Pogacar wins record-equalling fifth Tour de France as Van der Poel takes final stage

Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar has cemented his place in history by winning his fifth Tour de France title, a record-equalling achievement. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider crossed the finish line on Paris' Champs-Elysees as part of the peloton, joining an elite group of riders including Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain.

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Victory is really special. Thank you to all the fans and my team. But the biggest thanks goes to all my family who support me all my life. My parents - without them I would not be standing here five times already.

This victory marks Pogacar's third consecutive Tour de France win and adds to his already impressive list of accolades. His dominant performance included a record-breaking ascent of Alpe d'Huez during stage 19, showcasing his explosive power and consistent pace that has left rivals struggling to compete. Pogacar has achieved victories in nearly every major cycling race, further solidifying his reputation.

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Seven Tours and seven times on the podium, and five wins, is something you wouldn't even maybe write in a story book, and it's unbelievable for me.

Despite his unparalleled success, Pogacar has faced some criticism from fans who feel his dominance diminishes the sport's competitive spirit. However, his supporters view him as one of the greatest cyclists of all time, surpassing even the legendary Eddy Merckx. Pogacar expressed his gratitude for the support of his fans and family, calling his fifth win "unbelievable."

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It's a magnificent podium with some incredible champions to fight with.

The final stage of the race saw a dramatic sprint finish, with the Netherlands' Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech narrowly beating Denmark's Mads Pedersen. The revised final stage route, featuring a cobbled climb over Montmartre, encouraged powerful riders like Van der Poel to challenge for the stage win. Pogacar acknowledged the absence of key rivals like Jonas Vingegaard due to crashes, expressing hope for their recovery and a competitive race next year.

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It's a shame Jonas [Vingegaard] crashed out this time and many others. I hope they have a quick recovery and next year we fight again.