XRG stormed up the “Bald Mountain,” initiated by rival Jonas Vingegaard’s attack, and still managed to sprint two seconds clear of the Dane at the summit. With this blistering climb, Pogacar smashed the long-standing record of Iban Mayo.

The 24-year-old claimed his maiden Tour de France stage victory to become the first French winner of this year’s race

Analysis of the latest day's action in the 2025 race - 171km from Montpellier up to the summit of the iconic Mont Ventoux

Job done,” Tadej Pogacar said with satisfaction after the first stage of the third week in the Tour de France. The Slovenian of UAE Team Emirates-XRG was able to respond to all attacks by the eager Jonas Vingegaard and even grabbed two bonus seconds on him in the sprint at the summit.

Valentin Paret-Peintre kept his cool in a furnace of pressure and heat, delivering a thunderous victory atop the legendary Mont Ventoux to give France its first win in this year's Tour de France during a breathtaking Stage 16 on Tuesday.

The Belgian team has also released a special jersey today in honour of seven-time Tour stage winner Raymond Poulidor, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Frenchman's historic victory on top of Mont Ventoux in 1965.

Yellow jersey Tadej Pogacar could add a fifth stage win to an already-superb Tour de France with victory atop Mont Ventoux today

Valentin Paret Peintre has triumphed on Mont Ventoux to become the first home rider to win a stage at this year’s Tour de France.