Tadej Pogacar sealed his legacy among the cycling greats – and perhaps holds a permanent seat at the top of the summit – after winning his fifth Tour de France on Sunday.
To be sure, the title was already in the bag. In fact, he won it weeks ago and the forced withdrawal of Jonas Vingegaard pretty much sealed it. Such is the dominance of Pogacar that he served as the domestique for teammate Isaac Del Torro on Stage 20 to help seal the Mexican champion’s place on the general classification podium (and
white jersey).
What made Sunday so special was seeing Pogacar put in a real effort on the Champs Elysee. It was a shortened and delayed course because of the wildfires, but the inclusion of Monmarte meant the final stage was exhilarating.
Pogacar went toe-to-toe with sprinting sensation Martin van de Poel, before the Belgian cyclist overpowered the Slovenian in the final 1,00m. This was also the only time I saw Pogacar looking tired the entire tour.
This was the second time Monmarte featured in the final stage of the Tour de France. It should be a permanent fixture.
The atmosphere is absolutely electrifying – so much better than watching cyclists go around the same loop for an eternity. Because Pogacar was so dominant this tour, and because the positions were pretty much already decided, the stage awarded the same time for all the general classification riders.
I can only imagine what this will be like when the margin of victory is smaller.
Until then, we have to celebrate Pogacar. He held the yellow jersey since Stage 6, romped to victory at Alpe de Huez in Stage 19 and helped push Del Torro to the podium on Stage 20.
He now joins a small list of other cyclists to have won the Tour de France five times, but he’s also only 27 years old. The question now is how much longer he’ll cycle for. Considering he said he wants Del Torro to be his successor, one wonders how much longer he has in mind.
Whatever the timeline I hope he has the chance to race against Vingegaard again, and that he continues to show some of the best moments the tour has on offer.
Fitzie’s track of the day: Bringing Me Down, by Jefferson Airplane
And now for your links:
The Athletic ($$): “Tottenham are in a rush to return to the summit but should not forget value of youth”
BBC: “Japan legend Miura, 59, scores first goal since 2022”
The Guardian: “Relentless Tadej Pogacar wins fifth Tour de France to equal record”
