Tadej Pogacar equals cycling legends with fifth Tour de France win

Tadej Pogacar has achieved a remarkable fifth victory in the Tour de France, cementing his place among the sport's all-time greats. The Slovenian cyclist now stands alongside legends such as Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain, who have also claimed the prestigious title five times.

Pogacar, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, entered the final stage with a commanding lead of nearly six and a half minutes over his closest competitor, Remco Evenepoel of Belgium. While he competed for the stage win on the Champs-Élysées, fatigue ultimately prevented him from securing victory on the final day.

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I had goosebumps. It was a fantastic and unforgettable experience. I did what I could to help Isaac. It was an honor to ride for him for the last hour and a half. I did it with pleasure and now I realize how hard it is to work for someone else.

The penultimate stage saw Pogacar in a supportive role. He dedicated his efforts to helping his teammate, Isaac del Toro of Mexico, secure his podium position. Pogacar described the experience of working for another rider as "fantastic and unforgettable," acknowledging the difficulty but also the pleasure of assisting a teammate.

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I don't think he will be satisfied with equaling the record of me and other champions. He will probably break it soon.

This year's Tour de France also faced disruptions, with the traditional "friends' stage" shortened due to the engagement of emergency services in combating significant forest fires across France. Cyclists were transported by bus directly to Paris, bypassing the originally planned route from Thoiry.

Cycling icon Eddy Merckx believes Pogacar is on track to break his record and potentially achieve the unprecedented feat of winning all three Grand Tours in a single year. Pogacar has already won the Giro d'Italia this season and may target the Vuelta a España later this year, or focus on the World Championships in Montreal.

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Since he started his professional career, it was clear that he has exceptional talent. If anyone is capable of doing it, it is him.