Tadej Pogačar equals record with fifth Tour de France title
Slovenian cycling star Tadej Pogačar secured his fifth Tour de France title on Sunday, equalling one of the race’s greatest records after another dominant performance across the three-week competition. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider successfully defended the famous yellow jersey, cementing his place among cycling’s all-time greats with yet another commanding victory.
Pogačar entered the final stage with an unassailable overall lead, allowing him to celebrate his latest triumph after consistently outperforming his rivals throughout this year’s Tour. His victory places him alongside the legends of the sport who have won cycling’s most prestigious race five times, further strengthening his remarkable legacy at just 27 years of age.
Although the general classification had already been decided, the final stage into Paris delivered plenty of excitement. Heavy rain forced organisers to modify the traditional finish, but the riders still produced an entertaining finale that thrilled spectators lining the streets of the French capital.
The decisive action came on the final climb of Montmartre, where Mathieu van der Poel and Pogačar launched an attack with around 10 kilometres remaining. The pair broke clear of the peloton and worked together as a chasing group of sprinters attempted to close the gap before the finish.
As the race entered its closing stages, Pogačar began to lose momentum. With less than 700 metres remaining and the chasing pack rapidly closing in, Van der Poel made his decisive move. The Dutch rider attacked alone, leaving Pogačar unable to respond as he surged towards the finish line.
Van der Poel’s late acceleration proved just enough to secure the stage victory. In a dramatic sprint to the line, he held off Jasper Philipsen, his Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate, by just half a wheel length in a photo finish. Denmark’s Mads Pedersen completed the podium in third place after another impressive ride.
While Van der Poel celebrated the prestigious stage win, the day ultimately belonged to Pogačar. The Slovenian’s overall victory capped another exceptional Tour de France campaign in which he displayed his superiority in the mountains, time trials and key stages. His consistency throughout the race ensured that none of his challengers were able to threaten his grip on the yellow jersey.
Pogačar’s latest triumph further enhances his reputation as one of the defining cyclists of his generation. Matching the historic milestone of five Tour de France victories places him among the sport’s elite, and with several years of his career still ahead of him, many believe he has the potential to set a new all-time record.
As celebrations began in Paris, cycling fans around the world praised both the thrilling final stage and Pogačar’s remarkable achievement. His fifth Tour de France title marks another landmark moment in an already extraordinary career, while Van der Poel’s spectacular late attack ensured the race concluded with a memorable finish worthy of cycling’s biggest event.