Vingegaard and Pogacar Face Off on Tour de France's First Big Mountain Battle
What a day it’s been at the Tour de France 2025, as Stage 12 took the peloton deep into the Pyrenees, finishing at the daunting summit of Hautacam. This stage was always going to be a turning point, and from the moment the flag dropped in Auch, the intensity was unmistakable.
Right from the start, the pace was red-hot. Riders like Ben O’Connor, Julian Alaphilippe, and Alexey Lutsenko tried to force early breaks. And let’s not forget Victor Campenaerts, who gave it a go only to be reeled in swiftly. There was tension in the air—the kind that says something big is coming. And with four categorized climbs, including the brutal Col du Soulor and the Hautacam summit finish, it was clear that today wasn’t just about who had the legs, but also who had the guts.
The peloton eventually split dramatically, and that massive group of about 45 riders off the front created real chaos. Names like Guillaume Martin, Mathieu van der Poel, and Carlos Rodriguez made the cut, while several jersey contenders, including Remco Evenepoel and green jersey Jonathan Milan, found themselves on the wrong side of the divide. That early split showed just how tactical and unpredictable these mountain stages can be.
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What made today even more emotional was the minute’s silence held for Samuele Privitera, the young rider tragically killed in a crash in Italy. The entire cycling world paused to honor his memory, and it reminded us all how dangerous this sport can be. Tadej Pogacar spoke movingly about the loss, calling it “devastating” and a sobering reminder of the risks riders face every day.
And speaking of Pogacar—yes, he’s bruised and bandaged after yesterday’s crash, but he’s still charging. “My legs are more important than my arms,” he said with the kind of quiet determination we’ve come to expect from him. Riding with torn skin on his arm and pain in his hip and shoulder, he’s still holding on, backed by his incredibly strong UAE team.
Meanwhile, Jonas Vingegaard sounded every bit the mountain predator we know him to be. “There’s no hiding today,” he said before the stage, knowing full well that this 13.5km final climb up the Hautacam was going to be an all-out war. He looked calm but focused—exactly what you’d expect from a man who conquered this same climb in 2022.
And let’s not overlook the bigger picture. With the general classification tightening and key stages looming, this is where the Tour really begins. Forget the flat stages and minor sprints—Stage 12 was a statement. The mountains have arrived, and with them, the Tour de France’s real drama. Whether it’s a strategic masterstroke from a breakaway or a head-to-head battle between Pogacar and Vingegaard, today set the tone for the rest of the race.
One thing is certain: if you weren’t watching today, you missed one of the most pivotal chapters of this year’s Tour. From the pain, the passion, the chaos, and the courage—Stage 12 had it all. And it’s far from over.
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