Paris
Tadej Pogacar solidified his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists in history by triumphantly securing a fifth Tour de France title, matching the record.
The 27-year-old Slovenian showcased daring mountain tactics, achieved multiple stage victories, and maintained a calm demeanor, enabling him to clinch the win on Sunday. He now stands alongside cycling legends Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Jacques Anquetil, and Bernard Hinault, all of whom have also claimed five Tours.
“I’m at a loss for words. Today is remarkable, with an amazing atmosphere,” Pogacar expressed. “This is my seventh Tour, and I’ve consistently been on the podium. It may seem like a fairytale, but it’s just as incredible for me.”
After putting forth a strong performance during the thrilling final stage in Paris, Pogacar finished with an overall lead of 6 minutes and 26 seconds over Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel.
Jonas Vingegaard, a two-time Tour champion, was Pogacar’s primary competitor, but the Danish cyclist withdrew from the race during the 15th stage due to a crash.
“It’s unfortunate that Jonas and other cyclists had to exit this Tour,” Pogacar commented. “I look forward to competing against them again next year.”
Isaac Del Toro, Pogacar’s teammate with UAE Team Emirates XRG, a 22-year-old making his debut in the Tour, finished third, 9 minutes and 42 seconds behind Pogacar. He celebrated alongside his teammates as they proudly stood on the Champs-Élysées, with Pogacar smiling and signaling his victories.
“I’m not sure how I manage this,” Pogacar remarked. “Now I need to discover a new objective. What will it be? For now, let’s just savor this moment.”
Pogacar claimed victory at the Giro d’Italia in 2024 but has yet to secure a title at the Spanish Vuelta, which begins on August 22.
“Will I participate in La Vuelta in a few weeks?” he asked. “We’ll see.”
Unmatched Pogacar
Pogacar achieved five stage victories in this year’s Tour, bringing his total to an impressive 26.
He aimed for another win on Sunday, but the stage was ultimately claimed by Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel, who narrowly fended off the pursuing cyclists for his second stage win of the event and fourth overall.
The final stage on Sunday, spanning 88.7 kilometers (55 miles), circled Paris and was predominantly ceremonial, though it was less routine than previous editions, which typically featured entirely flat routes for sprinters.
The distance for the stage was reduced from 133 kilometers, and the start was moved from Thoiry, situated to the west of the capital, to Paris to alleviate pressure on emergency services addressing wildfires in the southwest. Some security personnel initially designated for the capital were redirected to assist in the response.
For the second consecutive year, the stage included the very popular ascent through the Montmartre district, a steep 1-kilometer climb that riders tackled three times before reaching the Champs-Élysées.
This climb proved to be a challenge even for Pogacar, who struggled to keep pace with Van der Poel’s strength in the final moments.
Just before 6 p.m. local time, Pogacar greeted Evenepoel and Ecuadorian veteran Richard Carapaz, who donned the polka-dot jersey awarded to the best climber, at the start line.
“I worked hard to earn this jersey, and it was an intense battle,” remarked the 33-year-old Carapaz. “Winning it feels amazing.”
Thrilling Conclusion
Van der Poel and Danish cyclist Mads Pedersen, who won the green jersey for best sprinter, were among the anticipated contenders for the stage victory.
The crowd erupted as the riders began their first ascent up Rue Lepic in Montmartre, with the iconic Sacré-Coeur basilica watching over them.
Pogacar surged forward after the second climb of Montmartre, accompanied by Van der Poel, Evenepoel, and Pedersen.
Van der Poel launched an attack on the third and final climb, with Pogacar effectively responding, and the two rivals surged ahead.
However, they were caught with 700 meters remaining, and as Pogacar began to tire, Van der Poel still had more to give.
Van der Poel crossed the finish line just ahead of his Alpecin-Premier Tech teammate Jasper Philipsen and Pedersen. Meanwhile, Pogacar eased off and finished in 30th place.
“I anticipated the sprinters would catch up to us, so I initiated my attack from quite a distance,” Van der Poel stated. “I expended every last bit of energy I had, and it was just enough.”
Cycling Heritage
Van der Poel is regarded as one of the premier cyclists globally, boasting several victories in one-day classics and Cyclo-cross world championship titles, along with being a former world road race champion.
His father, Adri van der Poel, secured two stage victories in the Tour during the late 1980s.
His maternal grandfather, Raymond Poulidor, was a French cyclist who raced in the 1960s and ’70s, finishing second in the Tour three times and third on five occasions. Known as “Poupou” and “The Eternal Runner-up,” he was beloved by fans in France.
Women’s Tour
The women’s Tour, spanning nine stages, will commence in Lausanne, Switzerland, on August 1 and conclude in Nice on August 9.
Last year, Frenchwoman Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt triumphed in her debut.
