Cyclist Pogačar Wins 5th Tour de France, Ties 31-Year Record

Tadej Pogačar held up five fingers as he crossed the finish line in Paris, cementing his place among cycling's greatest legends. The 28-year-old Slovenian captured his fifth Tour de France victory on July 26, matching a record set by cycling icons like Jacques Anquetil and becoming the first to achieve this feat since Miguel Indurain in 1995.

Pogačar completed the 21-stage race covering 3,197 kilometers in 73 hours, 56 minutes, and 26 seconds. He finished a commanding 6 minutes and 26 seconds ahead of Belgium's Remco Evenepoel, who finished second.

The final stage ended early when officials stopped timing 48 kilometers before the traditional Champs-Élysées finish due to rain-soaked roads. Safety concerns trumped ceremony, but nothing could diminish Pogačar's dominant performance throughout the three-week race.

What makes this achievement extraordinary is Pogačar's perfect record. In seven Tour de France starts, he has finished on the podium every single time, including five victories.

French newspaper L'Équipe dubbed him "monster" for his ability to excel on every type of terrain. While most elite cyclists specialize in either mountain climbs or flat sprints, Pogačar dominates both with equal skill.

His competitors openly acknowledged his supremacy. "The only way for me to win is if Pogačar doesn't participate in the race," admitted second-place finisher Evenepoel. French rising star Paul Seixas, who placed fourth, described Pogačar's racing as "absolutely insane."

The Bright Side: Despite his overwhelming dominance, Pogačar showed what true sportsmanship looks like during the penultimate stage. When teammate Isaac del Toro struggled with poor conditioning, Pogačar sacrificed his own energy to shield the younger Mexican rider from wind resistance. That act of kindness helped del Toro finish third overall and claim the White Jersey for best rider under 25.

Standing on the Paris podium, Pogačar reflected on his journey with genuine humility. "Having participated in the Tour de France seven times and finishing on the podium each time, including five victories, it feels like a fairy tale," he said. "I still find it hard to believe."

At 28 years old with potentially many racing years ahead, Pogačar could shatter records that have stood for decades.