The parade of 184 riders from the 23 groups collaborating within the 2025 Tour de France befell Thursday night in Lille, two days forward of the Grand Départ in the identical metropolis for the opening stage.
It isn’t simply an opportunity for followers to see the faces and listen to some feedback from the highest athletes, but in addition take a look at the special-edition group jerseys for the Grande Boucle and the nationwide championship kits many riders will debut in France, and seize some free souvenirs tossed from the stage.
Spectators stuffed the town’s Place du Général de Gaulle to cheer as athletes on every Tour group rode their bikes onto a round stage wrapped across the Column of the Goddess statue, towering roughly 18 metres and punctuating the intense, blue sky.
Chances are you’ll like
Picture 1 of 8
(Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
French group Cofidis had been the primary to take the stage, to large applause. Kévin Vacquelin and Arnaud Démare (Arkéa-B&B Lodges) addressed the house crowds, with two extra French groups stirring the nationwide pleasure – Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and Groupama FDJ, which boasted seven compatriots on the group.
Talking in English, final 12 months’s inexperienced jersey winner Biniam Girmay stated his Intermarché-Wanty group had been concentrating on one other stage win, however was not guaranteeing he would seize three levels like in 2024.
“It is one other alternative to indicate along with my group, how sturdy we’re, after which we’re actually trying ahead to start right here on this stunning metropolis, Lille,” Girmay stated.
“I feel it may be laborious to do the identical, like final 12 months, to win three levels within the inexperienced jersey. So for our ambition this 12 months, it is fairly easy, we’re right here to win a stage.”
The newest race content material, interviews, options, opinions and knowledgeable shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
Picture 1 of two
Among the many 11 highway race nationwide champions within the subject, Kazakh Yevgeny Fedorov (XDS Astana), Latvian Toms Skujinš (Lidl-Trek) and Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid (Jayco-AlUla) all scored double victories and also will characterize house nation colors on all levels. There are six particular person ITT nationwide champions within the subject, a couple of taking the chance to put on their colors on the presentation.
There have been 9 new seems on show from group jerseys as effectively, two of these a mid-season change that can proceed for the remainder of the 12 months for Ineos and Tudor Professional Biking.
Picture 1 of three
Ineos Grenadiers, sporting new jerseys with new sponsor TotalEnergies emblazoned on a white band on the chest, acquired cheers for many free bottles tossed to the group and remarks from former Tour champion Geraint Thomas.
“It’s a unusual feeling. I have never actually thought an excessive amount of about it,” Thomas stated about beginning his remaining Tour previous to retiring on the finish of the 12 months. “Simply wished to come back right here and be in the most effective form with the boys, the great group, and attempt to get the outcomes we wish. There’s pleasure [at] this final one.”
Picture 1 of two
Among the many remaining groups to take the stage had been the groups of high GC heavy favourites Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike and Tadej Pogačar of UAE Crew Emirates-XRG. Their final head-to-head assembly was on the Critérium du Dauphiné, the place Vingegaard completed runner-up to his Slovenian rival.
“It has been a little bit of a bizarre season for me, nevertheless it solely offers me extra motivation to do effectively right here,” the Danish two-time winner of the Tour stated on the stage, referring to his withdrawal from Paris-Good after stage 5.
“Hopefully, I will be even higher than I used to be within the Dauphiné. We’ve a powerful group. We’re all prepared for it.”
Picture 1 of two
UAE Crew Emirates-XRG surrounded the round stage with reigning world champion and Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar taking the microphone and exhibiting off a couple of French phrases he had not too long ago discovered.
“Bonne soirée, Lille. Remark allez-vous,” the Slovenian, who has received the Tour thrice, stated in a welcome to impress the group. “Thanks for an enormous welcome. Tremendous stunning metropolis, tremendous stunning followers, and we’re able to combat once more for the Tour de France.”
Throughout his introduction, it was famous he had 99 profession highway wins coming into the Tour, so a stage win in France can be vital.
“Yeah, to win 100 races in a profession is a really huge quantity, and if I can obtain it on the Tour, it may be superb. Viva le France, Viva le Tour.”
Picture 1 of 4
The 112th version of the Tour de France begins Saturday in Lille and concludes three weeks later in Paris on Sunday, July 27, with the finale that includes three passes of Côte de la Butte Montmartre earlier than the standard dash on the Champs-Élysées. There are two relaxation days set among the many 21 days of racing, the primary on Tuesday, July 15, adopted by the ultimate relaxation day on Monday, July 21.
Following the reside introductions of riders, a video presentation was offered to the native and world audiences to preview the upcoming Tour de France Femmes, which can happen July 26-August 3 between Brittany and the Alps.
The Tour de France is the largest race in biking, and a Cyclingnews subscription provides you limitless entry to our unrivalled protection. Get all of the breaking information and evaluation from our group on the bottom in France, plus the newest professional tech, reside race stories, and a day by day subscriber-only e-newsletter with unique perception into the motion. Discover out extra.
