Pogačar was happy to lose the yellow jersey by a single second to Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who went deep in the breakaway of the stage, won by Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), to take back yellow.

Tadej Pogacar is the odds-on favourite to win a fourth yellow jersey after winning the Tour in 2020, 2021 and last year, when he beat two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard by over six minutes. Slovenia's world champion Tadej Pogacar won a third Tour de France title in 2024 and lines up as the overwhelming favourite.

Van Aert is an all-around rider who can sprint (won the 2022 green jersey), climb (often a key worker for Vingegaard), time trial (Olympic bronze medalist) and excel in one-day races (second in the road race at the Olympics and worlds). In 2025, van Aert was second at cyclo-cross worlds, fourth at Paris-Roubaix and then helped Yates win the Giro.

Former Danish rider and team director slams Wout van Aert's breakaway performacne, argues Visma and Vingegaard need to change tactics

Just three days into the race, it’s clear we’re about to be treated to an epic duel between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard for the yellow jersey.