Tadej Pogacar wins Tour de France for a record-equalling fifth time | Cycling News
Tadej Pogacar Secures Fifth Tour de France Title
Published July 27, 2026
Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia clinched his fifth Tour de France title on Sunday, a victory that ties him with cycling legends Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain for the most wins in the race’s history. Pogacar, 27, representing UAE Team Emirates, completed the final stage of the competition, which was won by Mathieu van der Poel.
With a strategy focused on avoiding mishaps during the concluding stretch into Paris, Pogacar effectively secured his third consecutive Tour title. He expressed gratitude toward fans and competitors alike: “Thank you to all the fans and to all of France for hosting this great race. Thank you to my competitors for putting on a great show. We fought hard over the last three weeks,” he said.
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel finished second in the overall standings, while Mexico’s Isaac del Toro claimed third place.
Van der Poel Takes Final Stage
In a dramatic finish to the race, Pogacar and Van der Poel broke away on the final ascent of Montmartre with approximately 10 kilometers remaining. Although Pogacar’s challenge weakened in the final kilometer, Van der Poel managed to secure stage victory ahead of Alpecin-Premier Tech teammate Jasper Philipsen, with Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek taking third.
Reflecting on his win, Van der Poel, 31, stated, “When I was sick last year and had to watch the stage on television, I was already thinking about this moment.” He described the victory as a dream come true and praised Pogacar’s strength as a competitor.
Pogacar’s Dominance and Tour Challenges
Throughout the Tour, Pogacar demonstrated remarkable skill, securing five stage victories. His pathway to the yellow jersey was eased following the withdrawal of two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard, a significant rival, due to a crash during Stage 15.
The race’s traditional Paris finale was shortened to 89 kilometers from the original 133 kilometers due to security personnel being redeployed to assist with wildfires near Bordeaux. This year’s Tour also marked a notable first, as no riders from France, Italy, or Spain achieved stage victories, an unprecedented occurrence in the race’s history.
Pogacar’s triumph adds to a remarkable three weeks of racing since the Grand Depart in Barcelona, further solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in contemporary cycling.
