Tensions flared at the 2025 Tour de France as Wout van Aert clapped back at Tadej Pogačar following a contentious moment in Stage 17 that left both riders with very different views on what defines sportsmanship. The Belgian powerhouse, who has been one of the most aggressive riders in this year’s Tour, didn’t mince words after the Slovenian superstar appeared to criticize his role in the final breakaway.
During the mountainous 178km stage from Pau to Pla d’Adet, Pogačar launched a furious attack in the final 5km, attempting to distance Jonas Vingegaard and secure a time buffer. Van Aert, who had made the day’s breakaway and was later caught by the GC group, opted to ride tactically rather than drop back to assist the yellow jersey contenders.
Pogačar, clearly frustrated after crossing the line just behind Vingegaard, said in his post-stage comments: “Some riders forget what fair play means. I was surprised Wout didn’t help, considering the situation. It felt like he was blocking more than contributing.”
It didn’t take long for Van Aert to respond, and he did so with sharp clarity. “If Tadej had let himself slide a little, he would have shown true sportsmanship,” Van Aert said at the Jumbo–Visma bus after the stage. “I had been in the break all day. My teammates fought to get me up the road. I wasn’t going to just pull the GC guys to the finish line. That’s not racing — that’s submission.”
He added, “I respect Tadej a lot, but this isn’t the first time he’s been unhappy when things don’t go his way. We all race with our own goals — not just to make his life easier.”
Van Aert’s response has drawn strong reactions, with many riders and analysts defending his right to race tactically. “He was up there fair and square,” said retired pro Philippe Gilbert on French TV. “Just because someone’s going for the yellow doesn’t mean others have to turn into domestiques for them.”
Still, others believe that Van Aert — known for his team-first attitude — could have helped keep the pace high, especially given Jumbo–Visma’s interest in weakening UAE Team Emirates’ grip on the Tour.
The incident adds a new layer to the growing rivalry between Pogačar and Van Aert, who’ve often found themselves on opposite sides of key tactical decisions. In previous Tours, their battles have produced fireworks — whether in the mountains, on cobblestones, or in crosswinds. But 2025’s edition seems to have struck a more personal tone.
“It’s emotional out there,” Van Aert admitted. “You give everything, and when someone questions your integrity, it stings. But I know why I ride, and I stand by my decisions.”
With just a handful of stages remaining — including a decisive time trial and a brutal climb up the Col de la Loze — the pressure is only intensifying. Pogačar still wears the yellow jersey, but the gap to Vingegaard is razor-thin, and tempers are beginning to fray.
Van Aert, meanwhile, remains in the hunt for the green jersey and another stage win. He made it clear that this episode wouldn’t derail his focus: “Criticism comes and goes. What matters is that I race hard, I race fair, and I don’t let drama dictate my next move.”
As the 2025 Tour de France barrels toward its final showdown in Paris, all eyes will be on whether the tension between Pogačar and Van Aert cools — or explodes again on the tarmac.
