Tour de France 2025: The Best KOM and Points Classification Battles So Far
While all eyes often fixate on the yellow jersey battle, the King of the Mountains (KOM) and Points Classifications are delivering some of the most thrilling subplots in the 2025 Tour de France. With breakaway raids, tactical sprints, and steep mountain duels, these competitions are shaping up to be some of the most closely contested in years.
As we wrap up Stage 4, here’s a deep dive into how the polka dot jersey and green jersey battles are unfolding — and what it could mean for the coming weeks.
Polka Dot Jersey (KOM) — Pogačar vs. Wellens: A Team Rivalry at the Top
The biggest surprise in the KOM standings so far isn’t who’s on top — but how they got there. As of Stage 4 Polka Dot Jersey (KOM):
- Tadej Pogačar 🇸🇮 and Tim Wellens 🇧🇪 are tied on points at the summit of the King of the Mountains classification.
Teammates Going Toe-to-Toe
Both riders are part of UAE Team Emirates, and while Pogačar is chasing GC glory, Wellens has been aggressively hunting early-category climbs to pick up KOM points.
On Stage 2’s hilly run and Stage 4’s categorized climbs, the duo split points strategically — sometimes one leading out the other, sometimes going for it themselves.
📊 Tour de France 2025 — KOM Classification After Stage 4
| Rank | Rider | Team | Points | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇸🇮 TADEJ POGACAR | UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG | 5 PTS | – |
| 2 | 🇧🇪 TIM WELLENS | UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG | 5 PTS | – |
| 3 | 🇩🇰 JONAS VINGEGAARD HANSEN | TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE | 3 PTS | – |
| 4 | 🇫🇷 LENNY MARTINEZ | BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS | 2 PTS | – |
| 5 | 🇫🇷 BENJAMIN THOMAS | COFIDIS | 2 PTS | – |
| 6 | 🇫🇷 KEVIN VAUQUELIN | ARKEA-B&B HOTELS | 1 PT | – |
| 7 | 🇳🇴 ANDERS HALLAND JOHANNESSEN | UNO-X MOBILITY | 1 PT | – |
| 8 | 🇩🇰 KASPER ASGREEN | EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST | 1 PT | – |
| 9 | 🇳🇴 ANDREAS LEKNESSUND | UNO-X MOBILITY | 1 PT | – |
This intra-team battle adds intrigue:
- Will UAE let Wellens fully contest the polka dot jersey, or will he pivot to support Pogačar deeper into the mountains?
- Could Pogačar, already a contender for yellow and green, attempt to sweep all major jerseys?
Green Jersey (Points Classification) — Milan Leads, but the Chasers Are Closing In
The points classification is also proving tighter than expected. As of Stage 4 Green Jersey (Points Classification):
- Jonathan Milan 🇮🇹 (Lidl–Trek) leads the race with consistent high finishes and intermediate sprint wins.
- Biniam Girmay 🇪🇷 (Intermarché–Wanty) and Mathieu van der Poel 🇳🇱 (Alpecin–Deceuninck) are hot on his heels.
Milan’s Power vs. Girmay’s Versatility
Milan has dominated the flat sprints but struggled slightly on hilly profiles. Girmay, however, has shown resilience in punchy finishes and intermediate sprints, keeping himself within striking distance.
Van der Poel, meanwhile, has yet to fully unleash his sprinting power but remains well positioned for classics-style stages and bonus points on undulating routes.
📊 Tour de France 2025 — Points Classification After Stage 4
| Rank | Rider | Team | Points | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇮🇹 JONATHAN MILAN | LIDL-TREK | 92 PTS | – |
| 2 | 🇪🇷 BINIAM GIRMAY | INTERMARCHÉ – WANTY | 87 PTS | – |
| 3 | 🇳🇱 MATHIEU VAN DER POEL | ALPECIN-DECEUNINCK | 80 PTS | – |
| 4 | 🇸🇮 TADEJ POGACAR | UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG | 80 PTS | – |
| 5 | 🇧🇪 TIM MERLIER | SOUDAL QUICK-STEP | 72 PTS | – |
| 6 | 🇫🇷 ANTHONY TURGIS | TOTALENERGIES | 57 PTS | – |
| 7 | 🇳🇴 SØREN WAERENSKJOLD | UNO-X MOBILITY | 46 PTS | – |
| 8 | 🇫🇷 PAUL PENHOËT | GROUPAMA-FDJ | 43 PTS | – |
| 9 | 🇩🇰 JONAS VINGEGAARD HANSEN | TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE | 40 PTS | – |
| 10 | 🇫🇷 ROMAIN GREGOIRE | GROUPAMA-FDJ | 34 PTS | – |
Key Questions:
- Can Milan hold his advantage as the Tour hits lumpier terrain?
- Will Girmay or Van der Poel capitalize on transitional stages and collect critical intermediate points?
How These Sub-Classifications Shape the Tour
KOM Points Affect GC Battles
The fight for KOM points on categorized climbs often forces the GC teams to respond early. This has already impacted the race:
- Breakaways loaded with KOM hopefuls force UAE, Visma–Lease a Bike, and Bora–Hansgrohe to control the tempo.
- Bonus seconds at summits tempt GC riders like Pogačar to chase, altering stage dynamics.
Points Battle Dictates Sprint Tactics
The tight green jersey battle has made every intermediate sprint hotly contested:
- Teams like Lidl–Trek, Intermarché–Wanty, and Alpecin–Deceuninck now dedicate full lead-out trains even on mountain stages’ intermediate sprints.
- It forces the peloton to ride harder, reducing breakaway chances and affecting how teams plan their GC riders’ support.
What’s Next in These Battles?
The coming stages will be decisive:
- Stage 6 features multiple Category 2 climbs — expect Pogačar and Wellens to extend their KOM duel.
- Stage 7 is a flat sprinter’s stage where Milan must fend off Girmay and Van der Poel to defend his green jersey.
With both classifications on a knife’s edge, one bad day or one bold move could flip the standings completely.
As the 2025 Tour de France heads deeper into its first week, the King of the Mountains and Points Classification races are already delivering drama. With Pogačar and Wellens tied at the top for polka dots and Jonathan Milan fighting off Girmay and Van der Poel for green, these battles will shape the tempo, tactics, and mood of every stage.
Cycling fans: don’t just watch the GC leaderboard — the real action might be in the polka dots and green jersey standings.
