Tadej Pogačar claims fourth Tour de France title, reinforcing legacy as one of cycling’s greats

Written July 29, 2025 – 15:30 EDT

Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar has officially won his fourth Tour de France title, completing a commanding performance that places him firmly among the sport’s all-time greats. The 25-year-old secured victory on Sunday in Paris after three weeks of consistent dominance, finishing more than four minutes ahead of his closest rival.

Pogačar, who also wore the rainbow jersey as the reigning world champion, becomes the first rider since Greg LeMond in 1990 to win the Tour while holding that honor. With this win, he now stands just one title behind the record five Tour de France victories shared by legends like Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin.

Pogačar’s dominance from start to finish

From the first stage to the finish line on the Champs-Élysées, Pogačar controlled the general classification with exceptional riding across all terrains. He won four stages during the race, including two individual time trials and two decisive mountain stages.

His commanding effort on Stage 12 to Hautacam was a turning point. There, he launched a searing attack that dropped Jonas Vingegaard—his main rival—and gained over two minutes on the Dane. That performance, coupled with earlier time trial victories, gave him a lead that proved unbreakable in the final week.

While Vingegaard remained a constant challenger, he could never shake Pogačar’s wheel, even with aggressive tactics in the high Alps. The Slovenian responded calmly, defending his yellow jersey with strength and poise.

Final stage in Paris and Montmartre attack attempt

The final stage of the race, which traditionally ends with a ceremonial procession followed by a fast-paced sprint, provided a thrilling spectacle. Pogačar made an audacious attempt to win the stage himself, joining the day’s breakaway on the cobbled climbs of Montmartre.

However, Belgian rider Wout van Aert outpaced him in the closing kilometers and secured the stage win. Despite falling short of victory on the day, Pogačar crossed the line in Paris safely, locking in his fourth overall triumph.

Tour standings and major jersey winners

Pogačar’s performance in the general classification saw him finish 4 minutes and 24 seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard, a two-time Tour de France winner himself. No other rider came within 10 minutes of the Slovenian.

Florian Lipowitz of Germany rounded out the podium in third place, more than 11 minutes behind Pogačar. His strong ride also earned him the white jersey awarded to the Tour’s best young rider under the age of 26.

In the points classification, Italy’s Jonathan Milan claimed the green jersey, which is typically worn by the race’s top sprinter. Meanwhile, Pogačar added to his accolades by also winning the polka-dot jersey as the Tour’s best climber, highlighting his versatility and all-round talent.

A rare achievement as world champion and Tour winner

Pogačar’s Tour victory is notable not just for its margin but also for his status as the reigning world champion. The last cyclist to achieve this double was Greg LeMond in 1990, making Pogačar’s win a historic milestone in modern professional cycling.

His rainbow jersey was a constant presence at the front of the peloton, and his ability to remain composed under pressure while performing across flat stages, steep climbs, and technical time trials speaks to his elite skill and conditioning.

Pogačar’s place in cycling history

With this fourth title, Tadej Pogačar joins an elite group of riders who have dominated the Tour multiple times. Only four men—Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin—have claimed the Tour de France five times.

Notably, Lance Armstrong’s seven Tour titles were stripped in 2012 after he admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. Pogačar, by contrast, has won all four of his titles cleanly, with no controversy attached to his victories.

His continued dominance at a relatively young age suggests that a fifth—and potentially more—Tour titles may be within reach in the coming years.

Reaction from the cycling world

The cycling community has hailed Pogačar’s achievement as one of the finest performances in the modern era. Commentators have praised not only his physical strength but also his tactical awareness, humility, and sportsmanship throughout the race.

Even rivals like Vingegaard expressed admiration. “He was just too strong this year. I gave everything, but Tadej was on another level,” Vingegaard said in a post-race interview.

What’s next for Pogačar?

With the 2025 season still underway, all eyes will be on Pogačar as he looks ahead to the Vuelta a España later this year and the UCI Road World Championships next season. Given his form and age, there is growing speculation that he may target all three Grand Tours over the next few years—a feat achieved by only a handful of riders in history.

His versatility across disciplines—climbing, sprinting, and time trials—gives him a unique edge in both stage races and one-day classics.

Conclusion

Tadej Pogačar’s fourth Tour de France victory marks a defining chapter in his already remarkable career. As he stood atop the podium in Paris, draped in yellow and flanked by the sport’s rising stars, he represented not just a champion—but a generational talent rewriting cycling history in real time.

With the hunger and ability to achieve even more, Pogačar is on track to become one of the most decorated and respected cyclists of all time.

Source: CNN – Tadej Pogačar wins fourth Tour de France title, underlining status as one of cycling’s greats