Kévin Vauquelin 12th in the Loze, 7th overall

Race reportJul 24, 2025

World Team TeamTour de France

Discovering the great mountain stages in the role of a general classification rider, Kévin Vauquelin fulfilled his role between Vif and the Col de la Loze, considered to be the queen stage of the Tour de France.

Kévin Vauquelin

I managed to maintain my pace on the first ramps of the climb to the Col de la Loze. I knew that's how I should race, by smoothing out my effort. That's also what I did on the Col de la Madeleine. As soon as I got to the Glandon, I realised that I didn't have the best legs. But I didn't give in. Ewen Costiou really helped me when things got tougher on the Madeleine. I then caught up with Jordan Jegat and Warren Barguil, who rode in the valley with one of his team-mates, which enabled me to link up with the yellow jersey peloton before the final climb. I'm happy with my day. I didn't flinch, far from it. I fought with my weapons. I rode straight uphill and managed my efforts. I won't give up. I wasn't familiar with these passes, I'd never spent such a hard day on the bike, with so many gradients. I'm not ashamed of my performance. It's encouraging, especially for the future.

Laurent Pichon

Sport director

Great mental strength from Kévin Vauquelin and the whole ARKEA-B&B HOTELS team on this stage, which finished at the summit of the Col de la Loze. Cristián and Raùl fought hard to get into the breakaway, as we had asked them to do at this morning's briefing. Ewen accompanied Kévin over the Col de la Madeleine, and was a great support to him both physically and mentally. He then had a great descent and the misunderstanding at the front of the yellow jersey group enabled him to make the junction before the ascent to the Col de la Loze. He stayed in contact with the yellow jersey peloton for a long time on this final climb and only gave up when Narvaez accelerated. It was a long stage for him. The ARKEA-B&B HOTELS team supported him. Beyond the physical battle, it was a mental battle. It will be the same on Friday, but we won't give up.

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