Slovenia shines as Tadej Pogačar wins third Tour de France title

Monaco to Nice – Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar clinched his third Tour de France victory on Sunday, July 21, by triumphing in the final time trial from Monaco to Nice. This victory marks his sixth stage win in the 111th edition of the race.

Pogačar, already victorious in 2020 and 2021, beat Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard by 1 minute and 3 seconds in the time trial.

He becomes the first rider since Italy’s Marco Pantani in 1998 to achieve the Giro-Tour de France double in the same year.

In the final general classification, Pogačar led Vingegaard by 6 minutes and 17 seconds, and Belgian Remco Evenepoel by 9 minutes and 18 seconds.

Pogačar gained a decisive advantage in the Pyrenees and solidified his lead in the Alps.

The top three in the general classification finished in the same order in Sunday’s time trial, with Evenepoel, the world time trial champion, finishing 1 minute and 14 seconds behind the yellow jersey.

Pogačar’s dominance throughout the race was absolute, taking the yellow jersey on the fourth day and never relinquishing it.

His six stage victories and overall supremacy echoed the triumphs of legends like Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault.

At just 25, Pogačar joins the Tour de France hall of fame alongside Louison Bobet, Greg LeMond, and Philippe Thys.

The record of five victories remains shared by Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil, and Miguel Indurain.