
UAE Team Emirates-XRG: Pogačar clinches fourth Tour de France title
The Slovenian rider secured the overall win with a total time of 76:00:32, finishing 4 minutes 24 seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike) and 11 minutes ahead of Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe).
From stages 1 through 20, Pogačar didn't lose a single second to any of the other top five riders in the general classification — a feat matched only once before, by Maurice Garin in 1903. He won four stages and also claimed the King of the Mountains classification for the third time in his career.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG took five stage wins overall, with Tim Wellens adding a solo victory on Stage 15. The team supported Pogačar from the opening stage in Lille through the Alps and Pyrenees to Paris, despite losing a rider before the first rest day.
Jonas Vingegaard, winner in 2022 and 2023, mounted a serious challenge, especially with an all-in attack on Stage 18, but couldn't close the gap. He finished second overall. Lipowitz completed the podium in third.
This is Pogačar's fourth Tour win, putting him alongside Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin, all of whom have five. At 26, Pogačar is on track to challenge that record.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Dubai Eye
3 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
Red Bull adviser confirms Max Verstappen staying for 2026
Red Bull Racing will have Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen for at least another season. Team adviser Helmut Marko said Monday that the four-time defending F1 champion would return to the team in 2026 despite reported interest from Mercedes. A widely reported exit clause in Verstappen's Red Bull contract would have allowed him to leave the team at year's end if he were fourth or lower in the championship standings as of the Hungarian Grand Prix, which takes place this Sunday. Following the Belgian Grand Prix last Sunday, Verstappen sits in third place in the F1 standings and far enough ahead of fourth-place George Russell (28 points) that he cannot be caught in Hungary. The understanding of Verstappen's situation was confirmed when Marko spoke to German outlet "Yes, I can confirm that Max Verstappen will drive for Red Bull in 2026," Marko said. Mercedes' cars are currently occupied by Russell and potential rising star Kimi Antonelli, but Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has not denied looking into pursuing Verstappen, the winningest F1 driver since his first championship in 2021. Earlier this month, Red Bull abruptly dismissed team principal Christian Horner and replaced him with Laurent Mekies. Verstappen's agent told a Dutch outlet at the time that Verstappen remained committed to the team despite the change.


Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
L'Étape Dubai by Tour de France to return to the Middle East in 2026
The event held in partnership with Škoda and supported by Dubai Sports Council expects 2,000 riders World famous amateur cycling event held in the spirit of the iconic Tour de France Pre-registration officially opens from July 27, 2025, with a 15% discount on entry Video: Photo: Dubai, UAE – Following its successful debut in February this year, L'Étape Dubai by Tour de France will return for its second edition on Sunday 25 January 2026. Organised with the support of official partner Škoda and government partner Dubai Sports Council, the world-class cycling event is set to attract even more participants, while offering an expanded weekend program of activities for all of the family. The inaugural edition of L'Étape Dubai welcomed over 1,000 participants, including 243 international riders and 266 Emiratis, making it the largest first-edition amateur cycling event of its kind in the UAE. The race featured 101 km and 50 km competitive courses, a 20 km family-friendly ride and kids' races, passing key landmarks across the city. Reinforcing its status as the premier platform for amateur cyclists to experience the spirit of the Tour de France in the Middle East, the 2026 edition of L'Étape Dubai aims to build on this momentum by increasing participation to a total 2,000 cyclists across the various categories. Pre-registration opens on 27 July 2025, offering a 15% early-bird discount ahead of the official registration launch in September. In addition to the main race, the 2026 weekend program will expand its community and family engagement elements. The Saturday (24 January) will once again host the popular, non-competitive Family Ride and Kids' Races, with new initiatives and family-oriented activities led by Škoda, welcoming even greater participation of families and first-time riders. The weekend will also feature an enhanced fan village and broader race village activations, with community cycling activities being planned after the summer in the lead-up to the race. The 2026 edition of L'Étape Dubai is also set to welcome legendary former Tour de France riders to the UAE, building on the participation of three former Tour de France riders in 2025. Essa Sharif, Director of the Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council, said: "We are delighted to welcome this truly world-famous race back to Dubai, following the huge success of the inaugural edition held in 2024, that witnessed the participation of more than 1,000 amateur cyclists of various nationalities from within and outside the country. 'I am confident that the next edition will be even more successful, thanks to the heightened stature of cycling in Dubai and the availability of tracks extending hundreds of kilometers across the city. This is in addition to the increasing number of people practicing this wonderful sport, and the extensive experience of the Dubai Sports Council and the organising committee in hosting cycling races.' He further added: "The race will be held in January, at a time when we enjoy wonderful weather, and I feel this will be the perfect opening to a busy season of international cycling races in Dubai. The race routes will be carefully selected to allow thousands of participants to enjoy cycling in the most beautiful areas and destinations in Dubai, which boasts a variety of unique cultural, tourist and residential landmarks. Participating in this race will be an unforgettable experience that will remain in the participants' memories and in their records of achievements.' Antoine Quiers of A.S.O, organisers of the Tour de France, said: 'After this successful first year, we are very proud to announce that L'Étape Dubai by Tour de France will come back to the UAE for a second edition. At A.S.O. we are already looking forward to the next edition. Thanks to the priceless support of the key stakeholders, including Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Police, Škoda Middle East, and all the event sponsors we are certain that L'Étape Dubai will be even more successful in 2026. Together, we will once again bring the magic of the Tour de France to Dubai!' Fairouz Al Qazi, race director of L'Étape Dubai by Tour de France powered by Škoda, commented: "The first year of the event confirmed that road cycling is booming in Dubai and throughout the Emirates and I am extremely happy and proud that today we can announce the date for 2026 as well as the launch of the pre-registration period for the second edition. We would like to thank Škoda Middle East, Dubai Sport Council and Dubai Police, as well as our other partners for their support and we look forward to another cycling adventure. Let the journey begin again!' Lukas Honzak, Managing Director of Škoda Middle East, added: 'As a long-standing global partner of the Tour de France, we are proud to bring its spirit to UAE with L'Etape Dubai and support the country's growing passion for cycling. The event has proven in its inaugural year that it perfectly reflects Škoda values — promoting active lifestyles, smarter mobility, focusing on supporting community & families in the UAE. After witnessing the great success of L'Étape Dubai by Tour de France earlier this year, we are thrilled to continue our support as the event's official partner. We invite all cyclists of all ages and skill levels from the UAE to join the movement and start their cycling journeys with Škoda by their side and enjoy a range of pre-race and race activities for cycling fans of all ages and levels. With even more riders expected next year, we look forward to making the L'Etape Dubai 2026 edition even more memorable, together'. Participants can pre-register for L'Étape Dubai by Tour de France 2026 at the following link to secure their 15% discount: About L'Étape Dubai by Tour de France: L'Étape by Tour de France is the world's largest amateur cycling series, designed to deliver the authentic experience of the Tour de France to amateur riders around the world. The Dubai edition is held under closed-road conditions and in 2025 featured two formats: The Race (101 km) and The Ride (50 km), offering cyclists of all levels the opportunity to compete in a professionally managed and internationally recognised event. To pre-register or learn more, visit: Follow us on Instagram: @letapedubai Media Contact: Adel Al-Sharie Account Manager Adel@


ARN News Center
6 hours ago
- ARN News Center
Red Bull adviser confirms Max Verstappen staying for 2026
Red Bull Racing will have Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen for at least another season. Team adviser Helmut Marko said Monday that the four-time defending F1 champion would return to the team in 2026 despite reported interest from Mercedes. A widely reported exit clause in Verstappen's Red Bull contract would have allowed him to leave the team at year's end if he were fourth or lower in the championship standings as of the Hungarian Grand Prix, which takes place this Sunday. Following the Belgian Grand Prix last Sunday, Verstappen sits in third place in the F1 standings and far enough ahead of fourth-place George Russell (28 points) that he cannot be caught in Hungary. The understanding of Verstappen's situation was confirmed when Marko spoke to German outlet "Yes, I can confirm that Max Verstappen will drive for Red Bull in 2026," Marko said. Mercedes' cars are currently occupied by Russell and potential rising star Kimi Antonelli, but Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has not denied looking into pursuing Verstappen, the winningest F1 driver since his first championship in 2021. Earlier this month, Red Bull abruptly dismissed team principal Christian Horner and replaced him with Laurent Mekies. Verstappen's agent told a Dutch outlet at the time that Verstappen remained committed to the team despite the change.