Tim Wellens Leads King of the Mountains After Stage 7 of Tour de France 2025
Double Ascents of Mûr-de-Bretagne Shake Up KOM Standings
Stage 7 of the 2025 Tour de France delivered not just drama in the general classification but also a decisive shake-up in the King of the Mountains (KOM) competition. Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) claimed the Maillot à Pois Rouges (polka-dot jersey) after a strong performance over three categorized climbs, including two punishing ascents of the iconic Mûr-de-Bretagne.
KOM Standings After Stage 7
The day’s profile featured three categorized climbs:
- Côte de Saint-Mayeux (Category 4)
- Mûr-de-Bretagne (Category 3) — climbed twice
Wellens aggressively targeted points on each ascent, narrowly edging out teammate Tadej Pogačar to take over the lead in the KOM classification.
Current KOM standings:
- Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) — 8 points
- Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) — 7 points
See all KOM Standings After Stage 7
It marks the first time in the 2025 edition that the polka-dot jersey has changed hands, adding another dimension to UAE Team Emirates’ dominance at this year’s Tour.
Tactical Teamwork from UAE Team Emirates
The stage was a showcase of tactical brilliance from UAE Team Emirates, with Wellens and Pogačar sharing the climbing duties. While Pogačar had his sights on stage victory and the Yellow and Green jerseys, Wellens focused on gathering crucial KOM points, ensuring the team took control of every jersey classification by the day’s end.
The Legendary Mûr-de-Bretagne Factor
The Mûr-de-Bretagne, a 2km ascent averaging 6.9% with sections over 10%, lived up to its reputation as a Tour de France kingmaker. Tackled twice in Stage 7, it provided a dramatic backdrop for the KOM contest.
Wellens claimed maximum points on the first ascent, while Pogačar took points on the final climb en route to his 19th career stage win. The shared spoils highlighted both riders’ strength and strategic cohesion.
What’s Next in the Mountains Battle
While Stage 8 is set to favor sprinters, the mountains competition will heat up again in the Massif Central and Pyrenees stages in the coming week. Wellens will wear the polka-dot jersey with pride, but with Pogačar just a point behind, the KOM battle is far from over.
Expect aggressive racing from both UAE Team Emirates riders and potential new challengers like Felix Gall and Giulio Ciccone as the Tour reaches its higher climbs.
Stage 7 of the 2025 Tour de France didn’t just reinforce Tadej Pogačar’s dominance — it also showcased Tim Wellens’ climbing pedigree. With Wellens now in the King of the Mountains jersey, UAE Team Emirates controls both the Yellow and Polka-Dot Jerseys, a rare and formidable achievement.
The stage set the tone for what promises to be an intense fight for mountain supremacy in the days ahead.
