Pogacar captures fourth career Tour de France title
Pogacar was spared any late challenge to his overall lead on his way to his title defence. Photo: Reuters
Tadej Pogacar has completed a supreme performance to win the Tour de France in a rainy Paris, crushing his rivals to collect a fourth title.
Wout van Aert triumphed in the final-day cliffhanger around Montmartre, but Pogacar was spared any late challenge to his overall lead when the weather forced organisers to neutralise times to avoid accidents on the slippery cobbled roads.
However, Pogacar more than played his part in a thrilling finale before Belgian rider Van Aert pulled away on the last climb.
"I was really happy they neutralised the times of the GC (general classification)," Pogacar said. "Then it was more relaxed to race and you just had to have good legs to be in front. I tried but hats off to Wout, he was incredibly strong. It was a really nice race."
The Slovenian has now won the Tour four times in six years and finished runner-up twice.
"It's six years in a row on the podium and this one feels especially amazing," he said.
Second-placed Jonas Vingegaard was unable to contend with Pogacar, but the winner paid tribute to the Dane.
"I spoke to Jonas today. We've been racing each other for five years now and we have raised each other to a higher level," he said.
Despite the rain, tens of thousands of spectators packed Montmartre to follow Pogacar's progress through the narrow streets of the popular tourist spot.
He played to the delighted crowds by racing to the head of the peloton near the Moulin Rouge cabaret at the foot of the climb before Van Aert produced a well-timed attack to drop Pogacar and charge to the finish line on the Champs-Elysees avenue.
Pogacar was fourth on the day but after wins in 2020, 2021 and 2024, he again proved untouchable in the world's greatest bike race.
Vingegaard, the champion in 2022 and 2023, suffered two shocking off-days and ended second overall, 4 minutes and 24 seconds adrift.
"I had some of my worst days here and some of the best," he said after the race, adding he would turn his attention to the Tour of Spain.
"I'll have a week off now, and then start training for the Vuelta," he added.
Breakout German star Florian Lipowitz, 24, took third on his debut, rounding out the podium a distant 11 minutes off the pace in third.
Defending his title, Pogacar embarked from the start in Lille as clear favourite and won four stages along the way.
In the first week, he struck on rolling runs in the north and west at Rouen and the Mur de Bretagne.
He then turned the screw on the slopes of the Pyrenees in week two with his rivals as good as vanquished.
Vingegaard suffered on the stage-five time trial, and again in the second week at the Hautacam mountain, leaving the Dane in shock as his form abandoned him.
In need of a massive turn around in the Alps, Pogacar adopted mature tactics and sat on his rival's wheel.
After it was all over, a beaming Pogacar said he could finally relax.
"Everybody has different ideas about how to celebrate. I want some peace and beautiful weather, enjoying some quiet days at home," he said. (AFP)
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