Drama, Climbs, and Crashes: Stage 2 of the Tour de France Delivers on Every Front
Stage 2 of the 2025 Tour de France unfolded like a gripping thriller along the northern coast of France, stretching 209.1 kilometers from Lauwin-Planque to Boulogne-sur-Mer. While many expected a relatively controlled stage after the chaos of day one, what we got was anything but predictable. It was a day laced with crashes, mechanicals, relentless pace, and a finale designed for puncheurs and General Classification (GC) contenders alike.
From the neutral start, the tension was already noticeable. Rain made an early appearance, soaking the riders and roads alike, setting the tone for what would be a dramatic day. A four-man breakaway — Brent Van Moer, Andreas Leknessund, Bruno Armirail, and Yevgeniy Fedorov — got clear early on, gaining a buffer of more than two minutes. However, wet corners proved treacherous, with both Fedorov and Leknessund crashing in the breakaway due to slippery roads. They remounted and rejoined, but their rhythm had been rattled.
Meanwhile, the peloton saw its own share of mayhem. Mechanical issues plagued riders like Arnaud De Lie and Nelson Oliveira, while crashes involving Fred Wright, Eddie Dunbar, and Alexis Renard disrupted the chase and splintered groups. At one point, Van Eetvelt even slid into a ditch, though thankfully without serious injury.
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Despite these setbacks, the race settled into a fierce tactical battle. Teams like Alpecin-Deceuninck, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and Visma-Lease a Bike controlled the peloton, steadily reeling in the breakaway. As they approached the Côte de Cavron-Saint-Martin, a short but sharp Category 4 climb, the peloton’s pace intensified, triggered by the looming threat of crosswinds and the desire to protect GC hopefuls. Leknessund snagged the KOM point here, joining Jonas Vingegaard in second in the mountain classification.
The coastal finale into Boulogne-sur-Mer was tailor-made for riders like Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and Tadej Pogačar — punchy climbers with power and timing. With crosswinds looming and narrow, technical roads in the final kilometers, positioning became everything. Teams hustled to the front, jostling for space and protecting their leaders, aware that a single lapse in concentration could cost them dearly.
Jasper Philipsen, fresh off his win in Stage 1 and proudly donning the maillot jaune, remained safe but was unlikely to defend it today due to the terrain. The focus instead shifted to GC riders. Pogačar and Vingegaard stayed vigilant, and unlike yesterday, there were no major losses among the overall contenders, though several had to dig deep to hold position.
Ultimately, it was a day that showcased the unpredictable beauty of the Tour de France — a race where anything can happen over every kilometer. Crashes, comebacks, and bold breakaways kept fans on edge, while the punishing finish reminded everyone that even in the opening days, the fight for yellow is very real.
With Philipsen’s yellow jersey still in the mix and the GC battle simmering, all eyes now turn to Stage 3. If Stage 2 was any indication, we’re in for a thrilling three weeks.
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