“My Legs Just Didn’t Want to Continue Anymore” – Van der Poel Fades in Brutal Tour de France Sprint but Holds On to Yellow Under Pogačar’s Pressure
Stage 12 of the 2025 Tour de France delivered a dramatic showdown between two of cycling’s fiercest rivals — Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar — with the Dutchman admitting his body finally gave in during the final meters, even as he clung onto the coveted maillot jaune by the narrowest of margins.
Van der Poel had been a dominant presence in the peloton for several days, wearing yellow with strength and confidence. But on Thursday, as the gradient rose and Pogačar launched a searing late-stage attack, the Alpecin–Deceuninck rider finally showed signs of wear.
“My legs just didn’t want to continue anymore,” van der Poel said after the stage, breathing heavily at the finish line. “I tried to hold on, but Pogačar put down so much pressure in the final 500 meters. I had nothing left to respond with.”
Despite fading to fifth place on the stage, van der Poel managed to retain the overall lead, though his margin over Pogačar has now narrowed to just six seconds — setting up a tense battle for the coming mountain stages.
The stage win went to Pogačar, who powered past his rivals in a commanding display of uphill sprinting, sending a clear message to both van der Poel and the rest of the GC contenders: the Slovenian is far from done.
“I saw Mathieu suffering just a bit,” Pogačar said after the finish. “When I went, I knew I had to make it count. He’s strong, but everyone has their limits.”
Van der Poel, typically known for his aggression and explosive style, has rarely been seen on the defensive — and his struggle today raised questions about how long he can realistically hold onto yellow with the Alps looming.
“It’s not over,” van der Poel insisted. “There are tough days ahead, but I’m still motivated. I’ll fight until the end.”
With the GC standings tightening and the terrain growing more punishing, fans are bracing for what could be one of the most intense Tour battles in recent memory. And for Van der Poel, who’s never worn yellow this deep into the race before, the coming days may define his legacy in the grand tours.
Leave a Reply