Evenepoel wins, but knows Pogacar is still the king: "He's taken a step up since the Dauphiné"
CyclingWednesday, 09 July 2025 at 18:22
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Follow us on GoogleEveryone saw it coming a bit, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive: Remco Evenepoel did what he had to do and convincingly won stage five of the Tour de France. In the time trial, he gave most of his podium rivals a serious beating, although Tadej Pogacar managed to stay reasonably close. The Belgian from Soudal Quick-Step is feeling very confident about what’s ahead.
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His status as the top favorite didn’t bother Evenepoel. He eats pressure for breakfast, though he remained realistic beforehand. “You never know, because you know that big guys like Edoardo (Affini, ed.) will also do well on this kind of course,” said Evenepoel in the flash interview. “They can save a bit more energy in finales like yesterday’s. I knew I had a good chance, but your legs still have to be there. Everything has to go according to plan, and it did. I didn’t feel like I could go any faster, and I’m happy with the win. It’s the second for our team.”
Earlier, Tim Merlier won stage three, and now Soudal Quick-Step has pocketed their second victory with this time trial. The world and Olympic time trial champion paced it perfectly. “I think my biggest strength was being able to hold the same pace at the finish as in the first 10 kilometers. I kept the tempo high, and we saw in the intermediate checks that I kept getting better and gained time in the last 7 or 8 kilometers. I paced it perfectly, everything was on point.”
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Praise for Pogacar: "He's taken a step forward compared to the Dauphiné"
In Caen, the 25-year-old Belgian put a massive 1 minute and 21 seconds into Vingegaard, moving ahead of the Dane from Visma | Lease a Bike in the general classification. But Pogacar – who finished second – remains ahead of him. The Slovenian showed that his weaker time trial at the Critérium du Dauphiné was just an exception. "Tadej was very strong today as well. With just 17 seconds between us, that’s only half a second per kilometer. Compared to the Dauphiné time trial, he’s taken a step forward. He’s shown he’s in top form. He’s the man to beat in this Tour de France."
Before the Tour, Evenepoel said he was aiming for the podium, believing Pogacar and Vingegaard might be out of reach. "Compared to the others, I did what I needed to do, taking as much time as possible on them in the GC. I think it’s a bit like last year with the time trial. I’m happy with that, it’s a big step towards the podium. But the Tour is still long: I’m just very happy with my performance today."
Evenepoel’s current position is excellent, and without the time loss on stage 1, he’d be just seconds away from the yellow jersey. But he remains cautious. "The Tour doesn’t end here, obviously. Everyone knows what’s coming – next week and the week after. There’s still a lot to do, but it’s always nice to take a stage win. It means the stage hunters in our team have already won, so we can relax a bit more now. The full focus is on the podium in Paris now."
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- - Enric saying “limit the damage” feels right, but he can’t keep giving Pog 5–10 seconds every summit. Minor gripe: the article glosses over Gall’s watts—would’ve loved some data. Grande etapa, pero faltan números, no?lindae28-08-2026
- - Red Bull-BORA with Roglič a minute back—does that gap matter this early or is it normal to let Pogačar have a cushion before the high mountains/time trial? Also, is Stage 9 a proper queen stage or just media hype?cadencekingm28-08-2026
- - Quick question: why did Decathlon take it up if it helped Pog in the end? Wouldn’t it have been better to sit on UAE’s tempo and wait? I’m still figuring out how these team tactics work on summit finishes.julien28-08-2026
- - Not sure I buy Mas’ “frustrated” angle. Pogacar just rode the numbers when Gall opened the gap, then closed and added six seconds for free. If that’s irritation, I hope my GC leader gets angry like that every day.samanthak28-08-2026
- - Gall looked sharp today. That Decathlon CMA CGM pull on the last climb actually made sense tactically—force UAE to respond, then Felix goes. Pog’s counter was vintage: measure, then sting. Stage 9 is going to be carnage if he’s already this comfy.patriciaw28-08-2026
- - Slightly sceptical about the piece framing it as frustration. The quotes from Pogacar read like he was in control. Maybe we’re overreading the body language?tourdeforce928-08-2026
- - “We’re here to win the GC, not to mess around.” That line says it all. He saved UAE’s matches and still gained time. Efficient as ever.andrewf28-08-2026
- - Can someone explain why Decathlon was pacing for Gall if he couldn’t follow when Pog pushed on? Is that a normal tactic or did it backfire?gearguru3328-08-2026
- - Mas stirring the pot a bit there. Don’t think Pog was “angry,” more like opportunistic when the gap opened. That steady-pace surge is his trademark. GC contenders behind must be fuming.patriciaw28-08-2026
- - Loved how Pogacar downplayed the drama. Classic Tadej: calm, clinical, and straight to the point. If Decathlon want to light it up for Gall, he’ll just ride them off his wheel anyway.lindae28-08-2026
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