Pogačar Among Legends: Wins Fifth Tour de France, Makes History

Slovenian cycling sensation Tadej Pogačar has achieved a historic milestone, securing his fifth Tour de France victory on July 26, 2026. The 27-year-old UAE Emirates-XRG rider has now joined an elite group of cyclists who have won the prestigious race at least five times.

Pogačar's previous wins came in 2020, 2021, and now a consecutive streak from 2024 to 2026. He surpasses cycling legends such as France's Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, Belgium's Eddy Merckx, and Spain's Miguel Indurain, all of whom have also claimed five or more titles. Notably, Pogačar is the youngest rider ever to reach this five-time achievement.

The final stage of the race, traditionally ending on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, saw the overall classification times frozen 48 kilometers before the finish line. The stage, initially planned as a 132.2 km route from Thoiry, was shortened to 89 km and included additional laps around the Champs-Élysées, incorporating climbs on Montmartre, a route that gained popularity after being used in the 2024 Olympic road race.

Other notable achievements in this year's Tour include Pogačar's teammate Isaac del Toro of Mexico winning the white jersey for the best young rider. Ecuador's Richard Carapaz secured the polka dot jersey for the best climber after winning the 20th stage, while Denmark's Mads Pedersen claimed the green jersey for the best sprinter.