Latest news with #Merckx
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Predator and puppeteer: Pogacar turns the Tour into his stage
At just 26, Tadej Pogacar has turned the Tour de France into his kingdom, claiming his fourth title on Sunday and cementing a reign that recalls the hunger of Eddy Merckx and the iron grip of Lance Armstrong – yet feels entirely his own. This victory was more than just a triumph -— it was a showcase of transformation. Pogacar started the race as a lively, daring rider, delighting fans with audacious attacks and celebrating stage wins with unrestrained exuberance. Yet as the gruelling three-week event wore on, the Slovenian's demeanour shifted. The joy gave way to cold, calculating focus, showcasing his ability to transition from a crowd-pleaser to a commanding leader. Only in the final stage did Pogacar spring back to life in a ride resembling a one-day classic, during which he fought an epic duel with Belgian Wout van Aert. While he did not win, the joy of racing was briefly back as the world champion found a challenge at his measure. Through the first two weeks, Pogacar appeared unstoppable, claiming four stage wins, putting the hammer down on the climb to Hautacam and adding a dominant performance in the uphill time trial on Stage 13. That victory stretched his lead over Jonas Vingegaard to more than four minutes, reinforcing his position as the man to beat. His early attacks were bold, his energy seemingly endless. Fans witnessed the Pogacar they adored — smiling at the summit, waving to children on the roadside, and revelling in the pure joy of racing. However, the Alpine stages brought a noticeable change. Pogacar's appetite for stage victories diminished, replaced by a deliberate focus on controlling the race. On the climb to La Plagne, Pogacar allowed Thymen Arensman to claim the stage win, focusing instead on neutralizing Vingegaard's chances of winning the stage. That level of authority brought echoes of Armstrong's dominance in the early 2000s, although the context was vastly different. The psychological command over the race, however, felt familiar. Rivals stopped plotting to beat Pogacar, they plotted to survive. "It was one of the hardest, if not the hardest, Tours I've been in," Pogacar told reporters, emphasising the physical and mental challenges of defending his lead over three weeks. The Slovenian's calm demeanour occasionally cracked under pressure. After enduring repeated accelerations from rivals during a mountain stage, he described their tactics as 'a bit annoying.' While Pogacar never appeared physically vulnerable, his transition from carefree to businesslike reflected the immense weight of leadership. Even when Matteo Jorgenson launched an attack, Pogacar personally shut it down despite the American posing no threat to his overall lead - a testament to his meticulous control. Comparisions to Merckx Every milestone Pogacar achieves revives comparisons with Merckx, cycling's "Cannibal," who devoured everything in his path. The Belgian claimed five Tours, Giro-Tour doubles, and Monument wins during his remarkable career. With four Tour titles, one Giro win, multiple Monuments, and a world championship to his name, Pogacar is the closest to Merckx's level seen in decades. Bernard Hinault, one of four riders with five Tour wins, remarked that Pogacar is 'like me and Merckx,' while Merckx himself admitted that Pogacar's world title ride surpassed his own on that day. The defining question now is whether Pogacar can match Merckx's record of five Tour victories. His 2024 season - winning the Giro, Tour, and World Championships - echoes Merckx's mythical 1974 campaign. The way Pogacar is able to control a race feels organic, driven by raw talent, versatility, and a calm confidence that suggests inevitability rather than fear. Yet the final week of the Tour revealed another layer to Pogacar's character: the strain of expectation. Though his joy faded as the race progressed, replaced by steely determination, it is this duality - exuberance and strain, predator and puppet master - that makes Pogacar a compelling figure in modern cycling. With four Tour wins at 26, Pogacar stands tantalisingly close to the immortal mark of five titles, cementing his place among cycling's greats. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Cycling-List of Tour de France champions
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 11 - Toulouse to Toulouse - Toulouse, France - July 16, 2025 Israel - Premier Tech's Joseph Blackmore goes by the Tour de France logo before stage 11 REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo PARIS - List of Tour de France champions since the event was first staged in 1903 (no races during the world wars): 2025 Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) 2024 Pogacar 2023 Jonas Vingegaard (Denmark) 2022 Vingegaard 2021 Pogacar 2020 Pogacar Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Sewage shaft failure linked to sinkhole; PUB calling safety time-out on similar works islandwide Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Asia Singapore-only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt World Food airdropped into Gaza as Israel opens aid routes Sport Arsenal beat Newcastle in five-goal thriller to bring Singapore Festival of Football to a close Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 2019 Egan Bernal (Colombia) 2018 Geraint Thomas (Britain) 2017 Chris Froome (Britain) 2016 Froome 2015 Froome 2014 Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) 2013 Froome 2012 Bradley Wiggins (Britain) 2011 Cadel Evans (Australia) 2010 Andy Schleck (Luxembourg) *** 2009 Alberto Contador (Spain) 2008 Carlos Sastre (Spain) 2007 Contador 2006 Oscar Pereiro (Spain) ** 1999 - 2005 1998 Marco Pantani (Italy) 1997 Jan Ullrich (Germany) 1996 Bjarne Riis (Denmark) 1995 Miguel Indurain (Spain) 1994 Indurain 1993 Indurain 1992 Indurain 1991 Indurain 1990 Greg LeMond (U.S.) 1989 LeMond 1988 Pedro Delgado (Spain) 1987 Stephen Roche (Ireland) 1986 LeMond 1985 Bernard Hinault (France) 1984 Laurent Fignon (France) 1983 Fignon 1982 Hinault 1981 Hinault 1980 Joop Zoetemelk (Netherlands) 1979 Hinault 1978 Hinault 1977 Bernard Thevenet (France) 1976 Lucien Van Impe (Belgium) 1975 Thevenet 1974 Eddy Merckx (Belgium) 1973 Luis Ocana (Spain) 1972 Merckx 1971 Merckx 1970 Merckx 1969 Merckx 1968 Jan Janssen (Netherlands) 1967 Roger Pingeon (France) 1966 Lucien Aimar (France) 1965 Felice Gimondi (Italy) 1964 Jacques Anquetil (France) 1963 Anquetil 1962 Anquetil 1961 Anquetil 1960 Gastone Nencini (Italy) 1959 Federico Bahamontes (Spain) 1958 Charly Gaul (Luxembourg) 1957 Anquetil 1956 Roger Walkowiak (France) 1955 Louison Bobet (France) 1954 Bobet 1953 Bobet 1952 Fausto Coppi (Italy) 1951 Hugo Koblet (Switzerland) 1950 Ferdi Kubler (Switzerland) 1949 Coppi 1948 Gino Bartali (Italy) 1947 Jean Robic (France) 1939 Sylvere Maes (Belgium) 1938 Bartali 1937 Roger Lapebie (France) 1936 Sylvere Maes (Belgium) 1935 Romain Maes (Belgium) 1934 Antonin Magne (France) 1933 Georges Speicher (France) 1932 Andre Leducq (France) 1931 Magne 1930 Leducq 1929 Maurice De Waele (Belgium) 1928 Nicolas Frantz (Luxembourg) 1927 Frantz 1926 Lucien Buysse (Belgium) 1925 Ottavio Bottecchia (Italy) 1924 Bottecchia 1923 Henri Pelissier (France) 1922 Firmin Lambot (Belgium) 1921 Leon Scieur (Belgium) 1920 Philippe Thys (Belgium) 1919 Lambot 1914 Thys 1913 Thys 1912 Odile Defraye (Belgium) 1911 Gustave Garrigou (France) 1910 Octave Lapize (France) 1909 Francois Faber (Luxembourg) 1908 Lucien Petit-Breton (France) 1907 Petit-Breton 1906 Rene Pottier (France) 1905 Louis Trousselier (France) 1904 Henri Cornet (France) 1903 Maurice Garin (France) *** Spain's Alberto Contador was stripped of the title after testing positive for a banned anabolic agent during the 2010 race. ** American Floyd Landis was stripped of the title after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone during the 2006 race. * American Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven titles from 1999-2005 for doping. The titles have not been reallocated. REUTERS
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Arensman wins Tour de France stage 19
Dutch rider Thymen Arensman picked up a second stage win at the Tour de France on Friday winning stage 19 at La Plagne ski resort two seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar. Barring disaster Team UAE rider Pogacar should claim his fourth Tour de France title aged just 26 years in Paris on Sunday as he exits the Alps with a lead of over four minutes on second placed Vingegaard with two stages remaining. According to The Guardian live coverage of the Tour de France Arensman was quoted, "I'm absolutely destroyed. I can't believe it. To win one stage, from a break. Now against the GC group, the strongest riders in the world, it feels like I'm dreaming. "After the descent to La Plagne, we were talking in the radio I said to the DS in the radio, today is the last mountain stage, I have no GC to ride for, I will try to hang on for a few kilometres in the climb and see how the legs feel. "I started the climb, I thought, I have no GC: maybe they will look at each other? "Everyone knows Tadej and Jonas are the strongest in the world, almost aliens ..." Legendary cyclist Merckx discharged from hospital Legendary Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx was discharged from hospital on Friday following complications after a hip fracture, his wife Claudine told Belgian daily newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. Merckx was hospitalised on July 13 due to repeated complications related to the fitting of a hip prosthesis following a cycling accident last December. The five-time Tour de France winner also developed a skin infection that required heavy antibiotic treatment, he told AFP in June during a reception to mark his 80th birthday. Merckx will have to return to the hospital within a month to have a new, permanent prosthesis fitted. In the meantime, he will be housebound. "For now, Eddy is just happy to be able to go home. He feels most comfortable in his familiar surroundings," said his wife. The 19th stage modified over infected cattle The 19th stage of the Tour de France has been shortened due to the discovery of a contagious disease in a herd of cattle located along the original route between Albertville and La Plagne, race organisers said Thursday. "The discovery of an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis affecting cattle in a herd located specifically in the Col des Saisies has necessitated the culling of the animals," said organisers in a statement about Friday's stage. "In light of the distress experienced by the affected farmers and in order to preserve the smooth running of the race, it has been decided, in agreement with the relevant authorities, to modify the route of Stage 19 (Albertville-La Plagne) and to avoid the ascent to the Col des Saisies." This considerably changes the profile of the stage, which will now be just 95km long instead of the planned 129.9km. The ceremonial start will be given as planned on the outskirts of Albertville but will now take place at 1230 GMT — an hour later than originally scheduled. After a 7km parade the official start will then be given. The Col des Saisies will notably be bypassed with the race rejoining the original route just after the initially scheduled 50km mark. Three climbs remain on the programme with the hors categorie Col du Pre, the Cormet de Roselend and the final ascent to La Plagne for a finish at an altitude of 2,052m.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Eddy Merckx hospitalised for hip surgery after cycling complications
BRUSSELS: Belgian cycling icon Eddy Merckx has been admitted to hospital for a follow-up hip operation after complications arose from a previous surgery. The 80-year-old, widely regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time, fractured his hip in a biking accident last December. Initially, a titanium prosthesis was implanted, but it was later replaced with a cemented version. However, new issues emerged, necessitating further medical intervention. Merckx is expected to remain hospitalised for approximately two weeks. The five-time Tour de France champion has faced multiple health setbacks in recent years. In 2019, a severe fall left him hospitalised for several days. Despite these challenges, his legacy in cycling remains unmatched, with victories in the Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a España, and numerous one-day classics. - AFP
NBC Sports
03-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard are set to ignite the Tour de France
PARIS — At just 26 years old, Tadej Pogačar is among cycling's greats and also admired as a spectacular rider. The world champion wins on all terrains, and is favorite to win a fourth Tour de France title. Pogačar lines up in the northern city of Lille with his confidence sky-high, boosted by a stellar first half of the season punctuated with prestigious wins in both one-day and stage races. This year, the Slovenian rider won a third Liège–Bastogne–Liège title and other one day-classics. Most recently, he won the Critérium du Dauphiné, a Tour tune-up, with a dominant display in the mountains. 'I'm lucky to have had close to the perfect preparation this year,' the UAE Team Emirates leader said. 'Everything has gone really smoothly, especially coming off a great altitude camp with my teammates.' Pogačar posted back-to-back wins in 2020 and 2021, becoming the youngest double winner of the three-week showcase race. He was also runner-up in 2022 and 2023. 'It's hard to believe it's already my sixth Tour de France,' he said. 'Time flies.' So does Pogačar. His appetite for victory is insatiable and he has clearly established himself as the No. 1 rider in the world, drawing comparisons with the greatest of all time, Eddy Merckx. The Belgian great was known as 'The Cannibal' for his ferocious taste for victory. The new 'Cannibal' The 80-year-old Merckx believes Pogačar already has surpassed him. 'It's obvious that he is now above me,' Merckx told L'Equipe newspaper after Pogačar won the world championship last year. 'Deep down, I already thought as much when I saw what he did on the last Tour de France.' A fourth Tour win will draw Pogačar level with British rider Chris Froome for the fifth-most wins of all time. Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain have won cycling's biggest race five times. Vingegaard the main rival Pogačar's team is formidable. He will be supported by experienced all-rounders and climbers. His main threat appears to come from two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard, who leads Team Visma-Lease a Bike. The 28-year-old Danish rider was runner-up at the Critérium and arrives in much better shape than last year, when his preparations were hampered by a crash that left him with a broken collarbone and ribs, and a collapsed lung. Vingegaard's main concern is whether he can match Pogačar in the highest climbs. It is a key factor, since this year's Tour features six mountain stages, with five summit finishes. The support of teammates Wout van Aert, Matteo Jorgenson, Simon Yates and Sepp Kuss will be crucial to Vingegaard's chances. 'From day one we will have to be there as a team to optimally assist Jonas,' said Grischa Niermann, the team's head of racing. 'We have an optimal preparation behind us and with that, we think we can get the best possible result.' Who else might challenge? Although there are two clear favorites, the length and intensity of the Tour makes it a race of attrition, where bad days and crashes are always a threat, keeping the door open for other contenders. Record four-time Spanish Vuelta champion Primož Roglič, who dramatically lost the 2020 tour to Pogačar in a time-trial, remains a dangerous outsider. Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel has recovered from multiple injuries sustained in a big crash last year, but may lack the endurance to hang with Pogačar over the distance. João Almeida, Pogačar's teammate, is capable of leading any other team and could step in if needed. Vingegaard's teammates Jorgenson and Yates could also emerge if their leader struggles. What about the route? The Tour will be 100% in France this year with no stages starting from abroad. A mostly flat first week starts from Lille and stays in cycling-mad northern France for three stages. The peloton will then head south, via Brittany and the mountainous Massif Central region. Among the highlights of the route are a trio of Pyrenean stages including a time trial to Peyragudes in Stage 13, and a return to Luchon-Superbagnères. The climbing of the Mont Ventoux, the punishing ascent on which British rider Tom Simpson died in 1967, tests tired legs on Stage 16. The Alps could then decide the winner, with an ascent to Col de la Loze — the highest point of the race at 2,304 meters — and the ski resort of La Plagne in the Alps. The final stage to Paris promises to be spicy. Tour riders will climb the Montmartre hill three times during the stage — a significant break from tradition that adds a dose of suspense but could prove logistically challenging with heightened security measures required.
