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Tour De France 2025: Philipsen Wins Opening Stage As Pogacar Finishes Safely

Jasper Philipsen won the opening stage of the Tour de France in a sprint to the line and defending champion Tadej Pogačar finished safely on Saturday. Pogačar is looking to win the showcase race for a fourth time on the back of great form this season. Stage 1 took riders on 185 kilometers (115 miles) in and around the northern city of Lille. Philipsen’s Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate Mathieu van der Poel put him in a great position to pull clear in the last 100 meters and win by a clear margin for his 10th Tour stage win.

Tour de France cycling race 2025 First stage in Lille photos_Jasper Philipsen
Tour De France 2025: First Stage | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

Belgium's Jasper Philipsen wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey celebrates on the podium after winning the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.9 kilometers (114.9 miles) with start and finish in Lille, France.

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Tour de France cycling race 2025 First stage in Lille photos_Jasper Philipsen
Tour De France 2025: First Stage | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

Belgium's Jasper Philipsen celebrates on the podium after winning the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.9 kilometers (114.9 miles) with start and finish in Lille, France.

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Tour de France cycling race 2025 First stage in Lille photos_Biniam Girmay
Tour De France 2025: First Stage | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

Eritrea's Biniam Girmay wearing the best young rider's white jersey celebrates on the podium after the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.9 kilometers (114.9 miles) with start and finish in Lille, France.

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Tour de France cycling race 2025 First stage in Lille photos_Benjamin Thomas
Tour De France 2025: First Stage | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

France's Benjamin Thomas wearing the best climber's dotted jersey celebrates on the podium after the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.9 kilometers (114.9 miles) with start and finish in Lille, France.

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Tour de France cycling race 2025 First stage in Lille photos_Jasper Philipsen
Tour De France 2025: First Stage | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

Belgium's Jasper Philipsen celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.9 kilometers (114.9 miles) with start and finish in Lille, France.

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Tour de France cycling race 2025 First stage in Lille photos_1
Tour De France 2025: First Stage | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

The pack rides during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.9 kilometers (114.9 miles) with start and finish in Lille, France.

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Tour de France cycling race 2025 First stage photos_2
Tour De France 2025: First Stage | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

The pack rides during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.9 kilometers (114.9 miles) with start and finish in Lille, France.

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Tour de France cycling race 2025 First stage photos_Belgiums Tim Merlier
Tour De France 2025: First Stage | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

Belgium's Tim Merlier pedals behind sport directors cars during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.9 kilometers (114.9 miles) with start and finish in Lille, France.

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Tour de France cycling race 2025 First stage photos_4
Tour De France 2025: First Stage | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

The pack rides during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.9 kilometers (114.9 miles) with start and finish in Lille, France.

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Tour de France cycling race 2025 First stage photos_5
Tour De France 2025: First Stage | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

The pack rides during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.9 kilometers (114.9 miles) with start and finish in Lille, France.

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