Jasper Philipsen has won the opening stage of the Tour de France in a sprint to the line in Lille. Defending champion Tadej Pogačar finished safely.

The biggest race of the year has started: the Tour de France. On Saturday, July 5, the peloton started from Lille, with the race set to conclude three weeks later with the (not so) traditional finish in the French capital,

The Visma-Lease a Bike team of Jonas Vingegaard were the protagonists, with several contenders for the overall classification — including Remco Evenepoel — distanced as the echelons formed. That main part of the peloton, which also contained Primoz Roglic and Geraint Thomas, ended up losing 49 seconds to the stage winner.

Cycling fans turned out in numbers in the northern French city of Lille on Saturday (July 5) as star cyclists from around the world kicked off the Tour de France at the Grand Depart. Wimbledon Day 5: Sabalenka fights off Raducanu, Alcaraz marches on, Keys and Osaka crash out at Wimbledon

The first week takes place across the north of France and will be targeted by the sprinters, rouleurs and puncheurs, as the opening nine days feature a mix of flat and hilly stages, with an individual time trial on day five.

The 2025 edition of the Tour de France cycle race begins in the northern city of Lille on Saturday, with title contenders Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard set to renew their sporting rivalry. The tour itinerary this year takes place exclusively in France and favours climbers.