Tadej Pogacar wins record-equaling fifth Tour de France title

Tadej Pogacar etched his name into cycling history on Sunday, securing a record-equaling fifth Tour de France title that cements his place among the sport’s all-time greats. The 27-year-old Slovenian, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, completed the 21-stage race in 73 hours, 56 minutes, and 26 seconds, finishing 6 minutes, 26 seconds ahead of Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel in the general classification. His victory places him alongside legends like Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Jacques Anquetil, and Bernard Hinault, who each claimed five Tour titles.

Pogacar’s dominance was underscored by his ability to navigate the race’s most grueling terrain, including the challenging Montmartre climb in Paris, which featured three ascents during Sunday’s 88.7-kilometer final stage. The stage, shortened from 133 kilometers to alleviate pressure on emergency services battling wildfires in southwestern France, saw Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel claim a narrow stage win over Belgian teammate Jasper Philipsen. Pogacar, however, chose to conserve energy, finishing 30th in the stage but maintaining his overall lead.

The Slovenian’s triumph was not without adversity. His primary rival, two-time champion Jonas Vingegaard, crashed out on the 15th stage, removing a key obstacle to Pogacar’s path. “Shame that Jonas and others crashed out of this Tour,” Pogacar said, expressing hope for a rematch in future editions. His teammate Isaac Del Toro, a 22-year-old Mexican making his Tour debut, secured third overall, 9 minutes and 42 seconds behind Pogacar, who celebrated with his squad on the Champs-Élysées.

“I’m speechless. It’s an incredible day, there was an incredible atmosphere,” Pogacar said, reflecting on his achievement. The rider, who has now won 26 stages across seven Tour participations, acknowledged the surreal nature of his success. “You might think this is a fairytale, it’s incredible for me too.” His comments highlighted the rarity of his feat, as he became the first cyclist to win five overall titles, joining an elite group of riders.

The final stage’s adjustments due to wildfires added an unusual layer to the race. Organizers shifted the start from Thoiry to Paris, reducing the distance to ease strain on emergency services. Despite the changes, the Montmartre climb remained a focal point, testing riders’ endurance. Pogacar, though unable to match van der Poel’s sprint power in the closing kilometers, remained composed, a trait that defined his race. “I don’t know how I do it,” he admitted, hinting at the mental and physical toll of his pursuit. “I now have to find a new goal to chase.”

Pogacar’s future remains uncertain, though he left the door open for participation in the upcoming Spanish Vuelta, which begins on August 22. “Will I be at La Vuelta in a few weeks?” he asked, offering no definitive answer. His focus, for now, is on the legacy he has built. The Slovenian’s five Tour titles place him in an elite group, but his style—marked by audacious mountain attacks and tactical precision—has drawn praise from peers.

The 2026 Tour also saw Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz claim the polka-dot jersey for best climber, a hard-fought victory he described as “the best feeling to win.” Meanwhile, van der Poel’s stage win highlighted his status as one of the sport’s premier sprinters, despite his family’s cycling pedigree. The Dutch rider’s father, Adri van der Poel, won two Tour stages in the 1980s, while his maternal grandfather, Raymond Poulidor, remains a French cycling icon despite never winning the Tour.

As the men’s race concluded, attention turned to the women’s Tour, which begins in Lausanne on August 1. French rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt, who won the inaugural edition last year, will aim to defend her title. For Pogacar, however, the focus remains on the legacy he has created. With five Tours to his name, he has matched the achievements of cycling’s greatest, securing his place in the sport’s history.