XRG’s Tadej Pogacar knows the road to a fourth Tour de France title won’t be an easy cruise through the French countryside — and as

Belgium’s Tim Merlier won his second stage at this year’s Tour de France on Sunday, outsprinting Jonathan Milan and Arnaud De Lie in Châteauroux, but the real story of the day was an incredible day-long break from Alpecin-Deceuninck pair Mathieu van der Poel and Jonas Rickaert.

Tim Merlier powered past Jonathan Milan to win stage nine of the Tour de France on Sunday, denying the green jersey holder back-to-back wins after Mathieu van der Poel's audacious solo attack ended in heartbreak just 700 metres from the finish.

Three-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar won Stage 4 after several late climbs and inched closer to yellow jersey holder Mathieu van der Peul.

Analysis of the fifth stage of the 2025 Tour de France, a 33km time trial starting and finishing in the city of Caen

Pogačar is the overwhelming favorite to win a fourth Tour title and has been the best rider since the start of the Tour last weekend.

After a wild start to the 2025 Tour de France, which has seen crashes and crosswinds cause havoc in the peloton to go with some sensation racing and memorable wins, the race finally reaches the mountains – or at least some very big hills.

Two days later, on stage four to Rouen, Vingegaard resembled one of the world’s best puncheurs, as well as one of its best climbers. Following Pogacar’s attack in the closing kilometres, Vingegaard produced the best one-minute power effort of his career, matching the Slovenian’s famed acceleration.