With 35,160 euros won over the three weeks of racing, Lenny Martinez is the Frenchman who pocketed the most prize money during the 2025 Tour de France. A performance highlighted by a decisive 14th stage in the Pyrenees.
Lenny Martinez only finished 79th in the final general classification, but that number doesn’t tell the whole story. At 22 years old, the climber from the Bahrain Victorious team was able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the race to stand out outside the final classification. In total, he accumulated 35,160 euros in individual prizes over the 21 stages.
The majority of this sum comes from a key day: the 14th stage between Pau and Luchon-Superbagnères. On that Saturday, the Cannes native went on the offensive. Present in the breakaway, he crossed first the Col d’Aspin (category 2), and then the Col du Tourmalet, which was an hors catégorie climb. This feat allowed him to earn several rewards.
He first claimed a 5,000-euro prize for crossing the Col du Tourmalet first. This prize was given in the context of the 50th anniversary of the polka dot jersey for the Jacques Goddet Souvenir. Additionally, he received 5,000 euros for reaching 50 points first in the mountain classification. Finally, as the most combative rider of the day, he received an extra 2,000-euro prize. The total for the day was nearly 14,000 euros by adding the points earned in the Col d’Aspin and Peyresourde.
These prizes, even though they are individual, are part of a collective practice. They are most often shared with the other team riders and staff. Therefore, Lenny Martinez significantly contributed to enhancing the economic balance of his Bahrain Victorious team in this Tour de France.
Lenny Martinez, best Frenchman in prize money on the 2025 Tour de France
Even though the 14th stage remains the highlight of his Tour, Lenny Martinez did not wait for that day to make his mark. He accumulated 2,640 euros in the last week and added 11,000 euros in bonuses thanks to his performances in the ancillary classifications. Although absent from stage podiums, his role as a climber and race animator was recognized.
He thus surpasses two other French riders in this prize money classification. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa – B&B Hotels), 10th in the overall classification, collected 29,730 euros. Valentin Paret-Peintre, the only French stage winner this year, follows with 17,950 euros.
The overall prize money classification of the 2025 Tour de France is led by Tadej Pogacar, with 628,030 euros, followed by Jonas Vingegaard (257,820 euros) and Florian Lipowitz (134,430 euros). Lenny Martinez ranks 9th with his 35,160 euros.
In total, organizers distributed 2.3 million euros among the 175 riders and teams present at the finish in Paris. Each rider still in the race on the Champs-Élysées received 1,000 euros, not including team bonuses.
In this parallel economy of the Tour de France, riders who animate the race, take breakaways, and crest the mountains in the lead can manage to stand out. The Tour de France of Lenny Martinez is an example of this.
