The battle for the yellow jersey ignited yesterday as Tadej Pogacar won a thrilling sprint finish in Rouen, moving level on time with race leader Mathieu van der Poel in the process.
Today’s time trial is likely to really kick off the general classification battle. Olympic time-trial (and road race) champion Remco Evenepoel is the big favourite to win on a largely flat course ideally suited to specialists like him, while an intriguing battle is once again shaping up between Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, who sits eight seconds off the defending champion in the overall standings.
All three should be among the best performers on the loop in and around Caen, although with the departure on stage one of Ineos Grenadiers’ Filippo Ganna, there are fewer obstacles in Evenepoel’s way from an important victory - and with it, the yellow jersey.
Follow all of the latest from Stage 5 with our live blog below:
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Tour de France 2025 stage 5 LIVE
- Remco Evenepoel leads contenders for time-trial victory - and yellow jersey
- Evenepoel obliterates field to seal victory on stage five, while Pogacar takes yellow
- Stage 5: 33km from Caen to Caen | Live on TNT Sports and ITV4
- How to watch the Tour de France
- Stage 5 route map and profile
Remco Evenepoel surges to victory on stage five time trial as Jonas Vingegaard loses time
17:42
,
Flo Clifford
Remco Evenepoel won the stage five time trial at the Tour de France as Tadej Pogacar seized yellow and saw his rival Jonas Vingegaard lose more than a minute on the roads around Caen.
Evenepoel, the world and Olympic time trial champion, had talked up his chances of victory on this stage and delivered, if not by the margin needed to make good on his suggestion he could take yellow himself.
The Belgian completed the largely flat 33km course in 36 minutes and 42 seconds, at an average speed of 54kmh, to win by 16 seconds from Pogacar.
With Mathieu van der Poel, who started the day on the same overall time as Pogacar, 18th on the day, Pogacar pulled on the yellow jersey with Evenepoel his closest challenger, 42 seconds down in the overall standings.
Pogacar back in yellow
17:28
,
Flo Clifford
The defending champion is back at the top of the standings and will be in yellow at the start line on stage six.
Tim Wellens will sport the polka dots for him, as the man can’t feasibly wear three jerseys at once, while Jonathan Milan will be in the green of the points leader.
Evenepoel leads the best young rider standings so will be in white.
All smiles on the podium
17:20
,
Flo Clifford
Visma-Lease a Bike weigh in
17:14
,
Flo Clifford
Grischa Niermann, Visma-Lease a Bike sports director, tells TNT Sports, “We didn’t expect a loss [for Vingegaard] that much but it happened and we have to go from here. We will fight again tomorrow.”
He downplays the wind, “that’s not an excuse” as it still affected Evenepoel and Pogacar.
“Also beforehand we knew Remco’s the favourite, he won and rightfully so. But certainly with Jonas and Matteo we hoped for a better time.”
Winners and losers of stage five
17:08
,
Flo Clifford
The big winner of today, obviously, is Tadej Pogacar, back in yellow (although he may be happy to concede it back to Van der Poel in the hilly terrain to come this week, to avoid the attendant duties for a little while), and having put more than a minute into biggest rival Jonas Vingegaard.
Remco Evenepoel has the stage win and dominant performance he was after, and moves up to second overall, shaving 16 seconds off his deficit to Pogacar.
Kevin Vauquelin has had another brilliant day out and moves up into provisional third, although he loses the white jersey.
But Primoz Roglic has lost another minute, having been 1’27” down at the start of the day and now 2’30”, while the big concern is Jonas Vingegaard, who did a frankly poor time trial by his own high standards, never looked remotely comfortable, and is now 1’13” off Pogacar’s pace.
Pogacar moving up in all classifications
17:01
,
Flo Clifford
Pogacar is back in yellow for the first time in this Tour, and now also leads the points classification as well as the KOM, which he led at the start of the day.
Amazingly Remco Evenepoel still qualifies for the best young rider jersey and with that TT win he’s back in white tomorrow.
Pogacar 'the guy to beat' - Evenepoel
16:57
,
Flo Clifford
“Tadej did a very strong time trial as well, 17 seconds is pretty close,” Evenepoel continues. “About half a second per kilometre so compared to the Dauphine time trial, he really made a step forward and shows that he’s in big form, and that’s the reason why he’s the guy to beat in the Tour de France.
“I did what I had to do to take as much time as possible and step up in the GC. It’s kind of the same situation as last year after the TT, so super happy with that. It’s a big step forward to the podium, but of course there’s still a long way to go in this Tour.
“Today was the first step for me to put a good GC result in towards Paris, but everybody knows what’s coming up [in the mountains]. It’s already very nice to take a stage win, it means the two guys that are here to take stage wins won from our team [him and Tim Merlier], so we’re kind of relaxed now and all focused on this podium in Paris.”
'Everything was on point' - Remco Evenepoel
16:53
,
Flo Clifford
Remco Evenepoel, in full rainbows, speaks after his win: “You never know because big guys like Edoardo can do these courses very well, they can save a little bit more in the finals like yesterday. I knew I had a good chance but the legs still have to be there and everything has to go as the plan is. In the end I didn’t really feel like I could go any faster. A second stage win for our team, it’s super nice.
“I kind of pushed pretty steady, very slightly uphill part I pushed harder than the downhills, but my strongest point is I kept the same pace in the end as in the first 10k. That’s also what we saw in the intermediates that I was always going up and gaining time in the last 7-8km. Everything was on point, so super happy.”
Stage five results
16:50
,
Flo Clifford
1) Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) in 36’42”
2) Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +16”
3) Edoardo Affini (Visma-Lease a Bike) +33”
4) Bruno Armirail (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) +35”
5) Kevin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) +49”
6) Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +2’31”
7) Ivan Romeo (Movistar) +1’02”
8) Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +1’14”
9) Luke Plapp (Jayco-AlUla) +1’17”
10) Pablo Castrillo (Movistar) +1’18”
General classification after stage five
16:46
,
Flo Clifford
1) Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in 17:22:58
2) Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) +42”
3) Kevin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels) +59”
4) Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1’13”
5) Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1’22”
6) Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +1’28”
7) Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +1’53”
8) Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +2’30”
9) Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +2’31”
10) Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) +2’32”
Remco Evenepoel wins stage five
16:41
,
Flo Clifford
The world and Olympic champion against the clock is a clear winner today, 16 seconds ahead of Pogacar, who moves into the yellow jersey. Edoardo Affini, who led for so long, finishes 33 seconds down in third.
A French one-two to round out the top five, French national champion Bruno Armirail ahead of Kevin Vauquelin.
Mathieu van der Poel crosses the line
16:39
,
Flo Clifford
Yellow jersey Mathieu van der Poel has had a good day out, defending his jersey with honour, but he’ll lose it to Pogacar today.
He crosses the line in 38’26”, 1’44” down on Evenepoel which is really not bad at all, and 18th overall.
Remco Evenepoel wins stage five!
Pogacar puts a minute into Vingegaard
16:36
,
Flo Clifford
Pogacar nearly comes a cropper on a corner but reels away just in time. He won’t win the stage, but he’ll take yellow, a fraction shy of 17 seconds down on Evenepoel in 36’58”, second overall. Most importantly, he’s a minute clear of Vingegaard.
The Slovenian pulled back two seconds on Evenepoel in the final kilometre, but not enough. Still, a phenomenal day out for the defending champion.
Vingegaard and Pogacar into final 2km
16:34
,
Flo Clifford
20 seconds between Pogacar and Evenepoel, and the Belgian will take the stage!
Vingegaard is haring for the finish but the clock has been red against him all day. He crosses the line in provisional 12th, but it’s the time gap that’s significant: 1’21” down on Evenepoel in 38’03”.
Could Pogacar win the stage?
16:30
,
Flo Clifford
Barring a ludicrous last few kilometres by Pogacar, it seems safe to say Evenepoel has won the stage. But the Slovenian is riding an excellent TT and is putting some serious time into Vingegaard, which no doubt is his main priority, and he’ll move into yellow today.
Kevin Vauquelin crosses the line in provisional fourth on home roads: 39 seconds down on Evenepoel, in 37’31”.
Vingegaard struggling at third checkpoint
16:26
,
Flo Clifford
Almeida crosses the line 1’14” down on Evenepoel, in 37’56”, provisional sixth place. A solid performance without being sparkling, but he has been Pogacar’s top lieutenant so far, delivering him to the stage win on stage four, so that’s perhaps to be expected.
Vingegaard is 1’05” down on Evenepoel at the third timecheck! That’s an enormous gap, and he’s rocking and rolling still. Not looking comfortable at all.
Favourites in action
16:24
,
Flo Clifford
Remco Evenepoel into the hot seat
16:22
,
Flo Clifford
Affini tips his cap, and that’s all you can do with a performance like that. An absolutely absurd time trial.
Remco Evenepoel obliterates Affini's time
16:21
,
Flo Clifford
Evenepoel is still launching himself around this course, timing his leans into the corners perfectly. What an absolute masterclass from the world and Olympic champion, travelling at 60km/h at some points.
He beats Affini by 33 seconds, with a time of 36’42”!
Vauquelin in brilliant form
16:19
,
Flo Clifford
“You’re faster than Roglic, you’re faster than Vingegard, you’re faster than Matteo Jorgenson. Go boy!” shout the Arkea sports directors to Vauquelin on the radio. What a way to spur their man on, and what a way to cheer the French fans.
He’s having a great day. Although he will lose the white jersey today to Remco Evenepoel.
Pogacar takes 30 seconds on Vingegaard
16:18
,
Flo Clifford
Pogacar has taken half a minute on Jonas Vingegaard at the second timecheck, putting himself in sixth place provisionally, 20 seconds down on the fastest time at this point.
Roglic finishes in provisional seventh place
16:16
,
Flo Clifford
Primoz Roglic is over the finish line in Caen in 38’01”, 46 seconds down on Affini, in seventh place provisionally. It’s not bad per se, but Roglic was already 1’27” down on the yellow jersey at the start of the day, and this won’t help.
Vingegaard is in 12th place provisionally at the second time check, 50 seconds down!! Not good at all for the Dane. We’re in for a thrilling finish to this one...
Evenepoel sets fastest time at final checkpoint
16:14
,
Flo Clifford
Soudal Quick-Step tell Evenepoel on the radio that he’s gained 20 seconds on Vingegaard. “Come on, keep working,” they urge their star.
The Belgian has gained the best part of 20 seconds between time checks two and three, and is 11 seconds quicker than Affini at the final check.
Nothing to separate Pogacar and Evenepoel
16:10
,
Flo Clifford
Pogacar is through the first timecheck, three seconds down on Plapp, less than a second separating him from Evenepoel.
But Vingegaard was seventh at the first timecheck, 22 seconds off Plapp’s pace, and he’s nowhere near as aero, just shifting side to side a little more.
Pogacar flying
16:06
,
Flo Clifford
“Find a good rhythm, get your head down and push it,” Visma instruct Vingegaard on the radio. Sounds simple enough.
How is Pogacar doing? Two seconds quicker than Evenepoel and 15 seconds quicker than Vingegaard, heading towards the first timecheck... has polka-dot Pogi gone out too fast, or is he just on fire?
Evenepoel slips further back
16:04
,
Flo Clifford
Florian Lipowitz has just set a great time at the finish, 25” seconds down on the specialist Edoardo Affini, in more difficult conditions, in 37’40”. That’s a strong time.
Ooh, Evenepoel is nearly nine seconds down on Plapp and four seconds down on Affini at the second checkpoint. Robbie McEwen says he’s just done the worst part of the course, headwind-wise, so should have time to bring it back. And of course, Plapp went out flying but lost time later on. Let’s see...
Yellow jersey van der Poel sets off
16:01
,
Flo Clifford
Off goes Mathieu van der Poel in head-to-toe yellow (well, not quite, he’s in white socks). Can he keep yellow today? It seems unlikely, but he’ll give it his best shot.
Top two: Pogacar on the road
15:59
,
Flo Clifford
Big cheers as Tadej Pogacar rolls down the start ramp, absolutely flying. He’s in the polka-dot skinsuit today as king of the mountains, rather than his standard UAE suit - what effect will that have? You’d imagine it will have been fitted within an inch of its life, so probably not much.
Top three: Vingegaard heads out
15:57
,
Flo Clifford
Jonas Vingegaard is next to go, in provisional third overall. Another brilliant time-triallist, but better at the uphill stuff. He’s only eight seconds off Van der Poel and Pogacar overall so could well be in yellow by the end of the day.
Evenepoel second at checkpoint 1
15:56
,
Flo Clifford
Remco Evenepoel has set the second-quickest time at checkpoint 1, a fraction off three seconds slower than Luke Plapp, five seconds quicker than Affini at this point.
He’s got the most superb aero position, it really is a work of art. Pics when we get them.
Roglic is ninth at timecheck two, 49.2 seconds down on Luke Plapp. Oh dear.
Top five: Vauquelin, Jorgenson underway
15:54
,
Flo Clifford
Into the top five, and big cheers for the white jersey of Kevin Vauquelin, Arkea-B&B Hotels’ star man (who will surely be heading off to a bigger team soon) as he rolls down the ramp.
Oscar Onley and Enric Mas are also on the move.
Matteo Jorgenson is next down the ramp. The American is in the form of his life and will give this a good go today.
Affini to take the win?
15:52
,
Flo Clifford
Jens Voigt, on the TNT Sports motorbike, says the wind has picked up and changed to a headwind coming out of the city, which favours Affini massively.
But all the big names for the GC have the same conditions, all setting off in the same 10 minutes or so.
Wout van Aert, by the way, finished a little while ago, in provisional 70th place. As we knew, he wasn’t going for the win today.
Roglic update
15:50
,
Flo Clifford
Primoz Roglic is in 10th place provisionally, nearly half a minute down on Luke Plapp’s time at the first checkpoint, just 8km in!
That is not what the Slovenian would like to hear.
Ben O’Connor crosses the line a minute and 14 seconds down on Affini in 38’29”, 11th place provisionally.
Evenepoel, Almeida set off
15:47
,
Flo Clifford
Evenepoel absolutely floors it around the first corner and there’s no doubt this man means business.
A reminder that he was doored by a postal van in training in December, missing months of training and competition, and returned to action in the spring still with nerve damage in his shoulder. To even be in shape to ride the Tour, let alone win the stage today, is remarkable in itself.
Joao Almeida, another phenomenal time triallist, is next off the ramp. He’s a support rider for Pogacar but should be rewarded for his teamwork with the chance to ride for the stage today.
Remco Evenepoel in action
15:44
,
Flo Clifford
It’s Remco Evenepoel time. He’s the out and out favourite for today’s stage, and every TT he enters, but anything can happen...
He’s in the world champ’s rainbow bands, the Olympic champion’s golden helmet with rainbow stripes, and golden bike. Absolutely resplendent.
Geraint Thomas speaks
15:40
,
Flo Clifford
Geraint Thomas has a word at the end of his penultimate Tour de France time trial (there’s another one to come, on stage 13).
Asked about any differences to his recon, the Welshman says, “It’s more just the corners are a bit sharper when you’re going quite a bit quicker. When I did the recon I wasn’t like I was in 2018, put it that way. It’s grippy on the way out and on the way back it’s fast but it’s still got a push - it’s harder than it looks on the profile.
It’s put to him that his numbers are probably better now than they were when he won the Tour in 2018. “That’s sport, innit, it always moves on, with innovation, with training, nutrition. If you didn’t move forward, you’re going back.”
Primoz Roglic down the ramp
15:37
,
Flo Clifford
Five-time grand tour champ Primoz Roglic is next to go. The Slovenian is 1’27” down and has been in indifferent form in the last couple of months.
He’s already downplayed his chances of winning the Tour, saying he just wants to get to Paris. But he’s a brilliant time-triallist, so should still set a good time.
His teammate/protege Florian Lipowitz is already out on the course too.
Martin, O'Connor underway
15:33
,
Flo Clifford
A huge roar goes up from the crowd as French journeyman Guillaume Martin rolls down the ramp.
Ben O’Connor is out on the road, over a minute down on teammate Luke Plapp at the second checkpoint. He’s nursing some war wounds from a crash earlier in the week and isn’t the speediest against the clock anyway, so might be prepared to lose some more time to his GC rivals here.
We’re into the top 16 now, with these chaps heading off in two-minute intervals.
Scenery check
15:26
,
Flo Clifford
As ever the atmosphere is brilliant by the roadside as the spectators camp out to cheer the riders on.
Geraint Thomas crosses the line
15:20
,
Flo Clifford
Geraint Thomas crosses the line, two minutes down on Affini, in provisional 16th. Not the best day for the Welshman, but I don’t think he was planning on contesting the stage win today.
Wout van Aert gets underway
15:02
,
Flo Clifford
Simon Yates finishes an entire four minutes down on teammate Affini, wearing the ludicrous spaceship of a Visma TT helmet.
And now it’s the turn of superstar Wout van Aert to get his race underway. He’s a phenomenal time-triallist - but is he going for the win today, or just going to cruise round? He hasn’t set off at the most blistering pace, that’s for sure, so I think we can probably rule the former out.
Dumoulin backs Evenepoel for the win
14:56
,
Flo Clifford
“I’m quite convinced this has Evenepoel all over it,” former Giro winner and a phenomenal time triallist in his day Tom Dumoulin says on TNT Sports. “The question is by how much, and is it enough for yellow?”
Tobias Foss sixth overall
14:50
,
Flo Clifford
Not Tobias Foss’ day today. The Norwegian champ, a former rainbow jersey in this discipline, finishes 52 seconds down on Affini’s time in 38’07”. Ineos’ wait for a Tour stage win goes on.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe lieutenant Aleksandr Vlasov has overtaken his 1:30 man Victor Campenaerts, to the Visma man probably isn’t going flat out today.
Geraint Thomas sets off
14:43
,
Flo Clifford
Kasper Asgreen has crossed the line in provisional ninth place, so will no doubt fall significantly further down the rankings by the end of the day.
Tobias Foss is in provisional eighth place at the third checkpoint, so no win for him either today.
And Geraint Thomas, riding his final ever Tour de France, is next down the ramp.
Julian Alaphilippe has just finished, three minutes down on Affini.
Ones to watch
14:30
,
Flo Clifford
Still a while to go before most of the real contenders for today’s stage win get underway (current leader Affini aside, obviously).
All times here are in CET. Wout van Aert is the next to go, at 2.58pm BST.
Ones to watch for the TT
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 9, 2025
Les favoris pour le chrono du jour ⏱️#TDF2025 pic.twitter.com/rWDJRTLl5h
Spectators out in force
14:24
,
Flo Clifford
Two big contenders underway
14:13
,
Flo Clifford
Tobias Foss, a somewhat surprising former world time-trial champ, is underway for Ineos Grenadiers, with Visma-Lease a Bike’s Victor Campenaerts following him down the ramp three minutes later.
The pair are both huge engines but Foss, clad in the Norwegian national champ’s skinsuit, hasn’t quite reached the same heights since that surprise win in 2022. Campenaerts may be keeping his powder dry as he’s a major domestique for Jonas Vingegaard on the flat.
Armirail two seconds short
14:07
,
Flo Clifford
“You really did a number, just two seconds down on Affini,” Decathlon encourage poor old Bruno Armirail, who probably won’t feel very happy with that.
Huge cheers now on the start line for perennial favourite Julian Alaphilippe as he rolls down the ramp.
Kasper Asgreen, a former Danish TT champ, is also underway.
Bruno Armirail just misses out on top time
14:00
,
Flo Clifford
“You’re one of the best in the world!” the Decathlon hypeman shouts to Bruno Armirail, but the French champ still has a fair bit of time to make up... but he’s second-quickest at the final checkpoint, 14 seconds off the pace.
He’s into the final kilometre and with a little over 36 minutes on the clock... He’s got a minute to play with. This is going to be tight... the crowd roar him on - and he misses out by 2.4 seconds!
Affini can breathe a sigh of relief in the hot seat.
Adam Yates underway
13:49
,
Flo Clifford
Adam Yates, a fine time-triallist in his own right, is the first of the real big guns to get underway - although it seems clear already that he isn’t going for his own GC result, having finished third overall in 2023.
Robbie McEwen, on TNT Sports comms, thinks the wind has picked up a little and is likely to continue to do so over the afternoon before dropping off towards sunset. That’s likely to benefit Edoardo Affini and his speedy early time.
Armirail losing time
13:42
,
Flo Clifford
German TT champ Max Schachmann is way down the rankings and looks like he’s just cruising. Problem perhaps, or just saving his legs to help team leader Remco Evenepoel later in the Tour?
Bruno Armirail is 18 seconds down on Plapp’s quickest time at the second checkpoint, which feels like a lot to make up in the final 16km or so.
Soudal Quick-Step pair cross line together
13:36
,
Flo Clifford
“You’re going to do an amazing TT,” the Decathlon team car shouts to Bruno Armirail, the French national champ as he nears the 10-minute mark. “Allez, allez, allez!” Need a hypeman like that in my life.
And it’s working: Armirail has gone four seconds quicker than Affini at the first check.
A little earlier Tim Merlier and Valentin Paret-Peintre crossed the line almost in unison, the big sprinter having overtaken his lightweight climber teammate.
Edoardo Affini into the hot seat
13:30
,
Flo Clifford
“Best time by a big, big margin,” Visma enthuse over the radio to Affini, who was 20 seconds quicker at the final checkpoint.
He’s looking on for a fabulous time - although he put his foot out around one of the later corners, oooh, nervy moments.
It’s the elite European champ who goes quickest, taking half a minute out of Romeo: 37:15:08 is the new fastest time. Average speed of 53km/h, which is ludicrous.
Young Romeo salutes and prepares to vacate the hot seat.
Edoardo Affini approaches finish
13:26
,
Flo Clifford
Is the European champ going to set a new fastest time? He was fastest at checkpoint 3, rattling around at nearly 53km/h, but has this tricky finishing segment full of corners still to go.
Robbie McEwen mentions on TNT Sports comms that Luke Plapp “is not known for his cornering prowess,” which explains the time he lost there, but how about Affini? Into the final couple of kilometres...
Scenery check
13:19
,
Flo Clifford
Some quite trippy photography coming out of today’s race. Here’s what the roadside spectators see:
Luke Plapp: 'I flew a bit too close to the sun!'
13:12
,
Flo Clifford
TNT Sports has a quick chat with Luke Plapp, who currently sits in second.
“I flew a bit too close to the sun and got burned!” the Aussie champ says ruefully. “I really just tried to attack it and go out as hard as I could and see how hard I could hold on, hopefully on my best day I could have held on a bit more but I just blew a bit towards the end.”
Compared to the recon, he says, “It just bites you a bit more in the end, I thought it was going to be a lot faster finish. Maybe the wind changed since the recon, I’m not sure. I definitely felt the end of the race was a lot longer than I thought [it would be].”
Asked his favourite for the stage, the answer is decisive: “Remco by a country mile, a long way!”
Edoardo Affini second-quickest at first checkpoint
13:05
,
Flo Clifford
European champ Affini has set the second-fastest time at the first checkpoint, faster than our current leader Ivan Romeo. “This looks like a really good rhythm,” the Visma team car encourages him.