"Two super talents, natural allies with mutual respect" - Tadej Pogacar & Mathieu van der Poel set to work together for Tour de France success?

Two of the biggest stars in the modern peloton, Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel have been incredibly successful over the last few years. According to Belgian cycling expert Michel Wuyts, the pair could be set to work together in the opening week of the 2025 Tour de France, to their mutual benefit.

“After two relatively quiet years in the Tour, Van der Poel is as hungry as he was during his debut in 2021,” Wuyts previews of the 2025 Tour de France in conversation with Het Laatste Nieuws. “Back then, he spent six brilliant days in yellow. That’s the colour he’s targeting again. The Van der Poel we saw on the Poggio is a hard man to stop. I’m expecting two stage wins — perhaps even three, if things go his way.”

With a very Van der Poel friendly parcours at the Tour this year, Wuyts can see only Pogacar being able to prevent the Alpecin-Deceuninck leader from starring with multiple stage victories. “Who can stay with Van der Poel at his best on a tough finish with steep kickers? One man: Tadej Pogacar," he explains.

As mentioned already though, Wuyts also foresees the pair working together for their mutual benefit. "Of course, those two will work together. Two super talents, natural allies with mutual respect,” he says. “Remember these names — Boulogne-sur-Mer, Rouen, Vire Normandie, Mûr-de-Bretagne. Tension will be sky-high; gaps will open.”

As for Wuyts' Belgian compatriots, Remco Evenepoel is the man best placed to challenge for the overall victory. “Stage five is a gently undulating time trial in Caen, made for aerodynamic powerhouses. Who can keep Remco Evenepoel out of yellow there?” Wuyts questions. “Maybe he (Van der Poel ed.) can. He’ll have picked up bonus seconds in the punchy finishes beforehand. He’s also been putting work into his time trialling. Pulling off the unexpected is Van der Poel’s trademark. But let’s be honest — keeping Evenepoel out of yellow? We don’t see it happening.”