PARIS — Tadej Pogacar claimed his fourth Tour de France title on Sunday, cementing his standing as probably the most dominant rider of his technology and becoming a member of Britain’s Chris Froome on the all-time winners’ checklist.
The 26-year-old Slovenian, who beforehand triumphed in 2020, 2021 and 2024, delivered a near-flawless efficiency over three weeks, excelling in each division, even coming near prevailing on a spectacular closing stage on the Champs Elysees after an epic duel with Belgian Wout van Aert.
Pogačar had no have to contest the stage win, particularly given the hazard of crashing on slick roads. But because the rain fell closely, he confirmed his relentless thirst for victory and attacked anyway, setting an amazing tempo within the Montmartre climbs as followers cheered.
Solely 5 riders had been left with Pogačar on the third ascension of the 1.1-kilometer Montmartre hill, with Van Aert profitable the twenty first stage.
“This was one of many hardest Excursions I’ve ever been in,” Pogacar stated.
Two-time Tour champion Jonas Vinegaard completed the general race 4 minutes, 24 seconds behind Pogačar in second place and Florian Lipowitz, making his Tour debut, was 11 minutes again in third.
The aggressive ingredient was largely neutralized Sunday after organizers determined to freeze the instances with about 50 kilometers left within the stage as a result of hazardous street circumstances in driving rain.
It didn’t stop Pogacar from going for it, however Van Aert proved to be the perfect on the day, beating Italian Davide Ballerini and third-placed Matej Mohoric. Pogacar took fourth place.
The world champion successfully sealed his victory within the Pyrenees, with a brutal assault on the climb to Hautacam and a commanding victory within the uphill particular person time trial, leaving Vingegaard greater than 4 minutes behind earlier than controlling the race.
Along with his hi-tech gadgets triumph, Pogacar equals Froome (2013, 2015-17) and now solely trails biking greats Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil and Miguel Indurain, who share the report with 5 titles.
Pogacar additionally secured the polka-dot jersey for the mountains classification, underlining his all-round dominance, whereas Italy’s Jonathan Milan clinched the inexperienced jersey for the factors competitors.
Lipowitz gained the white jersey for the perfect U-25 rider.
Reuters and The Related Press contributed to this report.