Finally, Caen gets its double host status. Both start and finish will take place in the city celebrating its 1000th birthday next year.
The 5th stage (9 July 2025) of Tour de France 2025 will be a 33 km long time trial.
WHY I'M LOOKIGN FORWARD TO THIS STAGE?
It's looks quite ugly, but at least something hoset from someone who spent a quarter century watching road cycling races, but the only reason I used to wait for a time trial stafe is because I considered that a free day, when I can look away from the competition and spend y precious time with something other important things.
Back in the days, when I started watching road cycling competitions, I actually liked the time trials. I developed my dispise rather during those year when I started conciously thinkign about the narratable nature of road cycling events, and time trials aren't super-narratable in contrary to. for example, the high mountain stages of a grand tour. (Or some one-day races during Spring.)
So, I have to admit, time trials aren't really my things.
(Not to mention that Stage 5 is usually my first low point in my emotional journey during a three-week race.)
CHATGPT PREDICTION
The Scene
The first time trial of the 2025 Tour is a 33 km loop starting and finishing in Caen, Normandy. This longer-than-usual midweek ITT is mostly flat but contains gentle rollers and coastal wind exposure—a pure power test.
Stage Story
After four hectic days, this is a GC battleground. Riders face crosswinds along the Orne river, exposed causeways, and long straights through fields—where watts and nerve matter more than technical skills.
Remco Evenepoel storms the course, setting the benchmark at the first checkpoint with over 56 km/h. Filippo Ganna, targeting only the stage, goes all-in and holds aero longer—but fades slightly on the false flats near the finish.
Meanwhile, João Almeida rides a smart, measured effort and clocks the third-best time, just 18 seconds back. Pogacar rides well, but not without risk—his pacing slightly aggressive early on. He finishes 27 seconds behind Evenepoel.
Vingegaard and Roglič both limit losses, but Jorgenson surprises the field again with a strong, consistent top-5 finish.
🏆 Winner: Remco Evenepoel (Soudal–QuickStep)
🟡 Yellow Jersey: Remco Evenepoel
ON THIS DAY IN TOUR DE FRANCE HISTORY
1949 A Tour de France stage finishes in Spain for the very first time
1963 Fernando Manzaneque wins a very snowy stage in the Alps
VINTAGE CYCLING IMAGE OF THE DAY
(Click on the image to learn more)
TOUR DE FRANCE LEGEND OF THE DAY
What made Indurain stand out? While many champions rely on explosive climbing or aggressive attacks, Indurain's strength lay in consistency, strategy, and unmatched time trial ability. He was a powerhouse in the individual time trial stages, where riders race against the clock alone. This gave him a crucial edge in many Tours, often allowing him to build a lead that others couldn’t close in the mountains.
Despite his size—at 6'2" and around 80 kg (176 lbs), unusually large for a top cyclist—Indurain climbed surprisingly well and had incredible endurance. His quiet, humble personality earned him respect on and off the bike, and he was known for his sportsmanship and professionalism.
Indurain retired in 1996, but his impact on the Tour de France remains. He brought a new level of preparation and focus to the sport, and his era is remembered for its precision and class. Today, he’s still a national hero in Spain and a symbol of what it means to dominate the Tour without arrogance.