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Pogačar seals fifth Tour
Tadej Pogačar won a record-equalling fifth Tour de France on Sunday, joining Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin as the only riders to win five Tours.
Pogačar finished 6 minutes, 26 seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel in the overall standings, after Mathieu van der Poel won the final stage on the Champs-Élysées.
The Tour’s finale unfolded in Paris after a stage shortened because of wildfires elsewhere in France, with the stage looped around Paris and the start moved to Paris to reduce pressure on emergency services.
In the race’s decisive moments, Pogačar and van der Poel attacked on the final ascent of the Montmartre climb, with van der Poel holding off the chasing bunch at the line.
Pogačar also credited the moment in his post-race remarks, saying, "I’m speechless. It’s an incredible day, there was an incredible atmosphere," as he confirmed his fifth Tour title.
Van der Poel’s stage win
Mathieu van der Poel won the final stage after going clear with Tadej Pogačar on the last of three ascents of the Montmartre climb, then just about holding off the chasing bunch at the line.
Van der Poel said, "It was super hard and to be up there with the best rider in the world. All my respect for Tadej," describing the effort after his teammate edged out Mads Pedersen for second.
Pogačar’s GC victory came with a margin of 6:26 over Evenepoel and 9:42 over Isaac Del Toro, and the Tour’s final day ended with Pogačar finishing 30th in the stage.
The Guardian framed the Tour’s dominance through record-setting climbing, noting Pogacar broke records on climbs including the Col du Tourmalet and Alpe d’Huez.
Mathieu van der Poel’s sprinting rivals were present in the finale, with the stage winner holding off Jasper Philipsen and Mads Pedersen as the Champs-Élysées crowd roared.
Next goal: Vuelta
After winning his fifth Tour, Pogačar said he was not looking past the moment, telling reporters, "I now have to find a new goal to chase. Which goal? Let’s just not jump ahead of ourselves, and enjoy this moment."
“Lo sloveno Tadej Pogacar vince la sua quinta Grande Boucle, eguagliando il record che appartiene a Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault e Miguel Indurain”
The question mark over the Vuelta a España remained, with NBC Sports Boston noting the Spanish race starts on Aug. 22 and that Pogačar said, "Will I be at La Vuelta in a few weeks?"
Cyclingnews reported that Pogačar told his press conference he was "not thinking about any clubbing" and said he wanted to relax, come back home, and enjoy the small things in life.
Cyclingnews also said Pogačar planned to fly back home tomorrow and then attend a criterium on Friday in his home town of Komenda, Slovenia, kicking off a weekend that culminates with the Pogi Challenge amateur ride on Sunday.
The Guardian added that Merckx believes Pogacar will now go on to win a sixth Tour, quoting the 81-year-old Belgian: "He’ll soon break our record for Tour victories."
