Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar secured a historic fifth Tour de France victory, crossing the finish line on the Champs-Élysées in Paris within the main peloton to equal the all-time male record set by cycling legends Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain.
A Historic Fifth Title on the Champs-Élysées
The 27-year-old UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider cemented his status in endurance cycling history during the final stage of the three-week Grand Tour. While Pogačar safely negotiated the closing kilometers to claim the yellow jersey, the day’s stage victory belonged to the Netherlands’ Mathieu van der Poel. Racing for Alpecin-Premier Tech, Van der Poel navigated a frantic, high-speed charge across the famous French capital cobbles, pipping his Belgian teammate Jasper Philipsen by mere inches in a dramatic sprint to the line.
Across the entire three-week race, the Slovenian rider claimed five individual stage victories, utilizing an explosive launch and consistent, high-tempo pacing to outpace a competitive international field.
Reflecting on a Record-Equalling Achievement
Speaking to reporters after the race, Pogačar reflected on the magnitude of joining cycling’s elite group of five-time champions. “Victory is really special,” Pogačar said. “Thank you to all the fans and my team. But the biggest thanks goes to all my family who support me all my life. My parents – without them I would not be standing here five times already.”
Pogačar added that reaching the top step in Paris feels entirely surreal. “Seven Tours and seven times on the podium, and five wins, is something you wouldn’t even maybe write in a story book, and it’s unbelievable for me,” he noted. “It’s a magnificent podium with some incredible champions to fight with.”
The champion also acknowledged the attrition that shaped the race, specifically mentioning rivals who were forced out of contention. “It’s a shame Jonas [Vingegaard] crashed out this time and many others,” Pogačar said. “I hope they have a quick recovery and next year we fight again.”
Dominance and Reception in Modern Cycling
With 127 elite professional victories accumulated over an eight-year career, Pogačar has captured nearly every major one-day and stage race in the sport. His palmarès already includes victories at the Giro d’Italia, the Tour of Flanders, Milan-San Remo, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Giro di Lombardia, and the Road World Championships.
However, such sustained supremacy has occasionally divided observers and supporters. During stages across France, Pogačar faced sections of the crowd booing his performances—a reaction driven by frustration among some fans who feel his vast superiority over his peers diminishes the competitive suspense of the race. Observers and analysts have increasingly positioned the Slovenian as a candidate for the greatest cyclist of all time, potentially surpassing the historical stature of Belgian icon Eddy Merckx.
As the international cycling calendar moves toward autumn classics and subsequent preparation for the next grand tour season, teams and rivals will return to the drawing board to find an answer to the reigning champion’s tactical versatility and physical consistency.
