🚴♂️ Kaden Groves Rockets to Stage 20 Glory in the Tour de France 2025 — A Solo Symphony Before Paris
Pontarlier, July 26, 2025 — On a day soaked in drama, speed, and pure opportunism, Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) uncorked a sensational solo win in Stage 20 of the Tour de France 2025 — his maiden victory at Le Tour, and the third for his team this edition.
This wasn’t just a sprinter out-kicking rivals — this was a calculated coup, launched 16.5 kilometers from the finish, executed with ice in the veins, and written into Australian cycling history.
🔥 How the Chaos Unfolded
The day’s narrative was born from a restless, punchy breakaway that included the likes of Frank van den Broek (Picnic-PostNL), Pascal Eenkhoorn (Soudal Quick-Step), Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ), and Jake Stewart (Premier Tech). Add to that Harry Sweeny (EF Education-EasyPost), who animated the early race and rightfully claimed the Combativity award.
The race was electric from the gun — attack after attack on undulating roads, drenched at times in rain and soaked throughout in ambition.
As the race approached the Côte de Longeville, Grégoire — the local hero — thrilled hometown fans by cresting the final categorized climb first. But on the descent, the script shifted dramatically.
🚨 Groves Gambles Big… and Wins Even Bigger
With 16.5 km to go, Groves made his move. Van den Broek and Stewart hesitated — and that was all the opening the Aussie needed.
He surged solo, building his lead to 40 seconds, then to nearly a minute over his chasers. The peloton? Irrelevant by then — over six minutes back and far removed from the headline.
Behind him, the chase fractured and flailed: Stewart caught, Van den Broek dangling, the others like Velasco and Eenkhoorn scrapping for podium crumbs.
By the final kilometer, the result was no longer in doubt. Groves raised his arms alone, triumphant in Pontarlier.
🏁 Top 5 – Stage 20, Tour de France 2025
- 🇦🇺 Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) — 4h 25m
- 🇳🇱 Frank van den Broek (Picnic PostNL) — +54s
- 🇳🇱 Pascal Eenkhoorn (Soudal Quick-Step) — +59s
- 🇮🇹 Simone Velasco (Astana Qazaqstan) — +1m04s
- 🇫🇷 Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) — +1m04s
See all the latest standings after stage 20.
🏆 More Than Just a Stage Win
- This marks Groves’ first-ever Tour de France stage win, and his 21st pro career victory.
- He becomes the 16th Australian to win a Tour stage.
- Alpecin-Deceuninck now boasts 30 Grand Tour stage wins, with three in this Tour alone — a masterclass in tactical racing.
📸 The Moment
As Groves approached the line, fans packed along the barriers roared. No need for a sprint — only a celebration. He pointed skyward, let out a yell, and etched his name in the Tour’s history books.
👏 Chapeau, Kaden.
From sprinting to soloing, Groves proved he’s more than just fast — he’s fierce, fearless, and ready for even greater heights.
And with Paris on the horizon, Alpecin-Deceuninck has every reason to toast — again.
