UAE Team Emirates star Tadej Pogacar made history by becoming the first rider to achieve the Giro d’Italia/Tour de France double since 1998. Pogacar secured his third Tour title and cemented his dominance by winning the final stage, marking his sixth stage success in the competition. The Slovenian emerged victorious ahead of defending champion Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark and Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel, with a winning margin of six minutes and 17 seconds.
Pogacar expressed his happiness and satisfaction with his performance, stating that he had strived for perfection after encountering challenges in previous Tour de France editions. He showcased his superior skills by winning the 33.7-km individual time trial from Monaco to Nice, finishing in a time of 45 minutes and 24 seconds, with a notable gap over his closest competitors. Despite holding a substantial lead over Vingegaard, Pogacar pushed forward with determination and secured his third consecutive stage win, ending the Tour in style.
Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay clinched the green jersey for the points classification, while Richard Carapaz of Ecuador claimed the polka dot jersey for the mountains classification. Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates secured the team classification accolade, while Evenepoel, who shone in the time trial stage, earned the white jersey for the best young rider. The Tour de France concluded outside Paris for the first time in its 121-year history, featuring a time trial finish, reminiscent of the 1989 finale where Greg LeMond overtook Laurent Fignon on the last day.
Pogacar’s exceptional lead since stage four solidified his position as the frontrunner, extending his advantage with victories in subsequent stages. Vingegaard, recovering from an injury hiatus, managed a stage win but fell short of defending his title. Evenepoel’s initial hopes for repeating his time trial success were dashed as Vingegaard outperformed him, overshadowed by Pogacar’s commanding presence. Pogacar’s achievement of the Giro/Tour double, a rare feat in cycling history, sets him apart as one of the elite riders in the sport.
Reflecting on his triumphant Tour de France journey, Pogacar expressed confidence and enjoyment throughout the competition, highlighting his consistent performance and unwavering determination. His remarkable display of skill and dominance captivated audiences and solidified his status as a cycling legend. Pogacar’s historic victory serves as a testament to his talent and dedication, showcasing the immense success he has achieved in the world of cycling. Followers of the sport can anticipate further achievements and victories from Pogacar as he continues to make his mark on the cycling world.
