Tadej Pogacar secured his third Tour de France victory on Sunday, adding to his earlier triumphs in 2020 and 2021. The 25-year-old Slovenian clinched the final day’s time-trial, with defending champion Jonas Vingegaard finishing second, 1 minute and 3 seconds behind on the day, securing second place overall ahead of Remco Evenepoel, who was disappointed with third place both on the day and in the general classification.
Remarkably, Pogacar won six stages during this year’s Tour de France, matching his achievement from the 2024 Giro d’Italia. The race’s traditional conclusion on the Champs Elysees was altered due to the nearby Olympic Games in Paris, culminating instead on the French Riviera in Nice.
Pogacar seized the overall lead early in the race during a downhill stretch on day four as the tour transitioned from Italy through the Alps into France. By the time the race returned to the Alps, Pogacar had built a commanding lead of 3 minutes, leaving Vingegaard struggling following a major crash in March.
Following the Queen stage on day 19, Pogacar effectively sealed his victory, while Vingegaard and his team focused on securing second place. Despite Vingegaard’s earlier crash and determination to win another stage, Pogacar consistently outperformed his rivals throughout the tour.
Other notable achievements included Evenepoel’s victory in the first time-trial of the second week and his third-place finish overall, earning him the white jersey for best young rider. Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay also made headlines by winning three stages and claiming the sprint points green jersey.
Throughout the tour, Olympic champion Richard Carapaz was celebrated as the most aggressive rider, winning a stage and wearing the polka dot jersey for best climber. Mark Cavendish marked his remarkable career with a record 35th stage win, acknowledging his achievements with a special podium presentation in Nice.
Reflecting on his future, Cavendish hinted that this tour might be his last race, sharing a poignant moment with his family amidst the celebrations.
