Tadej Pogacar underlined his dominance of modern cycling by sealing a fourth Tour de France title on Sunday, delivering a performance of tactical brilliance and sheer endurance that further cements his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
The 26-year-old Slovenian, riding for UAE Team Emirates XRG, crossed the finish line in Paris in the yellow jersey, matching Chris Froome’s tally of four overall victories and moving within one win of the all-time record shared by cycling legends Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil and Miguel Indurain.
The final stage, traditionally a ceremonial procession into the French capital, turned into a gritty battle under treacherous conditions. Persistent rain forced organisers to neutralise the general classification times with 50 kilometres remaining, but that did little to dampen the competitive fire. A dramatic finale unfolded on the cobbled ascents of Montmartre, where Belgian star Wout van Aert launched a decisive attack to take the stage win ahead of Italy’s Davide Ballerini and Slovenia’s Matej Mohoric. Pogacar, never content to merely parade in yellow, fought to the line and finished fourth.
“Just speechless to win a fourth Tour de France,” said Pogacar, visibly emotional on the podium. “Six years in a row on the podium and this one feels especially amazing. I’m super proud that I can wear this yellow jersey.”
Having won the Tour in 2020, 2021, and 2024, Pogacar was once again untouchable across the three-week race. His overall triumph was effectively secured in the Pyrenees with a brutal surge on the climb to Hautacam, followed by a commanding victory in the uphill individual time trial. His chief rival, Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark, finished 4 minutes and 24 seconds behind, a significant gap in a contest often decided by seconds.
German debutant Florian Lipowitz rounded out the podium, finishing third overall and taking the white jersey as best young rider, 11 minutes adrift of Pogacar. “This was one of the hardest Tours I’ve ever been in,” Pogacar admitted, reflecting on the treacherous weather, punishing climbs, and relentless competition.
The Slovenian’s supremacy was not limited to the general classification. He also claimed the polka-dot jersey for the mountains competition, underscoring his all-around ability across terrains and disciplines. Meanwhile, Italy’s Jonathan Milan claimed the green jersey for the points classification after a consistent showing in the sprints.
For Ineos Grenadiers, once the Tour’s dominant force, there was little cause for celebration. While Thymen Arensman provided two stage wins, the British team was otherwise quiet, and Geraint Thomas, champion in 2018, completed what is likely to be his final Tour with minimal impact. The team’s subdued performance comes amid ongoing scrutiny following doping allegations reported in recent weeks.
Despite the neutralisation of times, the final stage was anything but routine. The decision to include the Montmartre climbs added spice to the closing laps and transformed the usually ceremonial conclusion into a fierce contest for the stage victory. Van Aert, renowned for his versatility and aggression, proved strongest, launching a solo attack that earned him a well-deserved win on the Champs Elysées.
As the rain-soaked celebrations unfolded beneath the Eiffel Tower, Pogacar stood atop the podium once again — defiant, dominant, and destined for the pantheon of the sport’s greatest champions.
