Pogacar joins Tour de France legends with fifth victory

Tadej Pogacar has cemented his place in cycling history, winning his fifth Tour de France title and drawing parallels with legendary figures like Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain. However, the 27-year-old Slovenian cyclist expressed a desire to step away from the intense world of racing and savor the "small things in life" after his monumental achievement.

"Right now, I just want to enjoy the moment of winning the Tour de France," Pogacar stated. "Whether it's the first or the fifth, it doesn't make any difference because being able to wear the Yellow Jersey and cross the finish line in Paris as the winner is something extraordinary."

Despite the historic nature of his fifth victory, Pogacar emphasized his immediate priorities lie elsewhere. "I don't want to think about history or the group of legends. What I want now is to go home, rest, and enjoy the small things in life. I am very happy and proud because each Tour has a different story, meaning, and emotion," he shared. This sentiment suggests a desire for balance and a focus on personal well-being beyond the demands of professional cycling.

Pogacar narrowly missed out on winning the final stage on the Champs-Élysées, engaging in a fierce battle with Mathieu van der Poel in the closing kilometers. Van der Poel ultimately claimed the stage victory after a powerful surge in the final 700 meters. Meanwhile, Remco Evenepoel confirmed his status as a new contender in Grand Tours, finishing as the overall runner-up. "There wasn't a single word between us. We just rode all out to the finish line, but I ran out of energy. We both knew we had to give everything, and in the end, he deserved a beautiful victory," Evenepoel commented on his intense duel with Pogacar.