Van der Poel wins Stage two and snatches the Yellow Jersey

In a breathtaking display of endurance and tactical prowess, Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Deceuninck secured victory in Stage Two of the Tour de France, crossing the finish line first in Boulogne-sur-Mer and seizing the iconic yellow jersey

The former world champion showcased his exceptional sprinting ability during a challenging uphill finish, outpacing renowned competitors including Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), who finished second and third, respectively.

The stage unfolded with aggressive racing from the onset, as riders battled through a series of short, technical climbs that tested their limits. Van der Poel, demonstrating remarkable strength and strategy, launched his decisive sprint from the front of a reduced group of favorites, leaving Pogacar unable to close the gap despite a valiant effort.

"I was really motivated. It's been three or four years since I last won a stage, so it was about time I got another one," Van der Poel remarked after his victory. "It was super difficult; the final was actually harder than I thought. People said I was a favorite for today, but if you see which riders were up there on the climbs, I think I did a really good job to be there."

The stage featured a series of tough ascents that eliminated many of the faster sprinters from contention. A late attack by Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) added to the drama, but the efforts of UAE's João Almeida to reel him back in set the stage for Van der Poel's triumphant finish. As the riders approached the final stretch, the Dutch star's explosive power proved insurmountable, allowing him to fend off the competition and secure the lead in the general classification.

With this victory, Van der Poel not only claims the stage win but also takes the overall lead in the Tour de France, donning the prestigious yellow jersey as a symbol of his dominance in the race. The win marks Alpecin-Deceuninck's second stage victory in as many days, reinforcing the team's formidable presence in this year's competition.

As the Tour de France continues, cycling fans around the world will be eagerly watching Van der Poel's journey as he aims to maintain his lead against a field filled with fierce competitors. The excitement is palpable as the race unfolds, with each stage promising more thrilling moments and dramatic turns.

VIDEO: 2025 Tour de France Stage 2 Highlights

2025 Tour de France Stage 2 Top 10

2025 Tour de France GC after Stage 2

1  van der Poel Mathieu Alpecin-Deceuninck 08:38:42
2  Pogacar Tadej UAE Team Emirates-XRG + 04
3  Vingegaard Jonas Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 06
4  Vauquelin Kévin ARKEA-B&B HOTELS + 10
5  Jorgenson Matteo Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 10
6  Mas Enric Movistar Team + 10
7  Philipsen Jasper Alpecin-Deceuninck + 31
8  Blackmore Joe Israel-Premier Tech + 41
9  Johannessen Tobias Halland Uno-X Mobility + 41
10  O'Connor Ben Team Jayco-AlUla + 41