"My last stage win was 4 years ago! It was time for another one" - Mathieu van der Poel reacts to stunning stage 2 win at 2025 Tour de France

Mathieu van der Poel has thundered into the Yellow Jersey at the 2025 Tour de France, winning his second ever stage of cycling's most illustrious with a powerful performance on stage 2, denying world champion Tadej Pogacar in a thrilling finale.

With a flurry of late attacks bringing out all the big names, the likes of Jonas Vingegaard, Matteo Jorgenson and Kevin Vauquelin were all on the attack at the front of the lead group. On the final climb to the line however, no one had the matching of Van der Poel as he led from the front, with only the aforementioned Pogacar even able to challenge the Alpecin-Deceuninck superstar at the line.

"The finale was a lot tougher than I expected," admitted Van der Poel in comments to the media shortly after his stage victory. "I was highly motivated. My last stage win was already four years ago – it was time for another one."

Much like when he took his other Tour de France stage back in 2021, Van der Poel also moves into the Maillot Jaune as a result of his success, taking over the race lead from teammate Jasper Philipsen. "When you see the calibre of riders I was up against at the end, I have to say I’m really proud of myself. It was another tough, tense day out there," the Dutchman concludes his assessment with a smile. "It’s a dream start for us as a team. Everything that comes after this is just a bonus."