Remco Evenepoel Destroys the Stage 5 Time Trial at Tour de France 2025
Stage 5 of the Tour de France 2025 delivered exactly what fans had hoped for — pure, unfiltered time trial drama. And once again, it was Remco Evenepoel who lit up the course with a blistering ride against the clock, proving why he’s the most lethal TT specialist in the peloton right now.
Stage Context — Big GC Moves Expected in Critical ITT
On the rolling 33.7 km course from Saint-Germain to Auxerre, Evenepoel unleashed a ferocious effort, stopping the clock at 36 minutes and 42 seconds. Averaging 54 km/h and hitting a top speed of 76 km/h, the Soudal–Quick-Step star made a clear statement — this is his domain.
It marks Evenepoel’s second career Tour de France time trial victory, following his triumph at Gevrey-Chambertin last year, and perhaps his most significant yet.
White Jersey Back on Remco’s Shoulders
The win wasn’t just about the stage glory. Evenepoel also reclaimed the Maillot Blanc (best young rider) from French sensation Kévin Vauquelin, who put in a solid ride but couldn’t match the Belgian’s ferocity.
Evenepoel now sits 2nd overall in the General Classification, just 42 seconds behind race leader Tadej Pogacar — a gap that keeps the Tour very much alive heading into the crucial mountain stages.
Stage 5 ITT Results — Top 10 Finishers
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time | Gap | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇧🇪 REMCO EVENEPOEL | SOUDAL QUICK-STEP | 00h 36′ 42” | – | – |
| 2 | 🇸🇮 TADEJ POGACAR | UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG | 00h 36′ 58” | + 00h 00′ 16” | – |
| 3 | 🇮🇹 EDOARDO AFFINI | TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE | 00h 37′ 15” | + 00h 00′ 33” | – |
| 4 | 🇫🇷 BENJAMIN ARMIRAIL | DECATHLON AG2R LA MONDIALE TEAM | 00h 37′ 17” | + 00h 00′ 35” | – |
| 5 | 🇫🇷 KÉVIN VAUQUELIN | ARKEA-B&B HOTELS | 00h 37′ 31” | + 00h 00′ 49” | – |
| 6 | 🇩🇪 FELIX LIPOWITZ | RED BULL – BORA – HANSGROHE | 00h 37′ 40” | + 00h 00′ 58” | – |
| 7 | 🇪🇸 IVÁN ROMEO ABAD | MOVISTAR TEAM | 00h 37′ 44” | + 00h 01′ 02” | – |
| 8 | 🇵🇹 JOÃO ALMEIDA | UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG | 00h 37′ 56” | + 00h 01′ 14” | – |
| 9 | 🇦🇺 LUCAS PLAPP | TEAM JAYCO ALULA | 00h 37′ 59” | + 00h 01′ 17” | – |
| 10 | 🇪🇸 PELAYO CASTRILLO ZAPATER | MOVISTAR TEAM | 00h 38′ 00” | + 00h 01′ 18” | – |
GC Standings After Stage 5
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time | Gap | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇸🇮 TADEJ POGACAR | UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG | 17h 22′ 58” | – | B : 16” |
| 2 | 🇧🇪 REMCO EVENEPOEL | SOUDAL QUICK-STEP | 17h 23′ 40” | + 00h 00′ 42” | – |
| 3 | 🇫🇷 KÉVIN VAUQUELIN | ARKEA-B&B HOTELS | 17h 23′ 57” | + 00h 00′ 59” | – |
| 4 | 🇩🇰 JONAS VINGEGAARD | TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE | 17h 24′ 11” | + 00h 01′ 13” |
| 5 | 🇺🇸 MATTHEW JORGENSON | TEAM VISMA | LEASE A BIKE | 17h 24′ 20” | + 00h 01′ 22” |
Is Remco the Tour’s Best Time Trialist?
There’s little doubt now that Evenepoel has become the benchmark against the clock. With another dominant Tour ITT win to his name and average speeds defying belief, the cycling world has to ask: is Remco Evenepoel the best time trialist in the modern peloton?
The numbers speak for themselves:
- 36’42” over 33.7 km
- 54 km/h average speed
- 76 km/h top speed
- Two Tour ITT victories in consecutive years
The Belgian’s form suggests he’s not done yet — and with one more time trial still to come in this Tour, there’s every chance he could swing the GC battle back in his favour.
Key Performances & Talking Points
- Tadej Pogacar: Solid 2nd place (+16″), takes yellow. Remains consistent under pressure.
- Jonas Vingegaard: Disappointing 12th (+1’21”). GC challenge now faces uphill battle.
- Edoardo Affini: Surprising 3rd, best TT since his 2023 Giro effort.
- Kévin Vauquelin: Keeps GC hopes alive, stays 3rd overall.
- Mathieu van der Poel: 18th place, GC ambitions dented.
Gear & Tech — The 64×11 Era
The commentary noted Evenepoel’s 64-tooth chainring and aero-tuned TT rig setup, a testament to how elite time trials have evolved into ultra-specialized performances where every watt and aerodynamic marginal gain counts.
Top Speed: Evenepoel clocked 76 km/h on the downhill segments.
Historical Note
Today’s 33.7 km ITT, while decisive, still falls far short of the monster time trials of the past — notably the 1947 Vannes to Saint-Brieuc TT (139 km), the longest in Tour history. Should the Tour return to longer, epic time trials? The debate continues.
Your Call — Is This Tour Evenepoel’s to Take?
We want to hear from you:
Who wins the 2025 Tour de France?
- 🔘 Tadej Pogacar
- 🔘 Remco Evenepoel
- 🔘 Primož Roglič
- 🔘 Jonas Vingegaard
- 🔘 Kévin Vauquelin
Drop your pick in the comments.
Remco Evenepoel isn’t just chasing white jerseys anymore. He’s chasing the biggest prize of all — yellow in Paris. And today’s performance was a powerful reminder that he’s more than capable of pulling it off.
Tour fans, buckle up. The battle for the Maillot Jaune just got personal.
