Tadej Pogacar Secures Fifth Tour de France Title

Tadej Pogacar has earned his place among cycling’s legendary figures by clinching his fifth Tour de France title. The Slovenian cyclist, at 27, displayed remarkable prowess through aggressive mountain strategies and maintained composure throughout the competition.

He joins an elite group of five-time winners, including Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Jacques Anquetil, and Bernard Hinault. “I’m speechless. It’s an incredible day, there was an incredible atmosphere,” said Pogacar. “I’ve ridden seven Tours already and I’ve always finished on the podium.”

In Sunday’s final stage in Paris, Pogacar maintained an overall lead of 6 minutes and 26 seconds over Belgian Remco Evenepoel. Jonas Vingegaard, a two-time champion and Pogacar’s main competitor, exited the race after a crash on the 15th stage.

“Shame that Jonas and others crashed out of this Tour,” Pogacar commented. “I hope we can all fight again next year.” Pogacar celebrated with his UAE Team Emirates teammates, finishing third in the standings was Mexican rider Isaac Del Toro, who trailed Pogacar by 9 minutes and 42 seconds.

Despite having won the Giro d’Italia in 2024, Pogacar has yet to claim victory in the Spanish Vuelta, which starts on Aug. 22. “Will I be at La Vuelta in a few weeks? Let’s see,” he remarked.

Sunday’s Stage Victory

Pogacar secured five stage victories in this year’s Tour, bringing his total to 26. Although he aimed for a win on Sunday, Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel clinched the victory, marking his second win this Tour and fourth overall.

The final 88.7-kilometer stage around Paris was mostly processional, differing from the entirely flat stages of previous years. The route was adjusted to relieve emergency services fighting wildfires in the southwest. The final stage included an intense uphill climb through Montmartre, challenging even for Pogacar.

Van der Poel launched a decisive attack on the last climb, holding off sprinters like Belgian Jasper Philipsen and Dane Mads Pedersen. “I thought the sprinters would catch us, so I launched my attack early,” Van der Poel explained.

Cycling Heritage

Van der Poel is celebrated as one of the finest cyclists, having won several one-day classics and Cyclo-cross world championships. His father, Adri van der Poel, won two Tour stages in the late 1980s. His grandfather, Raymond Poulidor, earned the nickname “The Eternal Runner-up” after consistently finishing second and third in the Tour during the 1960s and ’70s.

Women’s Tour

The women’s Tour kicks off in Lausanne on Aug. 1, concluding in Nice on Aug. 9. French cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt claimed victory in her debut last year.