Pogacar wins fifth Tour de France as rival Vingegaard crashes out

Tadej Pogacar has claimed his fifth Tour de France title in 2026, cementing his dominance in the prestigious cycling race. The Slovenian rider effectively sealed his victory early on, building a significant lead in the Pyrenees and controlling the race with his UAE team throughout.

The decisive moment for Pogacar's rivals came during the stage to Gavarnie-Gèdre, where he established a gap of over two and a half minutes on his closest competitor, Jonas Vingegaard. In the subsequent week and a half, Pogacar rode as the undisputed leader, with his team dictating the pace and thwarting breakaway attempts from other squads.

While Pogacar expressed motivation and looked forward to a potential mountain duel with Vingegaard, the Danish rider's challenge was dramatically cut short. Vingegaard crashed on a roundabout twenty kilometers from the finish line during a stage intended to feature attacks on the Plateau de Solaison. The fall resulted in a complicated collarbone fracture, requiring surgery and ending his participation in the Tour.

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He looked strong. On the long climbs, he might be able to drop me.

This incident significantly diminished the competitive tension in the race. Pogacar himself acknowledged the sadness of seeing his rival forced out, noting the strong bond that had developed between them over the past five Tours, where they had consistently occupied the top two podium spots. He admitted that Vingegaard's presence had always provided him with a crucial challenge.

Following Vingegaard's withdrawal, Pogacar's UAE team appeared less dominant, and the rider chose not to pursue a fifth stage win on the Plateau de Solaison, allowing his teammate Isaac del Toro to contest the finish. The race, though decided, continued with a ceremonial stage in Paris, where Del Toro was set to win the young rider's jersey.

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I was still counting on his performance in the high mountains, where he would fly. It's sad to see him go home.