One of the hardest Tours, Pogacar says, as he moves to brink of fourth win
The defending champion leads Jonas Vingegaard by 4:24 in the general classification heading into Stage 21, which will feature a spectacular finale with three climbs of the Butte Montmartre in the French capital — a twist on the traditional Champs-Elysees parade.
"Every year we say it's the hardest Tour ever, but I know that this year's Tour was something on another level,' Pogacar told reporters after finishing Saturday's 20th stage in the main bunch.
"Maybe one day we went a bit easier, but if you look at the power files throughout the whole Tour, it's been really amazing and tough. Even today we almost went all out from start to finish.'
The 26-year-old, who previously won the race in 2020, 2021 and last year, said the grueling route had tested the peloton to its limits.
"I must say that even though it was the hardest, one of the hardest Tours I ever did, I enjoyed it and had good shape and good legs. Really looking forward to the last day tomorrow,' Pogacar, who has won 10 stages in the last two Tours, added.
After crossing the line on the penultimate stage, Pogacar, who on Friday said he was counting down the kilometers to Paris, hinted at a quick return to his bike despite three punishing weeks on the road.
"Monday, I travel home, Tuesday maybe I go on the bike. You never know — if I feel good, I do a bit of riding, stop for coffee and enjoy summer at home," he said with a smile.
Asked about a possible appearance at the Vuelta a Espana later this year, Pogacar remained non-committal.
"We will decide a couple of days after the Tour, after everything is calm. Then we can make decisions for the next races," he said.
"I think it's going to be tough to decide. Of course, I would like to go to the Vuelta. Every year I do the Tour and I would like to do the Vuelta one day also, yeah, we will see."
World champion Pogacar has won the Tour three times, achieved a rare Giro-Tour double last year, and has already claimed victory in three of the five Monuments — the most prestigious one-day races — prompting comparisons with Belgian all-time great Eddy Merckx.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Japan Today
an hour ago
- Japan Today
Pogačar wins Tour de France for fourth time
Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar, the Tour de France winner, smiles after finishing, the twenty-first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 132.3 kilometers (82.1 miles) with start in Mantes-la-Ville and finish on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, France, Sunday, July 27, 2025. (Yoan Valat, Pool Photo via AP) cycling By JEROME PUGMIRE Tadej Pogačar won his fourth Tour de France title by a comfortable margin after Sunday's final stage, which he tried to win even though he did not need to. The 26-year-old Slovenian rider won the Tour last year and in 2020 and 2021. Two-time Tour champion Jonas Vinegaard finished the overall race 4 minutes, 24 seconds behind Pogačar in second place and Florian Lipowitz was 11 minutes adrift in third. Belgian rider Wout van Aert won the 21st and last stage, which broke with tradition and featured three climbs of Montmartre hill. Because of the risk of heavy rain and crashes, organizers had earlier decided to neutralize the times 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the end, effectively giving Pogačar the victory — but providing he crossed the finish line. Pogačar had no need to contest the stage win, especially given the danger of crashing on slick roads. Yet as the rain fell heavily, he showed his relentless thirst for victory and attacked anyway, setting a tremendous pace in the Montmartre climbs as fans cheered all along the cobbled Rue Lepic, with flags and fans hanging out of windows. Only five riders were left with Pogačar on the third ascension of the 1.1-kilometer Montmartre hill. After fending off American Matteo Jorgenson, he was caught cold near the top as Van Aert launched a stunning attack to drop — yes, drop! — Pogačar, the world's best climber, on the steepest section. Van Aert rolled back down for a prestigious stage win on the famed Champs-Élysées. Pogačar looked weary as he crossed the line in fourth place, 19 seconds behind. But then it was time to celebrate title No. 4. Only four riders have won the showcase race five times: Belgian Eddy Merckx, Spaniard Miguel Induráin and Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault. Pogačar won four stages this year to take his Tour tally to 21 and 30 at major races, including six at the Giro d'Italia and three at the Spanish Vuelta. Lipowitz secured his first career podium at a Grand Tour, the alternative name given to the three major races. His performance, following his third-placed finish last month at the Critérium du Dauphiné, suggests the 24-year-old German rider could challenge in the near future. Traditionally, the last stage is largely processional with riders doing laps around Paris. The Tour broke with tradition after the success of the Paris Olympics road race, which also took in Montmartre, famous for its Sacre Coeur basilica. It was the fifth straight year where Pogačar and Vingegaard finished 1-2 at the Tour. Vingegaard was second in 2021, before beating Pogačar the next two years with the Slovenian second. When Pogačar reclaimed his title last year, Vingegaard was runner-up. Pogačar has also won the Giro d'Italia, doing so last year to become the first cyclist to secure the Giro and Tour double in the same season since the late Marco Pantani in 1998. But Pogačar has not yet won the Spanish Vuelta, whereas Anquetil, Hinault and Merckx won all three major races. When Pogačar won the hilly fourth stage of this year's race, it was the 100th professional victory of his stellar career, all events combined. Pogačar is also the world road race champion. He warmed up for this year's Tour with a dominant victory at the Critérium continuing his excellent form the spring classics, where he won Liège–Bastogne–Liège for third time. After winning stage 4 of the Tour, Pogačar added three more stage wins, including an emphatic uphill time trial. He would love to win the Paris-Roubaix classic and Milan San-Remo. The 259.2-kilometer (161-mile) Roubaix race is called 'The Hell of the North' because of its dangerous cobblestone sections. Pogačar debut appearance at the one-day classic this year saw him seeking to become the first Tour champion to win it since Hinault in 1981. But powerful Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel won it for the third straight year. Pogačar has also yet to win Milan-San Remo, with Van der Poel also beat him there this year. Expect a fired-up Pogačar next year at Roubaix and Milan-San Remo. But it's unsure whether he'll tackle the Vuelta. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
NHK
11 hours ago
- NHK
Kotoshoho wins first sumo title
Rank-and-file wrestler Kotoshoho won his first-ever title on Sunday at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with 13 wins and two losses. Kotoshoho was in the lead on Saturday, the 14th day of the 15-day tournament. Aonishiki and Kusano followed, each with three losses. All three wrestlers are from the Hiramaku group, the lowest of the five ranks in the top Makunouchi division. On the final day, Kotoshoho faced off with Aonishiki. Kotoshoho thrust down his opponent to become the first Hiramaku wrestler to clinch a championship since last year's spring tournament. Kotoshoho beat newly promoted Yokozuna Grand Champion Onosato on the 13th day, his first victory against a top-ranked wrestler. He maintained momentum after that, extending his winning streak to 10 days through the end of the tournament. Yokozuna and other higher-ranking Ozeki wrestlers all dropped out of the title race after either pulling out of the tournament or performing poorly.
Japan Times
21 hours ago
- Japan Times
One of the hardest Tours, Pogacar says, as he moves to brink of fourth win
Tadej Pogacar all but sealed his fourth Tour de France title on Saturday after surviving what he claims is one of the most brutal Tours he has ridden, leaving only Sunday's ride into Paris between him and another triumph in the world's greatest bicycle race. The defending champion leads Jonas Vingegaard by 4:24 in the general classification heading into Stage 21, which will feature a spectacular finale with three climbs of the Butte Montmartre in the French capital — a twist on the traditional Champs-Elysees parade. "Every year we say it's the hardest Tour ever, but I know that this year's Tour was something on another level,' Pogacar told reporters after finishing Saturday's 20th stage in the main bunch. "Maybe one day we went a bit easier, but if you look at the power files throughout the whole Tour, it's been really amazing and tough. Even today we almost went all out from start to finish.' The 26-year-old, who previously won the race in 2020, 2021 and last year, said the grueling route had tested the peloton to its limits. "I must say that even though it was the hardest, one of the hardest Tours I ever did, I enjoyed it and had good shape and good legs. Really looking forward to the last day tomorrow,' Pogacar, who has won 10 stages in the last two Tours, added. After crossing the line on the penultimate stage, Pogacar, who on Friday said he was counting down the kilometers to Paris, hinted at a quick return to his bike despite three punishing weeks on the road. "Monday, I travel home, Tuesday maybe I go on the bike. You never know — if I feel good, I do a bit of riding, stop for coffee and enjoy summer at home," he said with a smile. Asked about a possible appearance at the Vuelta a Espana later this year, Pogacar remained non-committal. "We will decide a couple of days after the Tour, after everything is calm. Then we can make decisions for the next races," he said. "I think it's going to be tough to decide. Of course, I would like to go to the Vuelta. Every year I do the Tour and I would like to do the Vuelta one day also, yeah, we will see." World champion Pogacar has won the Tour three times, achieved a rare Giro-Tour double last year, and has already claimed victory in three of the five Monuments — the most prestigious one-day races — prompting comparisons with Belgian all-time great Eddy Merckx.
