Slovenian star equals the all-time record after another dominant performance, while Mathieu van der Poel wins the dramatic final stage in Paris
PARIS — Tadej Pogačar has cemented his place among the greatest cyclists in history after capturing his fifth Tour de France title, matching the all-time record held by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain. At just 27 years old, the Slovenian superstar continues to redefine modern cycling with a level of consistency and attacking brilliance rarely seen in the sport.
The UAE Team Emirates XRG leader completed the 21-stage race with a commanding overall advantage of 6 minutes and 26 seconds over Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel. His teammate, Mexico’s Isaac del Toro, finished third overall in a breakthrough Tour de France performance that highlighted the strength of the UAE squad.
A Tour controlled from start to finish
Pogačar entered this year’s Tour de France as the overwhelming favorite. He quickly proved why.
From the opening week, he attacked on the toughest climbs, controlled the mountain stages and steadily built an advantage that no rival could erase. His aggressive racing style thrilled fans while forcing competitors to chase from behind throughout the three-week event.
He finished the Tour with five stage victories, demonstrating his versatility on mountain climbs, rolling terrain and difficult summit finishes. Every major challenge seemed to bring out another memorable performance from the Slovenian champion.
Rivals struggle to keep pace
Several contenders hoped to challenge Pogačar for the yellow jersey. However, circumstances quickly shifted the race in his favor.
Two-time Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard withdrew after crashing during Stage 15, removing Pogačar’s biggest rival from contention. Evenepoel continued to ride consistently and secured second place overall, while Del Toro exceeded expectations during his first Tour de France appearance by earning a podium finish and the white jersey for best young rider.
Richard Carapaz claimed the prestigious polka-dot jersey as the race’s best climber, while Mads Pedersen finished as the winner of the green points classification after another outstanding Tour.
A memorable finish in Paris
Although the overall winner was virtually decided before the final stage, Sunday’s ride into Paris still produced unforgettable drama.
Wildfires in southwestern France forced organizers to shorten the traditional final stage. Even so, spectators packed the streets as riders tackled the now-famous Montmartre climb before racing toward the Champs-Élysées.
Mathieu van der Poel launched a daring late attack and narrowly held off the charging sprinters to capture the prestigious Stage 21 victory. Pogačar briefly joined the Dutch rider on the final climb before safely crossing the finish line to officially secure cycling’s biggest prize.
Equaling the greatest champions
Only four cyclists had previously won the Tour de France five times. Now Pogačar proudly joins that exclusive club.
His latest triumph also marks a third consecutive Tour victory, strengthening his claim as the defining rider of this generation. Many cycling experts now believe it is only a matter of time before he captures an unprecedented sixth title and becomes the race’s most successful champion.
The numbers tell an incredible story. Five overall victories. Five stage wins during this Tour. Multiple Grand Tour championships. Countless unforgettable attacks. Yet Pogačar continues to race with the same fearless style that first made him a global star.
Following the finish, he celebrated with teammates, family and thousands of fans lining the streets of Paris. Instead of focusing solely on records, Pogačar thanked his teammates for their tireless work over three demanding weeks and praised the crowds who supported the race across France.
Cycling has witnessed many legendary champions over the past century. Now, Tadej Pogačar stands beside them.
With plenty of prime racing years still ahead, the Slovenian superstar appears ready to chase even greater history. If he wins another Tour de France, he will stand alone as the most successful rider the event has ever known.
Event Information
Event: Tour de France 2026
Champion: Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
Second: Remco Evenepoel
Third: Isaac del Toro
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