Tadej Pogacar Wins Fifth Tour de France Title to Join Elite Group of Riders

Tadej Pogacar Wins Fifth Tour de France

Tadej Pogacar woke up in Paris as the fastest and youngest cyclist to win five Tours de France. The 27-year-old Slovene took his fifth overall win on the Champs Elysées on Sunday evening in a thrilling final stage won by Matthieu van der Poel. Pogacar claimed his third consecutive Tour de France victory and fifth overall title. His victory places him level with Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin, and he is expected to continue racing in pursuit of a record-breaking sixth win.

When it’s not fun any more, that’s when he will stop, his mother, Marjeta, said. Asked how long her son might continue at his current level, she replied: Maybe 10 years – I don’t know, we’ll see.

Champs-Elysees Finale and Stage 21 Victory

Mathieu van der Poel Wins Stage 21 on the Champs-Elysees

The three-week Grand Tour’s final stage was won by the Netherlands’ Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech after a frantic charge to the line on the French capital’s famous cobbles in which he pipped team-mate Jasper Philipsen of Belgium by inches. Pogacar crossed the line on Paris’ Champs-Elysees in the peloton.

Remco Evenepoel Wins Tour de France Time Trial as Jonas Vingegaard Withdraws

I’m speechless. It’s an incredible day, there was an incredible atmosphere, Pogacar said. I’ve ridden seven Tours already and I’ve always finished on the podium. You might think this is a fairytale, it’s incredible for me too.

General Classification and Podium Standings

Remco Evenepoel and Isaac del Toro Complete the Podium

After competing strongly in Sunday’s 21st and exciting final stage in Paris, Pogacar finished 6 minutes, 26 seconds ahead of Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel in the overall standings. Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel finished second in the general classification, 6 minutes and 26 seconds behind Pogacar, while the Slovenian’s Mexican teammate Isaac del toro took third at 9 minutes and 42 seconds. Two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard was Pogacar’s main rival heading into the race but the Dane crashed out on the 15th stage.

Remco Evenepoel Wins Stage 16 Time Trial to Cut Tadej Pogacar’s Lead

International Press and Future Outlook

French Media React to Tadej Pogacar’s Victory

The French media were, broadly, supportive of Pogacar’s success, with L’Equipe lauding his membership of the “club of five”. Aujourd’hui called it a five-star triumph, while Le Figaro described Pogacar as untouchable, implacable and unbending. “Le Figaro”: Untouchable, relentless, unyielding: Tadej Pogacar confirmed his status as one of cycling's all-time greats after winning a record-equaling fifth Tour de France title in emphatic style.

Remco Evenepoel Wins Stage 15 at Tour de France as Jonas Vingegaard Exits

All-conquering Pogacar raised the idea that his remarkable reality is proving stranger than fiction, describing it as something you wouldn't even maybe write in a story book. Daring mountain attacks from deep, multiple stage wins and an ice-cool temperament all helped the 27-year-old Slovenian seal his victory on Sunday. Pogacar’s victory means he is positioned by many as the greatest cyclist of all time, superseding the achievements and status of Belgian legend Merckx. It also marks Pogacar’s third Tour win in succession and includes a record-breaking ascent of the iconic Alpe d’Huez on stage 19.