"Mathieu was stronger at the finish today. Chapeau to him" - Tadej Pogacar made to wait for first Tour de France stage win of 2025 but takes the polka-dot jersey

It seems like a matter of when, not if Tadej Pogacar will win a stage of the 2025 Tour de France, but on stage 2 this Sunday afternoon, the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader was denied victory in a thrilling uphill sprint by his Spring Classics rival Mathieu van der Poel.

Although he missed out on the stage win and the Maillot Jaune that would have come with it, Pogacar is able to enjoy the benefits of a polka-dot jersey on stage 2 thanks to the 3 points he picked up through his efforts. "I think I’ve only worn it one day so far in six Tour de France editions. So tomorrow is going to be the second day ever in the polka-dot jersey, I think — if I counted right," he says of the fact in a post-stage interview. "And I’m looking forward to it, because people like it. People like the Polka. And it’s a special feeling, riding in this jersey."

And whilst beating Van der Poel and winning the stage might have proven a step too far, Pogacar did manage to get the better of Jonas Vingegaard, gaining some bonus seconds on his main Maillot Jaune rival. "It was a really amazing stage. I mean, it had everything — rain, stress, hectic moments, danger, short climbs... just like a classic stage. And I was feeling good in the end," Pogacar analyses. "As a team, we rode really well. But yeah, Mathieu was stronger at the finish today. Chapeau to him. I’m super happy to take second."