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

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PARIS — For the first time in half a century, the Tour de France will break with its iconic finale format—swapping the traditional Champs-Élysées sprint for a dramatic climb through Montmartre, one of Paris’s most picturesque but punishing hills.

The shift, announced by race organizers last week, has ignited controversy among riders and fans alike. With the final stage set to take on cobbled streets and steep inclines in the shadow of the Sacré-Cœur basilica, critics are warning the spectacle could come at the cost of rider safety and tradition.

A Historic Shift in the Tour’s Final Stage

Since 1975, the Tour de France has closed with a largely ceremonial ride into Paris, culminating in a fast-paced sprint finish on the Champs-Élysées. But this year’s race, which begins July 5 in Lille, will end with a twist—one that could upend expectations.

Organizers confirmed that riders will tackle the iconic Montmartre climb before concluding the 3,320-kilometer (2,060-mile) race in the heart of Paris. While full route details won’t be unveiled until Wednesday, the decision marks a bold departure from past Tours.

At the 2023 Paris Olympics, Montmartre drew massive crowds and electrifying energy during the cycling events. Tour organizers say they hope to capture that same momentum by incorporating the climb into this year’s grand finale.

Riders Voice Safety and Strategic Concerns

Not all are welcoming the change. Elite cyclists have voiced concerns over the narrow, cobbled climb—especially with a full peloton of 150 riders fighting for position on the final day.

“Montmartre was nice at the Olympics. Great atmosphere, for sure,” said two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard. “But we were down to 15 riders. At the Tour, there will be more than 150 jostling for space on a tight climb. That’s asking for chaos.”

Remco Evenepoel, who won Olympic gold in Paris last year, also criticized the move. He argued that riders would be exhausted by then and warned the new route could unfairly disadvantage sprinters.

“Sprinters usually get one big shot at glory in Paris,” he told Belgian outlet Sporza. “That’s now being taken away. Montmartre is an unnecessary obstacle at that point in the race.”

Risk of Weather and Disruption Looms

Team managers are also wary of external factors like weather, which could make the Montmartre finish even more dangerous.

“Imagine a light rain on those cobbles,” said Marc Madiot, manager of Groupama-FDJ. “Do we want a spectacle? A tribute to the Olympics? Or do we want a fair end to a grueling three-week race? This could put everything that’s happened in jeopardy.”

Madiot’s concerns reflect a broader unease: If the general classification (GC) remains tight heading into the final day, the yellow jersey could be decided on terrain many consider unsuitable for such high stakes.

What It Means for the Race — and the Riders

The traditional final-day sprint has long been seen as a reward for sprinters who often sacrifice personal glory in support roles throughout the Tour. The Champs-Élysées stage is not only prestigious but also one of the few moments where they’re in the spotlight.

This year’s Montmartre route changes that equation.

If the climb comes near the finish or is repeated, pure sprinters could be dropped before the line. If GC times are close, the yellow jersey could be on the line in a finale that’s anything but ceremonial.

Tour de France 2025: Key Dates

• Start: July 5 from Lille, northern France

• Final Stage: Paris via Montmartre (exact route details to be revealed Wednesday)

• Women’s Tour Start: July 26 from Vannes, Brittany

As race organizers push for innovation and spectacle, they now face mounting pressure to balance excitement with rider safety and the Tour’s rich heritage.

One thing is certain: This year’s finale will be one of the most unpredictable in modern Tour history.

Source: AP News – Tour de France breaks with 50-year-old tradition and raises safety concerns

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PARIS — The Tour de France is shaking things up with a bold new twist for its grand finale—and it’s already stirring plenty of debate.

For decades, the Tour’s last stage in Paris has been a mostly celebratory procession, ending with a thrilling sprint on the Champs-Élysées. But this July, the race organizers are breaking tradition by adding a tough climb up the famous Montmartre hill, right in the heart of the French capital.

Why Montmartre?

Montmartre, known for its artistic charm and breathtaking views of Paris, wowed crowds during last year’s Olympics. Inspired by the electric atmosphere, Tour officials announced the climb will be part of the final stage, with riders passing under the iconic Sacré-Coeur basilica before what could be a dramatically different race finish.

This 3,320-kilometer (2,060-mile) Tour will return to Paris after last year’s final stage was held outside the city for the first time since 1905 due to the Olympics. But with Montmartre’s steep slopes included, the final sprint may no longer be a sure thing.

A Game Changer?

The addition could shake up the race in a major way. If the climb comes close to the finish or is repeated multiple times, pure sprinters might struggle to keep up. And if the overall race remains close, the coveted yellow jersey could be decided right here in Paris — something almost unheard of in recent memory.

Riders Are Worried

Not everyone is excited. Some top cyclists have already voiced concerns about the change.

Two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard said the climb was manageable during the Olympics, where the field was much smaller. But the Tour’s large peloton of about 150 riders battling for position on narrow, cobbled streets could turn the climb into a stressful bottleneck.

Remco Evenepoel, last year’s Olympic road race gold medalist, echoed that sentiment. He worries sprinters will lose a rare chance to shine on the Champs-Élysées and that the final day will become unnecessarily tough for exhausted riders.

Safety and Strategy

Race organizers are working closely with Paris authorities to ensure safety on Montmartre’s narrow, cobbled roads. But team manager Marc Madiot warned that wet weather could make the climb even more dangerous, potentially overshadowing the race’s thrilling moments.

He questioned whether the move is about putting on a show or genuinely enhancing the competition, cautioning that a hard-fought final day might undo weeks of racing.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 Tour de France kicks off on July 5 in Lille. Meanwhile, the women’s race begins later that month on July 26 in Vannes, Brittany. As the cycling world awaits full route details to be announced soon, one thing is clear: this year’s finale promises to be one of the most talked-about in recent history.

Source: AP News – Tour de France’s new Montmartre climb could be a game changer. It sparks controversy

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