Tadej Pogačar has cemented his place among the greatest riders in cycling history after winning the Tour de France for a record equaling fifth time. The Slovenian star finished the 2026 race with a commanding 6 minute, 26 second advantage over Remco Evenepoel, while teammate Isaac del Toro completed the podium in third. Pogačar’s victory puts him alongside Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain as the only five time champions.
Pogačar established his authority early in the race and remained the rider to beat throughout the three week competition. His performance was not limited to individual victories: he repeatedly worked for his UAE Team Emirates XRG teammates, particularly Del Toro, whose third place finish marked an impressive result for the young Mexican rider. Pogačar also collected several stage victories, including a memorable win at Alpe d’Huez, further underlining his dominance.
The race also changed dramatically when Jonas Vingegaard, Pogačar’s main rival in recent Tours, crashed out on Stage 15. His withdrawal removed one of the biggest challenges to Pogačar’s overall victory, although Evenepoel continued to provide strong competition and finished second after several impressive performances in the mountains and time trial.
The final stage in Paris nevertheless provided plenty of drama. Mathieu van der Poel and Pogačar broke away from the main group during the closing laps, creating an exciting battle through the streets of the French capital. Pogačar ultimately faded in the final sprint, allowing Van der Poel to claim the stage victory, but the Slovenian had already secured the achievement that mattered most: his fifth yellow jersey.
Pogačar’s latest triumph places him in an exceptionally small group in Tour history and strengthens his reputation as one of the defining cyclists of his generation. With the Vuelta a España beginning in August, attention will now turn to whether he decides to compete in Spain and pursue another major victory. For now, however, his fifth Tour title stands as the defining achievement of the 2026 cycling season.
