Pogacar claims record-equalling fifth Tour de France title
The 27-year-old secures general classification victory after rival’s stage 15 crash, cementing dominance that began in the early mountains.
Tadej Pogacar has secured his fifth Tour de France title, equaling the all-time record held by Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Jacques Anquetil, and Bernard Hinault. The 27-year-old Slovenian rider, competing for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, crossed the finish line on the Champs-Elysees on Sunday to complete a three-week campaign defined by strategic control and metronomic pace.
The victory was cemented following the withdrawal of Pogacar’s primary rival, two-time champion Jonas Vingegaard, who crashed out of the race on Stage 15. Pogacar had established his dominance from Stage 6 onwards, winning five stages in this edition of the race and maintaining a lead that his competitors could not challenge.
James Vasina, a FRANCE 24 journalist reporting from the finish line in Paris, noted the consistency of Pogacar’s performance. "From stage 6 onwards, he never let go," Vasina said, highlighting the Slovenian’s ability to maintain pressure throughout the latter half of the event.
In other classifications, Mathieu van der Poel won the final 88.7-kilometre stage around Paris. Meanwhile, teenager Seixas achieved a fourth-place finish in the general classification, a result described as stunning given his age and the competitive nature of the race.
Pogacar, a two-time world champion, now stands alone among the five riders in history to claim the yellow jersey five times. His victory marks a significant milestone in professional cycling, following a race where early mountain stages proved decisive in shaping the final outcome.
