Four years on from one of the most emotional victories of his career, Mathieu van der Poel returns to the Mûr-de-Bretagne in yellow once again. In 2021, the Dutchman won atop this famous Breton climb and dedicated his ride to his grandfather Raymond Poulidor, who never wore the yellow jersey himself. Now he starts the stage back in yellow, but after a huge effort on stage 6, it remains to be seen if he has the legs to repeat history.
Van der Poel wasn’t optimistic in his post-stage comments, saying, “I was close to cramping, and I never have this… I just felt also a bit the efforts I did the last few days.” The classics specialist might have used up too many matches chasing the breakaways and bonus seconds. While emotion carried him in 2021, fatigue might catch up with him in 2025.
The route – Two ascents of the Mûr, and no place to hide
Stage 7 covers 197km from Saint-Malo to Mûr-de-Bretagne and is relatively calm until the final hour. A rolling profile features just one categorised climb before the final showdown, the Côte du Village de Mûr-de-Bretagne (cat. 4) at km 178.8. But the key is what follows.
The race finishes after a double ascent of the Mûr-de-Bretagne (cat. 3) – 2km at 7% – the same finale as 2021. The first climb offers a chance to test the legs and scope the lines; the second will decide the winner. The gradient is hardest early on, with a 10% opening kilometre before easing slightly, but by then the damage is usually done.
Previous winners on this climb include Cadel Evans (2011), Dan Martin (2018), and Van der Poel himself (2021) – all timing their efforts perfectly on the final kick.
What’s on offer
Date: Friday, 11th July
Distance: 197km
Start/Finish: Saint-Malo – Mûr-de-Bretagne
Sprints: Plédran (km 139.2)
Climbs:
- Côte du Village de Mûr-de-Bretagne (cat. 4, km 178.8)
- Mûr-de-Bretagne (cat. 3, km 181.7)
- Mûr-de-Bretagne (cat. 3, km 197)
Prediction
Tadej Pogačar has already shown he’s a step above his rivals on GC, and this is the kind of finale where he thrives. Punchy climbs, short efforts, and a clear target – it suits the rainbow jersey down to the ground. Expect a strong late move and a second stage win for the Slovenian, with the maillot jaune changing hands again.
