As it turned out, Tadej Pogacar‘s spell in the polka-dot jersey lasted just the one day at the 2025 Tour de France. On stage 3, a perfectly timed attack from the Slovenian’s UAE Team Emirates – XRG teammate Tim Wellens, saw the Belgian national champion take the only King of the Mountains point on offer and take over the lead of the classification on countback.Although level on points Pogacar, Wellens takes the jersey by virtue of having won two climbs to his teammate’s one. “Last night, Tadej Pogacar and I talked about the possibility of me taking the polka dot jersey,” Wellens says in his post-stage interview, revealing the pre-meditated nature of the attack. “He told me he was happy to have it, but as he’s a generous person, he doesn’t mind sharing.
Now, Wellens gets to enjoy being one of the most easily recognisable riders in the bunch for at least a short while. “I’ve worn the polka dot jersey before and I know it’s an honour in the Tour de France, so I’m very happy,” he concludes. “Of course, I’m here to help Tadej, but my legs felt really good anyway and it didn’t take that much energy to go for the point.”