Rest Day 2 For Tour de France Between Mountain Stages

Rest day 2 for the riders of the Tour de France is Monday, July 21. There are only 166 of the 186 riders left in the Tour. Rest Day 2 is between the grueling, multi-stage climbs of the Pyrenees mountains and the Alps. As the riders face more challenging mountain stages, the goal for them is the 21st stage, a flat one that culminates in Paris.

In many ways, the final stage, which ends circling the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, is the marquee event for bicycle racing. For the rest day 2, this article will focus on that goal. Who do you think will win on the Champs-Élysées?

Rest Day 2: Dreaming Of Paris

There is no doubt that as the riders in the Tour de France enjoy a rest day 2, they are dreaming of stage 21 in Paris. For the riders on their second rest day of the Tour, the Alps loom. The last stage in Paris is normally a ceremonial ride, but it may not be in 2025. Tim Wellens was the winner of Stage 15.

That would probably give Tadej Pogacar three color jerseys (Yellow, Polka Dot, and Green). That would be unprecedented, a first since Eddie Merckx. Pogacar is in the discussion for the best bicycle rider ever, so it makes sense he would want this record. His desire may set up a race with his teammate.

The competition between the teammates notwithstanding, the glory of the final stage in Paris is certainly what the riders are thinking of on Rest Day 2. They probably do not want to think of the looming stages in the Alps. Sometimes, on the celebratory final stage, the winning team will lock arms and drink champagne; they are in France, after all. Sometimes they even pose for pictures. That may, or may not happen, in 2025.

However, a feature of the final stage in the Tour de France will happen regardless of the potential competition. At the end of the race, under the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Élysées, the top three in the Tour will stand on a podium and receive a stuffed lion, flowers, and a big check. That is why there is so much discussion of the podium and why the top three positions in the Tour are so desired. The jerseys are also strongly desired, but overall, classification podium spots are also desired.

Another thing that usually happens during the Paris stage is that there is no competition. Indeed, the times in the overall classification are set, for the most part, after Stage 20. Though in 2025, for reasons already discussed, there may be competition in the final stage.

What Is Left?

There is one week remaining in the Tour de France. There are six stages left in the 2025 Tour. Here is a listing, along with what type of stage each is.

The cols and mounts are the Alps. Interestingly, Albertville hosted the winter Olympics in 1992.

Conclusion

The glorious culmination of the Tour de France in Paris is no doubt what the riders are dreaming of on Rest Day 2, the final rest day of the Tour. Usually a relaxed photo shoot, this final stage is likely to be a competition on this final stage. So, in addition to resting, recuperating, and hydrating, the riders of this Tour de France will be dreaming of Paris on Rest Day 2.