Global Sports
Wout van Aert soloed to victory in stage 21 of the 2025 Tour de France on Sunday — dropping Tadej Pogacar on the final ascent of the newly added Montmartre climb. The Belgian star proved the strongest as torrential rain swept through Paris and turned the final day into a dramatic battle of attrition.
The irrepressible Pogacar — who sparked much of the drama in the stage — crossed the line in fourth place to seal his fourth overall Tour de France title, at the age of 26.
There were the usual final-day pleasantries in the first half of the stage: group photos, friendly chats and a pace that any amateur could happily match. While that was going on news emerged that, due to the wet weather expected in the French capital, general classification times would be taken on the fourth crossing of the finish line. In other words, before the three ascents and descents of the atmospheric but perilously cobbled Côte de la Butte Montmartre.
The first crossing of the finish line saw the UAE-Emirates team of Pogacar cross the line together in front of the peloton. Then the race began in earnest.
