Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar won his fifth Tour de France title. He secured his third consecutive win in cycling's biggest race. This achievement puts him among four other riders who have won five Tours.
The 27-year-old cyclist, known as "Pogi," just needed to finish the final stage without problems. He now joins Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain as a five-time champion. Belgium's Remco Evenepoel finished second overall. Mexico's Isaac del Toro took third place.
Pogacar thanked the fans and France for hosting the race. He also thanked his competitors for a great show over the past three weeks.
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Start Your News DetoxVan der Poel Takes Final Stage
Mathieu van der Poel won the final stage. Pogacar and Van der Poel broke away on the last climb of Montmartre. They had about 10 kilometers (6 miles) left. They held a small lead as the chasing group closed in.
Pogacar's challenge faded in the last kilometer. But Van der Poel pushed on to win in a photo finish. His teammate Jasper Philipsen came in second, and Mads Pedersen was third.
Van der Poel, 31, said he thought about this moment last year when he was sick. He called the win a dream and incredible. He respected Pogacar, calling him the best rider in the world. Van der Poel said he put his head down in the last 500 meters and went as hard as he could. He was happy to win one of the races he always wanted to.
Pogacar's Dominance
Pogacar showed his strength by winning five stages during the Tour. His path to a third yellow jersey became easier when Jonas Vingegaard withdrew. Vingegaard, a two-time Tour winner and Pogacar's main rival, crashed on Stage 15.
The Tour's final stage in Paris was shorter this year. Security forces were moved to help fight wildfires near Bordeaux. Stage 21 was cut to 89 kilometers from the original 133 kilometers.
This year's race also had a unique first. No rider from France, Italy, or Spain won a stage. This is the first time this has happened in the Tour de France. These three nations created and host cycling's Grand Tours.
Pogacar's win finishes three weeks of racing that started in Barcelona. It solidifies his position as the top rider of his generation.
UAE Team Emirates XRG’s Tadej Pogacar, wearing the yellow jersey, and UAE Team Emirates XRG’s Isaac Del Toro, wearing the white jersey, celebrate with their teammates after stage 21 [Garnier Etienne/Reuters]
