Pogacar Claims Record Fifth Tour Title as Van der Poel Wins Final Stage
Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar secures his fifth overall victory, matching the historical record, while Mathieu van der Poel takes the final stage in Paris.
Tadej Pogacar has secured his fifth Tour de France title on Sunday, cementing his place in the sport’s history by matching the record held by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain. The Slovenian rider’s victory was effectively sealed after his primary rival, Jonas Vingegaard, crashed out during stage 15 of the race.
In the concluding 88.7-kilometre stage around Paris, Mathieu van der Poel claimed the stage win. Van der Poel had established a long breakaway alongside Pogacar, successfully resisting a comeback from the peloton to cross the line first.
The final classification saw significant movement at the top of the standings, with teenager Seixas finishing fourth in the general classification. This result marks a notable achievement for the young rider, who finished behind Pogacar, Vingegaard, and the eventual stage winner.
Pogacar’s fifth victory underscores a dominant performance in the general classification, despite the intense pressure from the chasing pack in the final kilometres. The win adds to his previous stage victories throughout the race, solidifying his status as one of the most successful riders in the event's modern era.
The race concluded on Sunday, bringing an end to three weeks of competition. The final stage served as a celebratory lap around the French capital, with Van der Poel’s tactical breakaway providing a dramatic finish to the event.
