112th Tour de France, where he defends last year’s victory and chases his fourth yellow jersey. The start in northern France was far from easy, the 1st stage in Lille was strenuous and nervous from kilometer zero to the finish after 184.9 kilometers.
In challenging conditions, strong winds, and narrow roads, Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) and Stefan Bissegger (Decathlon AG2R) had the most bad luck, as they withdrew due to crashes. Tadej was well protected by his teammates from the UAE Team Emirates XRG, who were attentive enough even when the main group split 17 kilometers before the finish.
At the front, riders from the Visma Lease a Bike team of two-time Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard pulled ahead. Tadej followed them well together with Tim Wellens, who ensured that his captain rode to the finish without any problems.
Tadej did not get involved in the fight for the stage victory, which was celebrated by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin Deceuninck), who also became the first to wear the yellow jersey of the overall leader in this year’s Tour de France. Tadej finished in 18th place, Vingegaard 20th, and both gained 39 seconds on their rivals for the top in the GC, Primož Roglič (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick Step), who remained in the background when the peloton split in the wind.
»It was a hectic day, as we expected. In the end, the main group split, thanks to the whole team we were at the front. From kilometer zero we were at the front, which paid off for us. I’m glad the first day is behind me and we can move on. This is the start of a big week, nine more days are ahead of us until the first rest day. Then we will move on, but first we have to focus on these nine days,« Tadej is aware that he will have to be constantly attentive to what’s happening in the peloton.
Tomorrow he faces the 2nd, longest stage of the 2025 Tour. On the Lauwin-Planque–Boulogne-sur-Mer route, the riders will have to overcome 209.1 kilometers and 2,500 meters of elevation.