Cycling betting tips: Tour de France stage two predictions, preview and best bets

As the Tour de France 2025 enters its second day, cycling fans can look forward to a thrilling Sunday of tactical battles and physical endurance. Read on to find a detailed preview and the best bet recommendation, and don’t forget to take advantage of the selected betting offers listed below to maximise your betting value.

Cycling betting tips: Tour de France stage two predictions

Can the Punchy Climbs Shake Up the General Classification in Boulogne?

• Stage 2 includes 2,550 metres of elevation gain, with three categorised climbs in the final 30km alone.
• The 209.1km route is the longest of this year’s Tour, demanding endurance and timing.
• Julian Alaphilippe placed fifth overall at the Tour de Suisse, hinting at strong form ahead of today’s challenging finale.

Our Best Bet

Today’s stage, stretching 209.1km from Lauwin-Planque to Boulogne-sur-Mer, promises to deliver something very different to the straightforward sprint of the opener. The picturesque yet demanding landscape of the Hauts-de-France will challenge riders in a variety of ways, with a route that twists westward towards the coast.

Although the day starts gently, the final third is anything but kind. Three categorised climbs are compressed into the closing 30km, culminating in a drag to the finish line that will sap the legs of the peloton. It’s a parcours that is likely to unseat the current yellow jersey holder, Jasper Philipsen, who benefited from a flat, fast finish on Saturday but now faces terrain unsuited to his sprinting strengths.

The coastal finale is also susceptible to wind disruption, with the possibility of crosswinds near Boulogne-sur-Mer playing havoc with team formations and breakaway strategies. Riders eyeing the general classification must be alert. A momentary lapse could lead to significant time losses, especially with exposed sections and steep ramps near Outreau and Saint-Étienne-au-Mont.

Riders like Tadej Pogacar and Julian Alaphilippe, both highlighted in pre-stage analysis, will be alert to the opportunities this terrain offers. For viewers in the UK, coverage begins from midday on TNT Sports and ITV4, providing comprehensive access to what could become a defining day early in the Tour. While the battle for stage wins will be intense, so too will the quiet wars waged within the GC ranks, where every second could matter down the line.

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Best Bet for Stage 2: Wout van Aert to win

At BettingTips4You, we focus on quality over quantity, delivering only one carefully selected prediction per event to make it easier for our readers to follow and track performance. This approach ensures clarity and accountability, avoiding confusion and maximising long-term profitability. For today’s action, our strongest selection is Wout van Aert to take victory on Stage 2 of the 2025 Tour de France.

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Despite not being among the top favourites in the betting market, Wout van Aert stands out as a compelling choice for this hilly challenge. The stage profile aligns closely with his hybrid capabilities—capable of surviving punishing climbs while still producing immense power in the final kilometres. With 2,550 metres of elevation gain and three tough ascents packed into the final section, this is a day tailor-made for a resilient rider with tactical nous and sprinting pedigree.

Although Philipsen wore the yellow jersey after dominating in Lille, he is not expected to feature prominently today. The terrain around Boulogne-sur-Mer, characterised by narrow roads, punchy gradients, and a rolling approach to the line, is likely to crack the sprinters and allow more versatile riders to thrive.

Van Aert has previously flourished in this kind of terrain, and even though he’s not the outright favourite, his experience and strength on similar finishes cannot be discounted. The exposed costal winds could disrupt team control, opening the door for riders like Van Aert who excel in chaos. With general classification contenders possibly looking at each other rather than attacking, he could be given the freedom to go clear. The physical toll of the Boulonnais hills and a decisive ramp in the final kilometre set the stage perfectly for him to pounce late and hold off any chasers to the line.

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