"Tadej was just too strong... I could feel my legs burning" - Mathieu van der Poel misses out on taking Tour de France stage win in Yellow

After having one Tour de France stage win in his entire career a few days ago, Mathieu van der Poel came within a few pedal strokes of making it two in three days on Tuesday afternoon at the 2025 Tour de France. Ultimately however, this time around Van der Poel had to admit defeat at the line against Tadej Pogacar.

"I would have loved to win in the Yellow Jersey, but Tadej was just too strong," Van der Poel assesses honestly in his post-stage interview afterwards, having done just enough to keep control of the Maillot Jaune at least, although only leading Pogacar on countback with the pair tied for time after the first four days of racing.

"On the last climb, he attacked and put me in the red. I could feel my legs burning," continues the Alpecin-Deceuninck leader. "We managed to come back, but I was a bit exhausted coming into the finale. I did try to sprint, but I was on my limit and Tadej was simply stronger than everyone. I’m a bit disappointed not to win, yet very happy to be there along with so many climbers."

This also far from the final chance Van der Poel will have for another stage win this Tour de France, although he has a tough task on his hands to keep the Yellow Jersey after the stage 5 individual time trial. "I will try to win again at Mûr-de-Bretagne on Friday, yet seeing how Tadej is riding it will be very tough to do it," he concludes his assessment. "I’m happy I kept the Yellow Jersey. If I am realistic, I know that I will probably lose it in tomorrow’s ITT, yet it will be a pleasure to ride a time trial in yellow as I did in 2021."