PARIS — Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia crossed the finish line on the Champs-Élysées on Sunday to claim his fifth Tour de France title, tying the all-time record of five victories shared by Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault. The 27-year-old rider assumed the overall lead after stage six and never surrendered it, asserting control through the final time trial and the ceremonial final stage into Paris.
Pogacar’s margin of victory over his closest competitor stood at two minutes and 28 seconds at the conclusion of the 21-stage race, which spanned 3,472 kilometers across France and neighboring territories. His team, UAE Team Emirates, confirmed the win with a statement on social media, praising Pogacar’s consistency and tactical discipline throughout the three weeks of competition.
What Happened
Pogacar first wore the maillot jaune following stage six, a hilly route from Saint-Étienne to Mende that featured a decisive climb to the summit finish. After taking the leader’s jersey, he extended his advantage during the high-mountain stages in the Massif Central and the Alps, where his climbing prowess and time-trialing ability proved decisive.
The turning point came on stage 17, a queen stage over the Col de l’Iseran and the Col du Galibier. Pogacar launched a solo attack on the final climb, gaining over a minute on his rivals and effectively sealing his fate as champion. His performance in the individual time trial on stage 20 further solidified his lead, as he finished in the top three against the clock.
“I knew from stage six onwards that I had to be aggressive,” Pogacar said in a post-race interview. “The team gave me everything I needed, and I never let go.”
Why It Matters
Pogacar’s fifth victory places him in cycling’s pantheon alongside legends who defined their eras. Merckx won five consecutive Tours from 1969 to 1972, Indurain four in a row from 1991 to 1994, and Anquetil and Hinault each claimed five titles across the 1960s and 1970s. Pogacar is the first rider since Merckx to reach five wins, and at 27, he has the potential to surpass the record entirely.
His dominance also reflects the evolution of Grand Tour racing, where versatility across climbing, time-trialing, and tactical awareness has become essential. Pogacar’s ability to manage his energy across three weeks while attacking selectively mirrors the approach of Merckx, who similarly combined brute strength with strategic precision.
Beyond personal achievement, Pogacar’s success has elevated Slovenia’s profile in international sport. With a population of just over two million, Slovenia now counts among the smallest nations to produce multiple Tour champions, joining Belgium and Italy in that distinction.
Background and Context
Born in Ljubljana in 1997, Pogacar turned professional with Adria Mobil in 2016 before joining Trek-Segafredo in 2019. He burst onto the WorldTour scene by finishing second in the 2019 Tour de France, then won his first title in 2020 in a dramatic final-stage time trial against Primož Roglič.
His 2021 victory came after a crash in the opening week, and his 2022 and 2023 titles were marked by dominant performances in the Alps and Pyrenees. This year’s campaign was his most methodical yet, with no major mechanical issues or crashes disrupting his rhythm.
UAE Team Emirates, led by general manager Jim Ochowicz, has built its program around Pogacar since 2020. The team’s investment in sports science, nutrition, and race tactics has paid dividends, with Pogacar winning 11 stages and two jerseys during his five Tour victories.
The record itself has been a source of debate in cycling circles. Some analysts argue that the modern peloton’s depth makes five wins more difficult than in previous eras, while others contend that aerodynamic advances and equipment improvements have leveled the playing field. Pogacar’s coach, Srečko Sobon, declined to comment on the comparisons, stating only that “Tadej focuses on each day, not on history.”
What to Watch Next
Pogacar is expected to defend his title at the 2025 Tour de France, where he will face renewed challenges from Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and a resurgent Primož Roglič. Vingegaard, who finished second this year, has already signaled his intent to close the gap in the off-season.
The Slovenian rider will also compete in the Vuelta a España later this year, where he could become the first rider to win all three Grand Tours twice. His schedule includes the Giro di Lombardia in September and the UCI World Championships in September, where he will lead Slovenia’s squad in the road race.
Off the bike, Pogacar’s contract with UAE Team Emirates runs through 2026, and negotiations for an extension are expected to begin in early 2025. His market value, according to recent transfermarkt estimates, exceeds €50 million, making him one of the most valuable cyclists in history.
Cycling analysts also note that Pogacar’s success may influence team dynamics in the peloton. Rivals are likely to adopt more aggressive tactics in future Tours, particularly in the opening stages, to prevent him from settling into a rhythm early.
Conclusion
Tadej Pogacar’s fifth Tour de France title is more than a personal milestone; it is a statement of sustained excellence in one of sport’s most demanding competitions. By never relinquishing the lead after stage six, he demonstrated not just physical superiority but also mental fortitude and tactical intelligence.
As cycling looks toward the 2025 season, Pogacar’s record-equaling achievement sets a new benchmark for greatness. Whether he can break the five-win barrier remains uncertain, but his consistency and hunger suggest that history will continue to bend in his direction.
For now, the cycling world celebrates a rider who has redefined what is possible in the Tour de France, joining legends in a category of his own making.
Sources
https://www.france24.com/en/from-stage-6-onwards-pogacar-never-let-go-during-tour-de-france
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
Story synopsis gathered from: France24 News — source
