It's not just Philipsen that Hermsen can see taking early glory at the 2025 Tour though, the pundit also predicts some success for Team Visma | Lease a Bike superstar Wout van Aert, who previously wore the Maillot Jaune for 4 days back in 2022. "The first three days are actually a kind of Flemish semi-Classic," Hermsen notes. "The second stage of the Tour is also a really tough stage, perhaps the toughest of the Tour. The wind always blows there. If
Wout van Aert participates, he will win that stage. I can tell you that already."
Probably the toughest stage of the opening week comes on stage 6. "3700 meters of elevation over 200 kilometres. That is really a hilly stage, a tough ride," Hermsen's colleague Bobbie Traksel previews. "They rode the French championship there last year. Well, that is one of them. The day before is a flat time trial that is really reserved for the time trialists. Remco Evenepoel will be very happy with this time trial."