One of the hardest, if not the hardest, Tours I've been in, says Pogacar
The defending champion leads Jonas Vingegaard by 4:24 in the general classification heading into Stage 21, which will feature a spectacular finale with three climbs of the Butte Montmartre in the French capital — a twist on the traditional Champs-Elysees parade.
'Every year we say it's the hardest Tour ever, but I know that this year's Tour was something on another level,' Pogacar told reporters after finishing Saturday's 20th stage in the main bunch.
'Maybe one day we went a bit easier, but if you look at the power files throughout the whole Tour, it's been really amazing and tough. Even today we almost went all out from start to finish.'
The 26-year-old, who previously won the race in 2020, 2021 and last year, said the gruelling route had tested the peloton to its limits.
'I must say that even though it was the hardest, one of the hardest Tours I ever did, I enjoyed it and had good shape and good legs. Really looking forward to the last day tomorrow,' Pogacar, who has won 10 stages in the last two Tours, added.
After crossing the line on the penultimate stage, Pogacar, who on Friday said he was counting down the kilometres to Paris, hinted at a quick return to his bike despite three punishing weeks on the road.
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"Monday, I travel home, Tuesday maybe I go on the bike. You never know — if I feel good, I do a bit of riding, stop for coffee and enjoy summer at home," he said with a smile.
Asked about a possible appearance at the Vuelta a Espana later this year, which could further cement his place among cycling's greatest in case of victory, Pogacar remained non-committal.
"We will decide a couple of days after the Tour, after everything is calm. Then we can make decisions for the next races," he said.
"I think it's going to be tough to decide. Of course, I would like to go to the Vuelta. Every year I do the Tour and I would like to do the Vuelta one day also, yeah, we will see."
World champion Pogacar has won the Tour three times, achieved a rare Giro-Tour double last year, and has already claimed victory in three of the five Monuments - the most prestigious one-day races - prompting comparisons with Belgian all-time great Eddy Merckx. REUTERS
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Straits Times
20 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Predator and puppeteer: Pogacar turns the Tour into his stage
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 21 - Mantes-la-Ville to Paris - Paris, France - July 27, 2025 UAE Team Emirates XRG's Tadej Pogacar celebrates after crossing the finish line while wearing the yellow jersey after stage 21 to win the Tour de France REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier PARIS - At just 26, Tadej Pogacar has turned the Tour de France into his kingdom, claiming his fourth title on Sunday and cementing a reign that recalls the hunger of Eddy Merckx and the iron grip of Lance Armstrong – yet feels entirely his own. This victory was more than just a triumph - it was a showcase of transformation. Pogacar started the race as a lively, daring rider, delighting fans with audacious attacks and celebrating stage wins with unrestrained exuberance. Yet as the gruelling three-week event wore on, the Slovenian's demeanour shifted. The joy gave way to cold, calculating focus, showcasing his ability to transition from a crowd-pleaser to a commanding leader. Only in the final stage did Pogacar spring back to life in a ride resembling a one-day classic, during which he fought an epic duel with Belgian Wout van Aert. While he did not win, the joy of racing was briefly back as the world champion found a challenge at his measure. Through the first two weeks, Pogacar appeared unstoppable, claiming four stage wins, putting the hammer down on the climb to Hautacam and adding a dominant performance in the uphill time trial on Stage 13. That victory stretched his lead over Jonas Vingegaard to more than four minutes, reinforcing his position as the man to beat. His early attacks were bold, his energy seemingly endless. Fans witnessed the Pogacar they adored — smiling at the summit, waving to children on the roadside, and revelling in the pure joy of racing. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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On the climb to La Plagne, Pogacar allowed Thymen Arensman to claim the stage win, focusing instead on neutralizing Vingegaard's chances of winning the stage. That level of authority brought echoes of Armstrong's dominance in the early 2000s, although the context was vastly different. The psychological command over the race, however, felt familiar. Rivals stopped plotting to beat Pogacar, they plotted to survive. "It was one of the hardest, if not the hardest, Tours I've been in," Pogacar told reporters, emphasising the physical and mental challenges of defending his lead over three weeks. The Slovenian's calm demeanour occasionally cracked under pressure. After enduring repeated accelerations from rivals during a mountain stage, he described their tactics as 'a bit annoying.' While Pogacar never appeared physically vulnerable, his transition from carefree to businesslike reflected the immense weight of leadership. 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The way Pogacar is able to control a race feels organic, driven by raw talent, versatility, and a calm confidence that suggests inevitability rather than fear. Yet the final week of the Tour revealed another layer to Pogacar's character: the strain of expectation. Though his joy faded as the race progressed, replaced by steely determination, it is this duality - exuberance and strain, predator and puppet master - that makes Pogacar a compelling figure in modern cycling. With four Tour wins at 26, Pogacar stands tantalisingly close to the immortal mark of five titles, cementing his place among cycling's greats. REUTERS
CNA
20 minutes ago
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Predator and puppeteer: Pogacar turns the Tour into his stage
PARIS :At just 26, Tadej Pogacar has turned the Tour de France into his kingdom, claiming his fourth title on Sunday and cementing a reign that recalls the hunger of Eddy Merckx and the iron grip of Lance Armstrong – yet feels entirely his own. This victory was more than just a triumph - it was a showcase of transformation. Pogacar started the race as a lively, daring rider, delighting fans with audacious attacks and celebrating stage wins with unrestrained exuberance. Yet as the gruelling three-week event wore on, the Slovenian's demeanour shifted. The joy gave way to cold, calculating focus, showcasing his ability to transition from a crowd-pleaser to a commanding leader. Only in the final stage did Pogacar spring back to life in a ride resembling a one-day classic, during which he fought an epic duel with Belgian Wout van Aert. While he did not win, the joy of racing was briefly back as the world champion found a challenge at his measure. Through the first two weeks, Pogacar appeared unstoppable, claiming four stage wins, putting the hammer down on the climb to Hautacam and adding a dominant performance in the uphill time trial on Stage 13. That victory stretched his lead over Jonas Vingegaard to more than four minutes, reinforcing his position as the man to beat. His early attacks were bold, his energy seemingly endless. Fans witnessed the Pogacar they adored — smiling at the summit, waving to children on the roadside, and revelling in the pure joy of racing. However, the Alpine stages brought a noticeable change. Pogacar's appetite for stage victories diminished, replaced by a deliberate focus on controlling the race. On the climb to La Plagne, Pogacar allowed Thymen Arensman to claim the stage win, focusing instead on neutralizing Vingegaard's chances of winning the stage. That level of authority brought echoes of Armstrong's dominance in the early 2000s, although the context was vastly different. The psychological command over the race, however, felt familiar. Rivals stopped plotting to beat Pogacar, they plotted to survive. "It was one of the hardest, if not the hardest, Tours I've been in," Pogacar told reporters, emphasising the physical and mental challenges of defending his lead over three weeks. The Slovenian's calm demeanour occasionally cracked under pressure. After enduring repeated accelerations from rivals during a mountain stage, he described their tactics as 'a bit annoying.' While Pogacar never appeared physically vulnerable, his transition from carefree to businesslike reflected the immense weight of leadership. Even when Matteo Jorgenson launched an attack, Pogacar personally shut it down despite the American posing no threat to his overall lead - a testament to his meticulous control. COMPARISONS TO MERCKX Every milestone Pogacar achieves revives comparisons with Merckx, cycling's "Cannibal," who devoured everything in his path. The Belgian claimed five Tours, Giro-Tour doubles, and Monument wins during his remarkable career. With four Tour titles, one Giro win, multiple Monuments, and a world championship to his name, Pogacar is the closest to Merckx's level seen in decades. Bernard Hinault, one of four riders with five Tour wins, remarked that Pogacar is 'like me and Merckx,' while Merckx himself admitted that Pogacar's world title ride surpassed his own on that day. The defining question now is whether Pogacar can match Merckx's record of five Tour victories. His 2024 season - winning the Giro, Tour, and World Championships - echoes Merckx's mythical 1974 campaign. The way Pogacar is able to control a race feels organic, driven by raw talent, versatility, and a calm confidence that suggests inevitability rather than fear. Yet the final week of the Tour revealed another layer to Pogacar's character: the strain of expectation. Though his joy faded as the race progressed, replaced by steely determination, it is this duality - exuberance and strain, predator and puppet master - that makes Pogacar a compelling figure in modern cycling. With four Tour wins at 26, Pogacar stands tantalisingly close to the immortal mark of five titles, cementing his place among cycling's greats.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Peerless Pogacar claims fourth Tour title, Van Aert wins brutal final stage
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 21 - Mantes-la-Ville to Paris - Paris, France - July 27, 2025 UAE Team Emirates XRG's Tadej Pogacar celebrates as he crosses the finish line while wearing the yellow jersey after stage 21 to win the Tour de France REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier PARIS - Tadej Pogacar claimed his fourth Tour de France title on Sunday, cementing his status as the most dominant rider of his generation and moving alongside Britain's Chris Froome on the all-time winners' list. The 26-year-old Slovenian, who triumphed in 2020, 2021 and 2024, delivered a near-flawless performance, even coming close to prevailing on a spectacular final stage on the Champs Elysees after an epic duel with Belgian Wout van Aert. "Just speechless to win a fourth Tour de France. Six years in a row on the podium and this one feels especially amazing, and I'm super proud that I can wear this yellow jersey," Pogacar, who was second in 2022 and 2023, said. Pogacar attacked relentlessly in the ascents of the Butte Montmartre but eventually suffered a brutal counterpunch from Van Aert, who went solo to win the last stage. The competitive element was largely neutralised on Sunday after organisers decided to freeze the times with about 50 kilometres left due to hazardous road conditions in driving rain. It did not prevent Pogacar from going for it, however, but Van Aert proved to be the best on the day, beating Italian Davide Ballerini and third-placed Matej Mohoric with Pogacar taking fourth place. The world champion effectively sealed his victory in the Pyrenees, with a brutal attack on the climb to Hautacam and a commanding victory in the uphill individual time trial, leaving chief rival Jonas Vingegaard more than four minutes behind. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Sewage shaft failure linked to sinkhole; PUB calling safety time-out on similar works islandwide Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Asia Singapore-only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt World Food airdropped into Gaza as Israel opens aid routes Sport Arsenal beat Newcastle in five-goal thriller to bring Singapore Festival of Football to a close Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 Twice champion Vingegaard of Denmark ended up 4:24 off the pace in Paris. LIPOWITZ THIRD German Florian Lipowitz finished third, 11:00 behind Pogacar, on his Tour debut and won the white jersey for the best Under-25 rider. "This was one of the hardest Tours I've ever been in," Pogacar said. The celebrations turned tense on Sunday when the final stage featured three climbs up Montmartre. Times had been neutralised some 50km from the finish due to slippery roads, but a fierce fight for the stage win still unfolded. Pogacar equalled Froome (2013, 2015–17) and now only trails cycling greats Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil and Miguel Indurain, who share the record with five titles. Pogacar also secured the polka-dot jersey for the mountains classification, underlining his all-round dominance, while Italy's Jonathan Milan clinched the green jersey for the points competition. For Ineos Grenadiers, the once all-conquering team that ruled the 2010s with victories by Bradley Wiggins, Froome and Geraint Thomas, there was little to celebrate beyond two stage wins by Thymen Arensman. Thomas, a former champion, rode his last Tour in virtual anonymity, as the British team continues to face questions amid doping allegations reported in recent weeks. As tradition dictates, riders entered Paris in celebratory mood, but the finale proved anything but routine with the Montmartre climbs spicing up the closing laps. REUTERS
