Pogacar Extends Lead with Time Trial Triumph at Peyragudes

Tadej Pogacar, the reigning champion of the Tour de France, showcased his exceptional cycling prowess on Friday by winning the time trial on stage 13, further extending his lead in the overall standings to an impressive four minutes and seven seconds.

The 26-year-old rider from Team UAE completed the grueling 10.9km course, solidifying his dominance in this year's race.

Pogacar, who donned the iconic yellow jersey, was the last of the 171 riders to depart from the base of the Peyragudes mountain. Despite the fatigue from his previous day’s triumph, where he outpaced main rival Jonas Vingegaard by over two minutes, Pogacar’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He finished the time trial 36 seconds faster than Vingegaard, who secured second place, while Primoz Roglic took third, finishing 1 minute and 20 seconds behind.

The day’s competition unfolded under a blazing sun, with temperatures reaching a sweltering 30°C at the foot of the climb. Riders prepared for the challenge by donning ice jackets, a testament to the extreme conditions they faced. Australian champion Luke Plapp initially set the pace, occupying the hot seat until Vingegaard’s impressive ascent. However, Pogacar’s speed proved unbeatable, as he crossed the finish line at the Peyragudes Altiport, a site famously featured in the James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies."

“Today’s time trial was incredibly challenging, but I felt strong and focused,” said Pogacar after his victory. “The heat was intense, but I trained for this. Every second counts in the Tour, and I’m grateful for the support from my team and fans.”

The excitement is far from over, as stage 14 promises to be another grueling test for the riders, featuring approximately 50km of climbing. The stage kicks off with the legendary Col de Tourmalet and culminates at the Luchon-Superbagneres ski resort, a route that is sure to challenge even the most seasoned cyclists.

As Pogacar continues to assert his dominance in the Tour de France, cycling fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the next stages of this thrilling competition.

With his remarkable ability to push the limits, the question remains: can anyone catch the formidable Pogacar as he races toward a potential second consecutive Tour de France title?

VIDEO: 2025 Tour de France Stage 13 Highlights

2025 Tour de France Stage 13 Top 10

1  Pogacar Tadej UAE Team Emirates-XRG 23:00
2  Vingegaard Jonas Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 36
3  Roglic Primoz Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 01:20
4  Lipowitz Florian Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 01:56
5  Plapp Lucas Team Jayco-AlUla + 01:58
6  Jorgenson Matteo Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 02:03
7  Onley Oscar Team Picnic PostNL + 02:06
8  Yates Adam UAE Team Emirates-XRG + 02:15
9  Martinez Lenny Bahrain Victorious + 02:21
10  Gall Felix Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale + 02:22

2025 Tour de France GC after stage 13 Top 10

01  Pogacar Tadej UAE Team Emirates-XRG 45:45:51
02  Vingegaard Jonas Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 04:07
03  Evenepoel Remco Soudal Quick-Step + 07:24
04  Lipowitz Florian Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 07:30
05  Onley Oscar Team Picnic PostNL + 08:11
06  Vauquelin Kévin ARKEA-B&B HOTELS + 08:15
07  Roglic Primoz Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 08:50
08  Johannessen Tobias Halland Uno-X Mobility + 10:36
09  Gall Felix Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale + 11:43
10  Jorgenson Matteo Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 14:15