06/07/2025
🚴♂️ Tour de France 2025 — Stage 2: Lauwin‑Planque to Boulogne‑sur‑Mer (209 km)
🗣️ “And once more, the peloton sets sail on the northern plains—this time, the stage will be won on the ramps of Boulogne!”
A day made for storytellers and surprise heroes. The longest stage of this year’s race, weaving through the Hauts‑de‑France countryside, promised intrigue. And it delivered.
🌧️ After a damp start and stormy skies, a quartet of riders tried their luck early—only to be swallowed again as the clouds lifted and the plot thickened.
🔥 With 2 550 m of climbing, the finale teased the punchers: a series of short, brutal ramps cooked the legs. Then, as riders surged over Saint‑Étienne‑au‑Mont and Outreau, the field shattered.
And there, in that sacred moment, Mathieu van der Poel—the “Flying Dutchman”—struck. He blasted past Tadej Pogacar in a breathtaking finish along the boulevard, mere bike lengths ahead, to claim his second stage victory of this Tour—and grab the yellow jersey from his teammate Philipsen   .
🌟 Tadej Pogacar—chasing his 100th win—crossed just four seconds back. Jonas Vingegaard, with eyes always on GC, rounded out the podium in third, six seconds adrift .
A late spark came from Florian Lipowitz—his daring move inside the final kilometre nearly upset the giants. Though eventually caught, his audacious ride earned plaudits .
🎗️ Jersey standings after Stage 2:
• Yellow: Mathieu van der Poel, +4″ over Pogacar, +6″ over Vingegaard .
• Green (points): Jasper Philipsen leads with 71 pts .
• Polka-dot: Pogacar’s punch earned him early KOM points .
• White (young): Kévin Vauquelin sits fourth overall, in contention