Tour de France 2025 through the lens of James Startt - Stage 18
On each stage at the Tour de France, James Startt selects his image of the day, offering a unique perspective on the rolling citadel and the characters who inhabit it.
Tadej Pogačar’s previous visits to the Col de la Loze had not been happy ones. In 2023, the day of his ‘I’m gone, I’m dead’ radio concession, he lost all hope of winning the Tour de France. in 2020, on the Tour’s first visit to the climb, it looked as though his hopes were fading when he was distanced by compatriot Primoz Roglič near the end of the stage.
Third time was altogether more charming for Pogačar, who withstood Jonas Vinegaard’s offensive on stage 18 and then added 11 more seconds to his overall lead. He could see Paris from the summit, even with another Alpine stage to come.
Earlier in the day, Pogačar and Roglič found themselves together at the head of the race, after the yellow jersey responded to Vingegaard’s attack on the Col de la Madeleine and then bridged up to the early break.
The two Slovenians, forever united by their dramatic duel at the 2020 Tour, have been the most prolific Grand Tour riders of their generation. If Pogačar carries yellow to Paris on Sunday, he will bring his tally of Grand Tour wins to five, and move Slovenia’s overall total into double figures.
James Startt is covering his 36th Tour de France. He is a two-time winner of the World Sports Photography awards and he currently serves as the creative director to inGamba luxury cycling tours.
