Supreme Pogacar Wins Tour De France For Fourth Time
Wout van Aert won the final-day cliffhanger on the cobbled roads of Montmartre, but Pogacar was spared any late challenge when rain forced times to be neutralised to avoid potential accidents.
Pogacar gamely tried for the stage win anyway before Belgian Van Aert pulled away from the Slovenian on the last climb.
The winner was clearly enjoying himself as he played to the delighted crowds, racing to the head of the peloton near the Moulin Rouge cabaret at the foot of the climb.
Despite the rain, spectators packed Montmartre to follow his progress up and down the narrow lanes of the popular tourist spot in his leader's yellow outfit.
Van Aert produced a well-timed attack to drop Pogacar and charge to the Champs-Elysees finish line, for his second last-day stage win there.
Pogacar was fourth on the day but after wins in 2020, 2021 and 2024, he proved untouchable again in the world's greatest bike race.
Jonas Vingegaard, the Dane who won in 2022 and 2023, suffered two shocking off-days and ended second overall, 4min 24sec adrift.
Breakout German star Florian Lipowitz 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 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 on week two with his rivals as good as vanquished.
Vingegaard suffered on the stage five time trial, and again in week two at the Hautacam mountain, leaving the Dane in shock as his form abandoned him.
In need of a massive turn around in the Alps to overturn a four-minute deficit, Vingegaard was game enough to go all in on stage 18, producing a brave 71km attack as Pogacar sat on his rival's wheel.
A barnstorming first week of the Tour revealed a raft of emerging stars.
Lipowitz was given a run for his money for third place by 22-year-old Scot Oscar Onley, whose steady ride propelled him to fourth overall.
Ireland's Ben Healy bagged a stage win and a two-day stint in the yellow jersey.
Adding a heroic near-miss on Mont Ventoux was enough to earn Healy the prize for combativity, voted for by the public.
The return of Dave Brailsford from his role at Manchester United to Ineos Grenadiers was overshadowed by the team's Italian powerhouse Filippo Ganna falling early on stage one. He was withdrawn due to concussion.
Having previously masterminded seven Tour de France wins, Brailsford dug in and the team's Dutch climber Thymen Arensman pulled off heists in the Pyrenees and the Alps with well-executed attacks to win two stages.
Another Dutch rider, Mathieu van der Poel, lit up the first week, sealing a stage two win and twice wearing the yellow jersey.
France's sole and unexpected stage win came on the lunar-like summit of Mont Ventoux thanks to Valentin Paret-Peintre.
The 2025 Tour, however, will be remembered mainly for Pogacar's all-round dominance.
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Int'l Business Times
9 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
Imperious Pogacar Wins Tour De France For Fourth Time
Tadej Pogacar completed a supreme performance to win the Tour de France in a rainy Paris on Sunday, 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, 4min 24sec 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 said. 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. A barnstorming first week of the Tour revealed a raft of emerging stars. Lipowitz was given a run for his money for third place by 22-year-old Scot Oscar Onley, whose steady ride propelled him to fourth overall. The pair came first and second a minute adrift in the white jersey battle for the best under-26 rider, raising hopes of a new Tour rivalry in the making. Ireland's Ben Healy bagged a stage win and a two-day stint in the yellow jersey. Adding a heroic near-miss on Mont Ventoux was enough to earn Healy the prize for combativity, voted for by the public. The return of one-time guru Dave Brailsford from his role at Manchester United to Ineos Grenadiers was overshadowed by the team's Italian powerhouse Filippo Ganna falling early on stage one. He was withdrawn due to concussion. Having previously masterminded seven overall Tour de France wins, Brailsford dug in and the team's Dutch climber Thymen Arensman pulled off heists in the Pyrenees and the Alps to win two stages. France's sole and unexpected stage win came on the lunar-like summit of Mont Ventoux when Valentin Paret-Peintre won an enthralling war of attrition with Healy. The 2025 Tour though will be remembered for Pogacar's all-round dominance. Tadej Pogacar won the Tour de France for the fourth time in six years AFP Runner-up Jonas Vingegaard (L) congratulates Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar AFP Tadej Pogacar pedals past the Sacre-Coeur basilica in Montmartre AFP
DW
10 hours ago
- DW
Tour de France: Pogacar triumphs after Montmartre sprint – DW – 07/27/2025
Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar led the peloton on a novel route up Montmartre and past the Sacré-Cœur en route to winning the Tour de France for the fourth time. Tadej Pogacar entered serenely into Paris on Sunday to wrap up his fourth Tour de France title, while Wout van Aert celebrated a famous final stage win as three circuits of the hill of were added to the traditional finish on the for the first time. Slovenian star Pogacar entered this year's Tour as clear favorite and lived up to expectations from start to finish, ultimately finishing with a comfortable lead of four minutes and 24 seconds over Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard. Germany's Florian Lipowitz finished third, some 11 minutes behind Pogacar, riding for team Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and marking a successful Tour entry for the Austrian energy drink brand. "I think the second week [of the Tour] was the decisive moment," Pogacar said. "We took more advantage and went more comfortably into the third week." While Pogacar's lead was never in danger on the final stage – the wearer of the , or yellow jersey, traditionally entering the capital with a flute of champagne – the addition of to the end of the stage was a novelty for the sprinters. Tour director Christian Prudhomme made no secret of the fact that he had been "jealous" of the spectacle of riders racing around the steep, cobbled streets of Montmartre during the 2024 Paris Olympics, and of his desire to replicate the scenes at the climax of the Tour de France. But the decision wasn't universally well received in the peloton. "I don't think it's a good idea," said Vingegaard. "seemed very beautiful at the Olympics, with a great atmosphere. But when the riders arrived there, there were 50 in the peloton. Now there will be 150 of us fighting for position on a very narrow climb. It's going to add more stress than we'd like." Former German sprinter Marcel Kittel also lamented the move away from the traditional climax, saying: "It hurts my heart as a sprinter." But Pogacar wasn't complaining. "Everyone celebrates in their own way, I just want peace and some nice weather, not like here today," he said, drenched in Parisian rain. "Now I just to enjoy some quiet days at home."
Int'l Business Times
11 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
Supreme Pogacar Wins Tour De France For Fourth Time
Tadej Pogacar closed out a supreme 21-day performance to win the Tour de France in Paris on Sunday, crushing his rivals in the 3,400km slog to rack up a fourth title. Wout van Aert won the final-day cliffhanger on the cobbled roads of Montmartre, but Pogacar was spared any late challenge when rain forced times to be neutralised to avoid potential accidents. Pogacar gamely tried for the stage win anyway before Belgian Van Aert pulled away from the Slovenian on the last climb. The winner was clearly enjoying himself as he played to the delighted crowds, racing to the head of the peloton near the Moulin Rouge cabaret at the foot of the climb. Despite the rain, spectators packed Montmartre to follow his progress up and down the narrow lanes of the popular tourist spot in his leader's yellow outfit. Van Aert produced a well-timed attack to drop Pogacar and charge to the Champs-Elysees finish line, for his second last-day stage win there. Pogacar was fourth on the day but after wins in 2020, 2021 and 2024, he proved untouchable again in the world's greatest bike race. Jonas Vingegaard, the Dane who won in 2022 and 2023, suffered two shocking off-days and ended second overall, 4min 24sec adrift. Breakout German star Florian Lipowitz 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 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 on week two with his rivals as good as vanquished. Vingegaard suffered on the stage five time trial, and again in week two at the Hautacam mountain, leaving the Dane in shock as his form abandoned him. In need of a massive turn around in the Alps to overturn a four-minute deficit, Vingegaard was game enough to go all in on stage 18, producing a brave 71km attack as Pogacar sat on his rival's wheel. A barnstorming first week of the Tour revealed a raft of emerging stars. Lipowitz was given a run for his money for third place by 22-year-old Scot Oscar Onley, whose steady ride propelled him to fourth overall. Ireland's Ben Healy bagged a stage win and a two-day stint in the yellow jersey. Adding a heroic near-miss on Mont Ventoux was enough to earn Healy the prize for combativity, voted for by the public. The return of Dave Brailsford from his role at Manchester United to Ineos Grenadiers was overshadowed by the team's Italian powerhouse Filippo Ganna falling early on stage one. He was withdrawn due to concussion. Having previously masterminded seven Tour de France wins, Brailsford dug in and the team's Dutch climber Thymen Arensman pulled off heists in the Pyrenees and the Alps with well-executed attacks to win two stages. Another Dutch rider, Mathieu van der Poel, lit up the first week, sealing a stage two win and twice wearing the yellow jersey. France's sole and unexpected stage win came on the lunar-like summit of Mont Ventoux thanks to Valentin Paret-Peintre. The 2025 Tour, however, will be remembered mainly for Pogacar's all-round dominance.
