‘My Legs Just Didn’t Want to Continue Anymore’ – Mathieu van der Poel Fades in Tour de France Sprint Under Pogačar’s Pressure but Keeps Yellow Jersey
July 30, 2025 — France
Mathieu van der Poel, the tenacious Belgian-Dutch cycling sensation, gave everything he had in the closing kilometers of Stage 17 of the 2025 Tour de France — but in the end, even a world-class engine has limits.
In one of the most grueling and dramatic mountain sprints of this year’s race, van der Poel was visibly struggling as UAE Team Emirates’ Tadej Pogačar turned up the pressure on the final climb into Saint-Lary-Soulan. The two-time Tour de France winner launched a blistering attack that split the leading group, and van der Poel, who had fought valiantly to stay near the front, faltered just before the summit.
“My legs just didn’t want to continue anymore,” van der Poel admitted candidly at the finish line. “I was pushing, I was suffering, but when Tadej accelerated, I just couldn’t respond. I gave it all. I really did.”
Despite the dramatic fade in the final meters of the climb, the Alpecin–Deceuninck rider managed to retain the yellow jersey, thanks to the time buffer he had built up during previous stages and his tactical management throughout the day.
Pogačar Pushes the Limits
The stage from Bagnères-de-Luchon to Saint-Lary-Soulan was always expected to be decisive, featuring over 4,000 meters of climbing and several Category 1 ascents, including the legendary Col de Peyresourde. Early on, van der Poel appeared comfortable, riding in the main group and even taking short turns at the front — an aggressive move for a rider in yellow.
But as the race approached the final 5 kilometers, it was clear that Pogačar had other ideas. The Slovenian prodigy, who sits second overall in the general classification, surged with a brutal burst of pace. Riders quickly dropped off one by one as the tempo rose, with only a few able to match him — and van der Poel was not among them.
“I knew Tadej would go for it today,” van der Poel said. “He’s not the kind of rider who lets an opportunity pass. He smelled blood.”
Fighting the Fade
At around 1.5 kilometers from the finish, van der Poel’s cadence visibly dropped. His upper body rocked with each pedal stroke, and his face told the story: pain, fatigue, and frustration. Cameras captured the moment when he shook his head, clearly acknowledging that he had hit the wall.
Team director Christoph Roodhooft spoke after the race:
“We knew he was close to the limit. He gave more than we expected, and we’re proud. Keeping yellow in such a stage is a win in itself.”
And indeed, it was. Despite Pogačar’s heroic efforts and winning the stage by a narrow margin, van der Poel’s overall lead was trimmed by just 12 seconds — leaving him 24 seconds ahead of the Slovenian in the general classification.
Lessons from the Mountains
While van der Poel is known for his versatility — excelling in cyclocross, classics, and even time trials — the high mountains of the Tour have always been his Achilles’ heel. But this year, he has impressed even the most skeptical observers with his ability to survive deep into brutal Alpine and Pyrenean stages.
“I think this Tour has shown that I’m more than just a classics rider,” van der Poel noted. “I’ve learned so much about my body, about suffering, and about what it means to defend the yellow jersey.”
Despite today’s scare, his confidence remains intact.
“There are still some tough stages ahead, but I know now that I can suffer with the best. Even when the legs say no, the heart can push a little further.”
Eyes on Paris
With only a few stages left before the peloton arrives on the Champs-Élysées, the race for yellow is entering its final and most unpredictable stretch. Van der Poel, still in the maillot jaune, is aware that every second counts.
Tomorrow’s flatter transitional stage offers a brief respite before the final decisive individual time trial on Stage 20. While Pogačar is expected to be strong against the clock, van der Poel’s form in this Tour — and his unbreakable resolve — suggests he’s not giving up without a fight.
Final Word
What van der Poel lacked today in climbing legs, he made up for with heart. Even as his body screamed to stop, he pushed through — not for the stage win, but for the jersey, the pride, and the history he continues to chase.
“It’s not about being perfect every day,” he said. “It’s about surviving the worst ones with something still left to fight for.”
The Tour de France is not over. But today, Mathieu van der Poel proved once again that he’s earned his place in the yellow jersey — not just with his talent, but with his toughness.
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