Tadej Pogacar has achieved a record-equalling fifth victory in the Tour de France, joining an elite group of cyclists including Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin. The Slovenian rider’s win concluded a race marked by challenging conditions and dominant performances.
The final stage in Paris saw Mathieu van der Poel claim his second stage win of the race on the Champs-Élysées. Van der Poel broke clear with Pogacar on the final climb of the Butte de Montmartre, holding off the pursuing sprinters.
Pogacar’s Dominance and Team Support
Pogacar, representing UAE Team Emirates-XRG, demonstrated significant strength throughout the Tour. He broke records on two notable climbs, the Col du Tourmalet and Alpe d’Huez, and secured five stage wins. His performance also helped his teammate, Isaac del Toro, secure third place in the general classification and the white jersey for the best young rider.
Del Toro, who finished second in the Giro last year, has now achieved podium finishes in two Grand Tours. Pogacar and Del Toro crossed the finish line together on stage 20, with Pogacar pacing Del Toro up the final climb. Pogacar expressed his appreciation for his teammates’ efforts over the three weeks.
The final podium saw Pogacar in first place, Remco Evenepoel of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe in second, and Del Toro in third. Pogacar finished the race overall by almost six and a half minutes ahead of Evenepoel.
Other notable jersey winners include Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek, who secured the green points jersey, and Richard Carapaz, who took the polka-dot mountains jersey for the second time in his career.
Challenges and Future Endeavours
The 2026 Tour de France was staged amidst heatwaves and wildfires, adding another layer of difficulty for the riders. Several prominent competitors, including Jonas Vingegaard and Florian Lipowitz, crashed out of the race.
Pogacar acknowledged the misfortune of his rivals, stating, “It’s the Tour, it’s three weeks. A lot of shit can happen.” Despite the challenges, he maintained his focus, leading to his fifth victory.
The success of Pogacar has led to discussions about his future in cycling. Eddy Merckx, a five-time Tour de France winner himself, believes Pogacar will go on to win a sixth Tour, surpassing the current record holders. Pogacar is also expected to compete in August’s Vuelta a España, aiming to win the only Grand Tour title he has yet to claim.
The Tour de France will head north for its 2027 edition, with a Grand Départ planned in Scotland. The initial stages are set to include Edinburgh to Carlisle, Keswick to Liverpool, and Welshpool to Cardiff before the race moves to France.
Pogacar’s team manager, Mauro Gianetti, addressed past controversies involving riders on his teams, stating he was a “victim” of these incidents. He referenced the 2008 Saunier Duval scandal and reiterated his commitment to clean sport, a sentiment echoed by Pogacar following night-time tests by the Independent Testing Agency (ITA) during the race.
The ITA tests, authorised by a Paris judge, were described by the UCI as an “exceptional measure.” Pogacar accepted the tests, stating, “If this is necessary to prove that we are riding clean, then I totally accept it. I commit to it.”
The final stage of the 2026 Tour de France was shortened from 133km to 89km due to the redirection of emergency services to tackle wildfires in the south-west of France.
Source: theguardian.com