Belgian cyclist Tim Wellens celebrated his first-ever Tour de France stage victory on Sunday, delivering a commanding performance during stage 15. The 34-year-old UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider, who has spent much of the race supporting team leader Tadej Pogacar, seized the opportunity to shine on the 169.3km route from Muret to Carcassonne.
Wellens broke away on the final climb, the Pas du Sant, and maintained his lead to cross the finish line one minute and 28 seconds ahead of compatriot Victor Campenaerts. French rider Julian Alaphilippe, a two-time world champion, rounded out the podium in third place. Pogacar finished comfortably in the peloton, over six minutes behind, to retain his overall lead of four minutes and 13 seconds over Jonas Vingegaard.
"It is a very special victory," Wellens said after the race. "Everybody knows the Tour de France, but not many people win in the Tour de France, so it was very beautiful." His triumph marked UAE Team Emirates' fifth stage win this year, with Pogacar claiming the other four.
Stage 15, a transitional route following three grueling days in the Pyrenees, was tailor-made for a breakaway. Wellens capitalized on his strong form during the final climb, distancing himself from a lead group of eight riders. Despite a brief regrouping on the descent, he launched a decisive attack with 44km remaining, leaving his competitors unable to close the gap.
"I felt super good," Wellens added. "On the last climb of the day, I felt really strong. I knew I had to go solo, and I had the legs to keep it to the end." Pogacar, a three-time Tour winner, expressed his joy for his teammate: "I am more happy for him than when I win. Beyond happiness."
The race now heads into its second rest day before resuming on Tuesday with a challenging 171.5km stage from Montpellier, culminating in the iconic ascent of Mont Ventoux. Pogacar acknowledged the toughness of the second week but remains focused on the battles ahead. "The gap is now big, but we still have big mountains to come. We need to fight until the end," he said.
Stage 15 Results: 1. Tim Wellens (Bel/UAE Emirates-XRG) - 3hrs 34mins 9secs 2. Victor Campenaerts (Bel/Visma-Lease a Bike) - +1min 28secs 3. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Tudor) - +1min 36secs
General Classification After Stage 15: 1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Emirates-XRG) - 54hrs 20mins 44secs 2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) - +4mins 13secs 3. Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) - +7mins 53secs
The 2025 Tour de France will conclude in Paris on July 27, with Pogacar aiming to secure his fourth overall victory.
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