Paris Rises to the Occasion: The Montmartre Finale's Triumph
The 2025 Tour de France concluded today in Paris, not with the usual ceremonial procession and predictable bunch sprint, but with a dramatic and utterly captivating finale featuring the cobbled climbs of Montmartre. Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) powered to a magnificent solo victory on a rain-drenched Champs-Élysées, while Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) officially sealed his fourth career Tour de France title, finishing safely in the chasing group.
For years, the final stage of the Tour has been largely a parade, a chance for the overall winner to celebrate, and for the sprinters to battle one last time for glory on the iconic cobbles. This year, however, organisers threw a curveball, inspired by the Paris 2024 Olympic road race, by incorporating multiple ascents of the formidable Côte de la Butte Montmartre. The question on everyone's lips was: would this truly shake things up, or just add a few bumps to an otherwise foregone conclusion?
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A Departure from Tradition: The Montmartre Factor
The inclusion of the Montmartre climb was a bold move, and it undeniably delivered. Instead of the usual controlled build-up to a mass sprint, the peloton was ignited on the narrow, cobbled slopes. Tadej Pogačar, ever the aggressor, attacked on all three ascents, clearly keen to crown his dominant Tour with a stage win. These accelerations, especially in the treacherous wet conditions, splintered the peloton, creating a dynamic and unpredictable race.
Ultimately, it was Wout van Aert who timed his move to perfection. After Pogačar's repeated efforts, it was the Belgian powerhouse who launched a decisive counter-attack atop the final Montmartre climb, dropping the yellow jersey and soloing to a truly impressive victory. This was no ordinary sprint finish; it was a testament to strength, tactical acumen, and a willingness to gamble in the face of history.
Was it a Successful Change? A Resounding Yes!
The consensus from fans, pundits, and even the riders themselves seems to be overwhelmingly positive. The final stage was transformed from a formality into a genuine spectacle. The technical nature of the Montmartre climbs, coupled with the rain, created a truly nail-biting finish. Even with the general classification effectively neutralised due to the deteriorating weather conditions (a sensible decision that prioritised rider safety without detracting from the stage race), the battle for the stage win was fierce and compelling.
The sight of riders grappling with the steep cobbles and challenging gradients, rather than simply lining up for a drag race, was a welcome change. It rewarded different types of riders – the puncheurs and classics specialists – and provided a fittingly exciting end to what has been a relentlessly fast and hard-fought Tour de France.
Is This New Format Here to Stay?
Based on today's thrilling display, it's highly likely that elements of this new format will endure. While the traditional Champs-Élysées sprint holds a special place in Tour de France history, the Montmartre twist proved that the final stage can be both iconic and genuinely competitive.
The success of this year's finale will undoubtedly encourage organisers to explore similar innovations in the future. Whether it's the specific Montmartre circuit or other challenging urban climbs, the appetite for a less predictable and more sporting final stage is clearly there. It brings a renewed sense of anticipation to the closing kilometres of the Tour, and that can only be a good thing for cycling fans worldwide.
The 2025 Tour de France will be remembered for Tadej Pogačar's dominant victory, but the exhilarating final stage to Paris, with its audacious Montmartre inclusion, has surely carved its own significant place in the race's illustrious history.