Tadej Pogačar confirmed his place in cycling history on Sunday by claiming his fourth Tour de France title, putting him just one victory away from matching the all-time record.
After a dramatic final stage in Paris, Pogačar crossed the finish line on the Champs-Élysées wearing the yellow jersey for a second straight year. Though he launched a bold attack in an attempt to win the stage, Belgium’s Wout van Aert ultimately proved too strong, breaking away on the steep cobbles of Montmartre.
Pogačar finished the Tour with a commanding lead of four minutes and 24 seconds over Jonas Vingegaard, his long-time rival and a two-time Tour winner. Vingegaard launched numerous attacks throughout the race—especially during its grueling third week—but Pogačar consistently responded with ease.
The only moment of real separation came on Mont Ventoux, where Vingegaard briefly opened a gap. But on Stage 12, Pogačar launched a blistering attack on the Hautacam climb, gaining over two minutes on Vingegaard and essentially sealing the overall win. He also dominated both individual time trials, leaving his competitors trailing.
During the first two weeks, Pogačar was unstoppable, winning four stages and tightening his hold on the yellow jersey. Though he appeared mentally fatigued as the race wore on, he maintained control, pacing himself through the final stages to secure victory.
Pogačar made history by becoming the first reigning world champion to win the Tour de France since Greg LeMond in 1990.
With four Tour titles to his name, Pogačar now sits just behind cycling legends Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin—each of whom won five Tours. Lance Armstrong’s seven titles were stripped in 2012 due to doping violations.
Behind Pogačar, only Vingegaard finished within 10 minutes in the general classification. Germany’s Florian Lipowitz claimed third place, 11 minutes adrift, and also took home the white jersey for best young rider. Italy’s Jonathan Milan won the green jersey as the race’s top sprinter, while Pogačar also claimed the polka-dot jersey as the best climber. Photo by Hugo LUC, Wikimedia commons.