Pogacar makes history with record-equalling fifth Tour de France title

Team Emirates-XRG cyclist Tadej Pogacar has won the 2026 Tour de France, securing a record-equaling fifth overall title.

The 27-year-old Slovenian completed the 21-stage race in 73 hours, 56 minutes and 26 seconds after crossing the finish line on Paris’ Champs-Elysees.

Pogacar claimed his third consecutive Tour de France victory and fifth overall title, having also won cycling’s most prestigious race in 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025.

He joined Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain as the male riders with the most Tour de France titles.

Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel finished second in the general classification, 6 minutes and 26 seconds behind Pogacar, while the Slovenian’s Mexican teammate Isaac del Toro took third at 9 minutes and 42 seconds.

The Netherlands’ Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech won the shortened 21st and final stage in Paris, narrowly beating Belgian teammate Jasper Philipsen in a sprint finish.

???????????? Una imagen para la historia del Tour de Francia.

Al cruzar la meta, Tadej Pogačar e Isaac del Toro lo hicieron tomados del brazo y, después, levantaron el dedo índice sobre sus cabezas para formar el gesto del “toro”, en reconocimiento al ciclista mexicano.

El emotivo… pic.twitter.com/nLQLfsafu4

— OSCAR MARIO BETETA (@MarioBeteta) July 25, 2026

“Incredible and unbelievable”

The final stage was reduced from 133 kilometres (82.6 miles) to 89 kilometres (55.3 miles) due to the deployment of emergency services to wildfires in southwestern France.

Pogacar said he was looking forward to taking some time off and enjoying the "small things" in life after making Tour de France history on Sunday.

"Right now I just want to enjoy the moment of winning the Tour," he said.

"If it's the fifth or the first, it doesn't matter -- it's unbelievable to wear the yellow jersey and to cross the line in Paris winning it.

"I will just enjoy this moment, not thinking about any history, not thinking about (joining any club).

"I just want to live this moment, come back home, relax, enjoy the small things of life.

"I'm really happy and proud to win a fifth Tour. Every single one has a different story, a different meaning, different emotions.

"Each one of them feels incredible and unbelievable for me."

Mathieu van der Poel achieved a career dream by winning the final stage on the famous Champs Elysees avenue in Paris.

The cobbled classics specialist escaped with world champion Pogacar on the Montmartre climb that was heaving with ecstatic fans.

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Source: TRT