Stage 7 – Saint-Malo to Mûr‑de‑Bretagne 197 km

🚴‍♂️ Tour de France 2025 – Stage 7 DS Insights Preview

📍 Route: Saint‑Malo → Mûr‑de‑Bretagne (Guerlédan)
📆 Date: 11 July 2025
📏 Distance: 197 km (122.4 mi)
⛰ Terrain: Hilly, with two ascents of the Mûr‑de‑Bretagne (2 km at 6.9%, touching 10–13% in parts)
🌍 Region: Brittany, France

🧠 DS Tactical Takeaways

1. Visma Protects Vingegaard
Team Visma | Lease a Bike will ride with single-minded focus on Jonas Vingegaard—keeping him safe, well-positioned, and sheltered. He may not punch with the likes of Van der Poel or Pogacar, but there’s no room to lose time.

2. Break Composition & Team Roles
If a non‑GC break gains traction, expect UAE and Alpecin–Deceuninck to work in tandem to reel it back. With Alpecin defending yellow and UAE targeting bonus seconds, timing and cooperation will be key.

3. First Ascent Fireworks
The initial Mûr-de‑Bretagne may be the launchpad for early aggression—think opportunistic punches offering both tactical edge and morale boost. Teams with depth can tease the field before the finale.

4. Summit Bonus Seconds Battle
Bonus seconds on the second summit could swing the GC. Van der Poel and Pogacar will eye them closely, a well‑timed move for bonus seconds might flip the standings by mere seconds.

🔍 Additional Race Insights

• The last time the tour used the Mûr‑de‑Bretagne configuration was last in 2021. Van der Poel attacked twice—seizing yellow and shaking Pogacar.
• The climb rewards pure punchers and classics riders. Early steep ramps (up to 13%) mean those who manage explosive efforts early will have advantage into the finishing loop. Has Van der Poel recovered from yesterday’s effort to have a chance today?
• It’s going to be a hot and warm day out on the bike with dry conditions (upwards of 30 °C) There are always coastal breezes in this area which could result in the peloton splitting again. Focus will be required.
• Van der Poel is in yellow, if he has recovered, he may be proactive at the start of the stage. He will be happy to let a break go up the road and then rely on his team and the other GC contender’s teams to assist in keeping the break under control.

🎯 Key Stage Angles to Watch

• First Mûr Launch: Aggressive riders may test legs early—could define who’s spoiling for the finale.
• Peloton Control: Alpecin and UAE’s tempo will shape the race. Allowing too much freedom to breakaway risks a surprise.
• Bonuses Impact: Moments for GC shake‑ups are small—expect precision in timing and positioning.

⏭ What to Expect Today

• A controlled but hard‑fought early race with punctuated attacks on the first ascent.
• Select group or punchy rider takes on final Mûr—could be Van der Poel, Pogacar, or a puncheur surprise, Julian Alaphilippe may have a go. He would be wise to try get into an early break, +20’16” down on GC, the peloton will let him go.
• Bonus seconds may provide fresh drama in the GC.
• Vingegaard’s team race will be all about damage limitation—holding steady with the main rivals, while Van der Poel will be about how well he recovered overnight.