Tadej Pogacar’s fifth Tour de France ties all-time record
Tadej Pogacar won his fifth Tour de France in Paris, joining four cycling greats atop the race’s all-time winners list.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Tadej Pogacar’s fifth Tour de France title is now in the books, and it puts the Slovenian rider level with the most decorated names in the race’s history.
The Associated Press reported that Pogacar clinched the record-tying victory Sunday after finishing safely in the 21st and final stage in Paris. The result gave the 27-year-old his fifth overall Tour de France crown.
According to AP, Pogacar finished 6 minutes, 26 seconds ahead of Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel in the overall standings. Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates XRG teammate Isaac Del Toro, a 22-year-old Mexican riding in his first Tour de France, was third.
What record did Tadej Pogacar tie?
Pogacar matched the Tour de France record of five overall titles. AP reported that he joins Belgian Eddy Merckx, Spaniard Miguel Indurain, and Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault as the only riders to win the Tour five times.
That is rare company in cycling’s signature race. Merckx, Indurain, Anquetil and Hinault have long stood as the benchmark for Tour de France dominance, and Pogacar has now pulled even with them at age 27.
How did Pogacar seal the win?
The final step came in Paris, where AP said Pogacar completed the 21st stage without trouble. In a race decided by cumulative time across all stages, staying out of danger on the last day was enough to secure the overall title.
AP described Pogacar as having dominated this year’s race. His final advantage over Evenepoel, 6:26, left no suspense at the top of the standings once the field reached the finish of the last stage.
The podium also underlined the strength of Pogacar’s team. Del Toro, racing the Tour for the first time, placed third while riding for the same UAE Team Emirates XRG squad as Pogacar, according to AP.
- Pogacar won his fifth Tour de France title Sunday.
- He tied the all-time record for Tour victories.
- He finished 6:26 ahead of Remco Evenepoel in the overall standings.
- Isaac Del Toro, Pogacar’s teammate and a Tour debutant, was third.
For Pogacar, the Paris finish was more than a victory lap. It was the day his name moved onto the top line of the Tour de France record book alongside four of the sport’s defining champions.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.