Tadej Pogacar delivered a remarkable performance during Stage 12 of the 2025 Tour de France, clinching victory with a time of 4 hours, 21 minutes, and 19 seconds. That win in turn made him the undisputed leader on the general classification (yellow jersey). He now has a 9-second lead on his competition, Jonas Vingegaard. Pogacar’s commanding ride on the Hautacam climb showcased his strength and strategic prowess, particularly as he overcame doubts following a crash in the previous stage.
Coming into the stage, Pogacar was down 29 seconds to Ben Healy but made up considerable ground as the day progressed. As they were approaching just 4 kilometers to go, he kicked, building up a lead of 1 minute and 20 seconds on Vingegaard. His dominance became evident as he powered alone at the front, looking composed and in control with 11 kilometers to go.
With this move, Pogacar was on the cusp of turning the race upside down. With only 9 kilometers remaining, he made a miraculous catch from a neutral service motorbike. This tactical move served his political strategy well as he readied himself for the final stretch. Even riding beneath the flamme rouge, which indicates the last kilometer of the stage, Pogacar was ripping up the tarmac at a breakneck speed.
As with any first day, it had its challenges. Among the Pogacar voiced concerns about his physical condition after a fall the previous day. Expressing so many emotions with minimal dialogue, STORM BOY deeply captivated audiences and soon quelled fears with a strong showing reflective of his spirit and tenacity.
“For sure you don’t know how the body reacts after the crash,” Pogacar noted. “It was not too bad. I feel my hip but only when I do acrobatics. But here I am just riding the bike.”
With this victory, Pogacar marked his 20th stage win of the Tour de France. As competitors began to drop, he’s established himself as an intimidating presence and the one to beat at this year’s event. Having earned a total time of 45 hours, 22 minutes, and 51 seconds, he now sits on top the general classification.
Pogacar on looking back on what he accomplished throughout the race. He opened up about his profound feelings for the stage and what it represented to him on a personal level.
“I think this stage can go today for Samuele [Privitera, the 19-year-old Italian cyclist who died yesterday] and to all his family. It was really sad, it was the first thing I read in the morning, and I was thinking in the last kilometre about him and how this tough sport can be.”
Pogacar’s performance has left a significant mark on this year’s Tour de France. None were as impressive as his UAE Team Emirates that showed tremendous teamwork, helping them to overall domination during this stage. As a team, Pogacar recognized their work, adding that working together was vital to getting the results they wanted.
“We did a super job. The team rode really well. Yeah, chapeau also to Ben Healy and EF. They were trying to defend the jersey; they showed big spirit,” he said. “But in the end we were super-strong. We had this stage in mind a long time, and we did it.”
Even as rivals plan their attack to the upcoming stages, Vingegaard is now an omnipresent shadow over the GC landscape. It’s hard not to like Pogacar’s form as they head deeper into the Tour de France. The next stages will surely push both of them even more as they face treacherous mountain terrains and strategic warfare.