Pogacar's Five-Star Tour
Tadej Pogacar Joins Elite Club of Five-Time Tour de France Champions in Paris
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Tadej Pogacar is now a five-time Tour de France champion. The Slovenian star sealed his fifth title in Paris, joining an elite club of just four other riders in cycling history: Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin. Diario de Ibiza reports that Pogacar, at just 26 years old, shows no sign of stopping — and no interest in thinking about what comes next.
The final stage in Paris ended with a sprint victory for Mathieu van der Poel, giving the race a fitting celebration. But the day belonged to Pogacar. His UAE Team Emirates squad rode into the French capital having dominated the race from start to finish, cementing one of the most impressive Tour victories in modern cycling, according to Levante.
Pogacar Joins the Five-Time Winners Club
Only four men had ever won the Tour de France five times before Pogacar. Anquetil won five between 1957 and 1964. Merckx matched him between 1969 and 1974. Hinault took five from 1978 to 1985. Induráin won five in a row from 1991 to 1995. Now Pogacar sits alongside them, according to Diario de Mallorca.
What makes Pogacar's achievement stand out is his age. He is still only 26. Each of the other five-time champions was older when they reached that milestone. Pogacar has more than a decade of racing ahead of him. The record of seven Tour titles — held by Lance Armstrong, later stripped, and matched on paper by no one — could one day be in sight, La Opinión de Málaga noted.
A Team Built on Friendship, Not Just Results
Pogacar has spoken openly about how he builds his squad. He wants friends around him, not just workers. His UAE Team Emirates group is described as tight-knit and loyal, more like a group of friends on a shared adventure than a cold, tactical machine, according to Información.
That culture seems to work. The team controlled the race for three weeks. Rivals failed to find any real cracks. Pogacar said after arriving in Paris that he does not spend time thinking about records or future targets. He is focused on enjoying the sport with the people around him, El Periódico de Extremadura reported.
Van der Poel Wins the Final Stage on the Champs-Élysées
Mathieu van der Poel took the stage win on the iconic Champs-Élysées. The Dutch rider powered through the sprint to claim victory on one of cycling's most famous finishes. It was a popular win that added extra colour to the closing ceremony of this year's race, according to La Provincia.
The final stage in Paris is traditionally a showcase rather than a battle for the overall title. Pogacar rode comfortably in yellow, soaking in the applause of the crowd. The race ended as it had begun — with the Slovenian firmly in control and his rivals unable to challenge him, LNE reported.
What Comes Next for the World's Best Cyclist?
Pogacar has refused to set public targets for the future. He does not talk about chasing the all-time record. He says he wants to keep racing with joy and without pressure. That mindset, sources say, is part of why he keeps winning, according to Diario Córdoba.
Rivals like Jonas Vingegaard, who beat Pogacar in 2022 and 2023, will look to come back next year. But after this Tour, it is hard to see who can stop him. Pogacar is now the clear benchmark in world cycling — younger than all his five-title predecessors were when they reached this milestone, El Periódico de Aragón noted.
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