Thymen Arensman of Ineos Grenadiers claimed a sensational victory in Stage 19 of the 2025 Tour de France, narrowly outpacing the General Classification (GC) leaders in a thrilling finish at La Plagne. The Dutch rider broke away in the final 13 kilometers, following an initial move by Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, and managed to hold off the chasing pack to secure his second stage win of this year's race.

The Final Climb

The stage featured two hors categorie climbs, including the Col du Pre, leading to the finish at La Plagne, situated 2,052 meters above sea level. Arensman's decisive move came after a grueling ascent, where he maintained his lead despite intense pressure from the top GC contenders. Jonas Vingegaard, who had been in hot pursuit, fell just two seconds short of catching Arensman, while Tadej Pogacar followed closely behind.

Pogacar's Dominance

Pogacar, who is on the verge of securing his fourth Tour de France title, demonstrated his tactical acumen by closely marking Vingegaard rather than chasing Arensman. The Slovenian rider's lead in the general classification now stands at four minutes and 24 seconds, with two relatively flat stages remaining. Pogacar's focus on protecting his lead has been evident throughout the race, and he appears poised to claim victory in Paris on Sunday.

Young Talent on Display

Oscar Onley, the 22-year-old British rider from Team Picnic-PostNL, showed immense promise with a strong performance that brought him within striking distance of a podium finish. However, he lost touch in the final two kilometers, allowing Florian Lipowitz to consolidate his hold on third place in the GC. Onley's performance has solidified his reputation as one of the sport's most promising young talents.

Stage Alterations

Organizers were forced to alter the route of Stage 19 due to a herd of diseased cattle on the Col des Saisies. The stage distance was reduced from 130 kilometers to 95 kilometers, and two of the five planned categorized climbs were dropped. Despite these changes, the stage remained a challenging test of endurance and strategy.

Arensman's Reaction

"I feel absolutely destroyed," Arensman said after his victory. "I can't believe it. Already to win one stage in the Tour was unbelievable from a breakaway, but now to do it against the GC group, against the strongest riders in the world, it feels like I'm dreaming. I don't know what I just did."

Looking Ahead

With two stages remaining, the focus now shifts to the final showdown in Paris. Pogacar's lead seems insurmountable, but the battle for the remaining podium spots remains intense. Stage 20, a rolling 184.2-kilometer route from Nantua to Pontarlier, is expected to favor breakaway specialists, adding another layer of intrigue to this year's Tour de France.

Stage 19 Results

1. Thymen Arensman (Ned/Ineos Grenadiers) - 2hrs 46mins 06secs
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) - +2secs
3. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Emirates-XRG) - +2secs
4. Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) - +6secs
5. Oscar Onley (GB/Picnic PostNL) - +47secs

General Classification Standings

1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Emirates-XRG) - 69hrs 41mins 46secs
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) - +4mins 24secs
3. Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) - +11mins 09secs
4. Oscar Onley (GB/Picnic PostNL) - +12mins 12secs
5. Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) - +17mins 12secs