ANALYSIS: Move aside Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard! Will 2025 be the year of the sprinters?

In recent years, the cycling world has been captivated by the intense battles and storylines that have focussed on the general classification stars like Tadej Pogadar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel. Their duels at the Tour de France and other Grand Tours have dominated headlines, but 2025 is shaping up to be a season where we could see more of the world’s best sprinters going head-to-head at the same races.

With a field of top-tier fast men eager to make their mark, this could be the year where the points classification and stage wins become just as compelling as the race for the yellow jersey. Let’s take a look at some of the men that will be hoping to be king of the sprinters this season.

No sprinter made a bigger impact in 2024 than Biniam Girmay. Firstly, the Eritrean rider made history at the Tour de France when he powered to victory on Stage 3, becoming the first Black African cyclist to win a stage in the prestigious race. That victory was more than just a personal triumph, it was a landmark moment for African cycling, highlighting the growing diversity within the sport and proving that riders from non-traditional cycling nations could succeed at the highest level.

But Girmay wasn’t done there. By the end of the Tour, he had claimed two more stage wins and won the points classification, making him the first African rider to wear the green jersey in Paris. His ability to navigate chaotic sprints, hold his position in the peloton, and launch at just the right moment made him a formidable force in 2024, and there’s no doubt he’ll return in 2025 hungry to defend his title. His team, Intermarche-Wanty, has built an increasingly strong squad around him, and they believe he has the potential to take another major step forward. There is even talk of targeting a Monument victory, proving that his sprinting ability is not limited to stage races but could also shine in the Classics.

Could Girmay solidify his status as number in 2025?

In 2023, Jasper Philipsen was the undisputed king of the sprints at the Tour de France, winning four stages and comfortably securing the green jersey. But his dominance was disrupted in 2024 when Girmay emerged as a serious rival. Despite taking multiple stage victories, Philipsen had to settle for second place in the points classification even though he managed three stage wins, which shows you just how competitive last year’s Tour was.

Now, with the 2025 Tour on the horizon, Philipsen is desperate to reclaim his crown. His biggest advantage remains his partnership with Mathieu van der Poel, whose lead-out skills are among the best in the world. The 2023 world champion has played a crucial role in Philipsen’s success, guiding him into the perfect position for his final acceleration. The chemistry between the two is undeniable, with Philipsen himself acknowledging that van der Poel’s contributions have elevated his sprinting to new heights. With this partnership intact, he will once again be a major contender for green.

Even without Van der Poel, Philipsen is one of the fastest men in the peloton in his own right, and he could certainly turn the tide on Girmay this season.

One rider who will be keen to shake things up in 2025 is Tim Merlier. The Belgian sprinter has made a powerful start to the new season, proving that he is more than ready to return to the Tour de France. His victory on Stage 3 of the AlUla Tour, in a hectic sprint marred by crashes, showed that he has back to his best as he followed up on his win stage 1.

Merlier’s performances in early 2025 have backed up his team’s, Soudal - Quick-Step, decision to include him in their Tour squad. He has acknowledged that his results have ensured he will be one of the key riders for the Belgian outfit alongside Remco Evenepoel, and so Quick-Step will now tackle the Tour looking for stage wins with Merlier and a podium bid for Evenepoel. With a fast-finishing ability that has been tested in the biggest races, Merlier will have plenty of opportunities to take on the likes of Philipsen and Girmay when the sprints unfold in France this July. Merlier has only won one Tour stage before, back in 2021, and he will be desperate to add to his tally this year.

And now this leads us to perhaps the sprinter I am most excited about for 2025: Jonathan Milan. While Milan has been a dominant force in the Giro d’Italia’s points classification for the past two seasons, 2025 will mark his first appearance at the Tour de France. The Italian powerhouse has long been considered one of the brightest sprinting talents in the peloton, and now he will finally get the chance to test himself against the best in the biggest race of them all.

Milan has set ambitious goals for 2025, making it clear that he wants to push beyond his previous limits and establish himself as one of the fastest men in the world on the road. His strong performances in 2024, including success in the Giro and other key races, have proven that he has the raw speed and endurance to thrive in Grand Tours. Unlike some sprinters who rely solely on a well-drilled lead-out train, Milan has shown an ability to power through chaotic sprint finishes and find his own way to the line. That versatility will be crucial when facing the unpredictable nature of the Tour de France, and cycling fans should be licking their lips at the prospect of him taking on the likes of Girmay, Philipsen and Merlier at the Tour.

But there’s another added incentive at this year’s Tour that could make the sprints even more exciting.

One of the most exciting aspects of the 2025 Tour de France for sprinters is the rare opportunity to wear the yellow jersey. The first stage of the race is a flat sprinter-friendly stage, meaning that the winner will not only claim an early victory but will also don the most prestigious jersey in cycling. With no time trial or significant climbing to open the race, the fast men will be going all out to seize this historic opportunity.

For riders like Philipsen, Girmay, Milan, and Merlier, this adds another layer of motivation. Winning the first stage of the Tour de France is always prestigious, but to lead the race and wear yellow into the following stage, wow, that would be a career-defining moment for any sprinter.

Let’s just hope for their sake that a breakaway doesn’t spoil the party!

Beyond the main contenders, several other riders will be eager to make their mark in the fast finishes. Sam Bennett, who has struggled with consistency in recent years, is hoping to rediscover the form that once made him one of the best sprinters in the world. Arnaud De Lie continues to rise through the ranks and could be a dark horse in some of the key sprints. Olav Kooij, one of the most promising young sprinters, will be eager to showcase his talent against more experienced competition.

Another intriguing storyline is the return of Fabio Jakobsen. The Dutch sprinter endured a miserable 2024 season, failing to live up to expectations and leaving experts questioning his future at the top level. If he is to regain his status as one of the best, he will need a huge turnaround in 2025.

With so many top-tier sprinters aiming for success, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years. The battle for the green jersey at the Tour de France could be just as thrilling as the fight for the yellow jersey, and with stage wins up for grabs across all three Grand Tours, the sprinting hierarchy could see some major shifts. Fingers crossed all the riders navigate the sprints safely, so we can get a true show of who is the fastest man in the peloton.

Will Girmay continue his historic rise and defend his title? Can Philipsen reclaim his throne? Will Milan make an immediate impact in his Tour debut? Or could an outsider emerge to crash the party and steal the show? One thing is certain: 2025 is set to be a thrilling year to be fan of sprinters.