Stage 13: Tour de France Summary

Stage 13 of the Tour de France was an uphill individual time trial from Loudonville to Peyragudes. The stage was only 10.9 kilometers long, but it was vicious. Stage 13 was another dominant victory by Tadej Pogačar, as he defeated rival Jonas Vingegaard by 36 seconds.

The stage 13 victory consolidated Pogacar’s lead as he rode the fastest of everyone to Peyragudes. He extended the overall lead he took in stage 12. Stage 13 was a very relentless individual time trial, and it was hot. The final climb was at a 13% gradient. Tomorrow is more mountains, do you think Pogacar will extend his lead?

Stage 13 Tour de France Summary

There was much discussion before and after this individual time trial about equipment. With an individual time trial in Stage 13, some riders used time trial bikes, while others used mountain bikes. The time trial bikes weigh a minimum of 6.8 kilograms. Also, everyone wore regular helmets, but Vingegaard wore a time-trialing helmet that was reminiscent of Spaceballs. On time trial stages, sometimes riders change their bicycles, but that did not happen in this stage 13. It was too short and too uphill.

The winner of stage 12 was Pogačar. He consolidated his overall lead. His 21st stage win in the Tour de France made it possible that Pogacar would break the overall record of Mark Cavendish of 35 stages. He ranks right up there with the greatest Tour performer of all time. People are saying he is better than Eddie Merckx.

Vingegaard was second by 36 seconds. It was a good ride for him, though not good enough. Primoz Roglic was third. Florian Lipowitz was fourth. Roglic and Lipowitz are teammates, and Lipowitz is just seconds from taking the white jersey of the best young rider from Remco Evenepoel. An interesting sub note is whether Roglic or Lipowitz will lead the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. Time trial specialist Luke Plapp finished fifth, 1:58 back. Though he was in the lead for most of the day 

Pogacar used his 36-second victory in stage 13 to consolidate his overall lead. In the overall classification after stage 12. So, with Pogacar in first, who is in second? Vingegaard had a better day, but still lost time. He was 4:07 back. 

Eveneepoel was barely in third place, 7:24 back. He is the reigning world and Olympic champion in the time trial discipline, but he did not have a great day. He only maintains a 6-second podium lead now over Lipowitz. Also, Lipowitz is under 35 years old, so he should also take the white jersey from Eveneepoel. The aforementioned Lipowitz was in fourth place, 7:30 back. British youngster Oscar Onley was in fifth place, 8:11 back. 

Tomorrow Never Dies

Stage 13 was the fourth time the Tour de France had finished in Peyragudes. This was the shortest ever stage in the Tour in terms of distance, but not in time, as this stage was almost completely uphill. Of note, stage 13 ended at the airfield in Peyragudes, which was featured in the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. Interestingly, they had such a noteworthy finish. That just goes to show that the Tour de France is a noteworthy event.

Conclusion

Stage 13 was a demanding individual test (it was hot and uphill). The riders spent a second day in the Pyrenees. Pogacar used this individual time trial to consolidate the lead he won yesterday. He won stage 13 by 36 seconds over rival Vingegaard. A fascinating battle for the white jersey of best young rider, between Evenopeol, Lippowitz, Kévin Vauquelin, and Oscar Onley. Since the Tour itself is effectively over, with Pogacar’s big lead and destruction of his rivals, the battle for white is probably the most interesting thing going.

Stage 14 may be the hardest in the 2025 Tour de France. The 182.6 kilometer ride from Pau to Luchon Superbagnères features four categorized climbs in the Pyrenees, including the legendary Col du Tourmalet. The Superbagneres is also a famous climb. Both are beyond classification. Television coverage starts at 6 AM Eastern.