Tour de France 2025: Jordan Jegat Eyes Top Ten as Alpine Challenges Loom

In the 2025 Tour de France, French cyclist Jordan Jegat from the TotalEnergies team is making headlines as he approaches a potential top ten finish, currently ranking 11th overall. Just 2 minutes and 30 seconds behind Carlos Rodriguez of Ineos Grenadiers in 10th place, Jegat's remarkable performance has led his team to shift focus from merely seeking stage wins to supporting his ascent in the overall classification.

At 26 years old, Jegat has climbed the ranks quickly, having entered last year's Tour with a 28th place finish. His recent standings are bolstered by impressive race results, including an 11th place at Mûr-de-Bretagne and 8th in Carcassonne. "It’s a nice surprise to find myself in this position," he noted, attributing some of his success to the misfortunes of other riders, including injuries and illnesses. TotalEnergies team director Benoît Génauzeau expressed optimism, stating their goal has shifted from a top 15 finish to breaking into the top 10, marking their best result since 2015.

As the race heads towards the Alps, the challenges intensify, with three hors catégorie climbs awaiting the riders: Col du Glandon, Col de la Madeleine, and Col de la Loze. This stage, which spans 171.5 km and features a staggering 5,450 meters of elevation gain, is set to expose riders to harsh weather conditions, expected to include a significant drop in temperature and potential rain, according to race director François Lemarchand. "On risque de voir quelques défaillances," he remarked, hinting at the difficulties riders may face in such weather.

As teams prepare for the challenging Alpine stages, major contenders such as Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard are touted as strong prospects for stage victory. The stage, marking Vif’s debut as a Tour host, is set to commence this Thursday at 12:10 PM, with a finishing time anticipated around 5:28 PM. The backdrop of these demanding climbs could lead to tactical shifts among the competitors, as noted by directors of various teams, who recognize the potential for strategic aggression amidst the adverse conditions.

As the Tour progresses, all eyes are on Jegat and TotalEnergies in their bid for a historic finish, while the weather forecasts and Alpine challenges spice up the competition for all riders involved.