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SportsPogacar, 27, wins fifth Tour de France, becomes youngest five-time champion
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On July 26, 2026, Tadej Pogacar (27) won his fifth Tour de France, joining cycling legends Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain as the only five-time winners. Pogacar achieved this milestone at a younger age than any of his predecessors. The final stage was shortened to 89 kilometers due to police being redeployed to fight devastating forest fires in southwestern France. The stage featured the iconic climb to Sacré-Cœur Basilica, a highlight from the 2024 Olympics. Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel won the final stage in a photo finish, while Mads Pedersen took the sprint jersey, Richard Carapaz won the climber's classification, and Isaac del Toro claimed the white jersey for best young rider. Lidl Trek won the team classification.
Source report
July 26, 2026, is a day for the history books of cycling. Tadej Pogacar (27) has become the fifth professional to win the Tour de France for the fifth time, placing himself alongside cycling legends Jacques Anquetil (†53), Eddy Merckx (81), Bernard Hinault (71), and Miguel Indurain (62). Notably, none of the other four were as young as the Slovenian at the time of their fifth triumph.
Final Stage Shortened
The 21st and final stage was shortened to 89 kilometers, starting and finishing on the Champs-Élysées. The route was reduced due to a shortage of police officers in Paris to secure the originally planned course from the suburb of Thoiry to the French capital. Officers have been deployed to the southwest of the country, where they are assisting in fighting devastating forest fires — a far greater concern for residents than a cycling race.
The party was in full swing at Sacré-Cœur. Photo: LOIC VENANCE/AFP
The climb up to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica remained on the schedule. Thousands lined the route on the section that became iconic during the 2024 Olympic Games. This climb is also the reason why the winner's press conference now takes place after the actual final stage, rather than on the penultimate day — too much can still happen here. The Moulin Rouge dancers were also present, performing on the street.
Stage Winner and Jersey Winners
The most prestigious stage of the race was won by Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel (31). He had broken away with Pogacar a few kilometers from the finish. Both were caught just 50 meters from the line, with Pogacar being overtaken, but van der Poel managed to save his second stage win by centimeters.
- Sprint Jersey: Mads Pedersen (30) of Denmark, from the German team Lidl Trek
- Best Climber: Richard Carapaz (33) of Ecuador
- White Jersey (Best Young Rider): Isaac del Toro (22) of Mexico, from Pogacar's UAE Team Emirates — succeeding Florian Lipowitz (25)
- Team Classification: Lidl Trek — a German winner at the 2026 Tour, though without a German rider in the lineup
Source
BILD - SportWestern
Part of this Story
Tour de France Stage 3 Held Amid Wildfires; Pogacar Takes Yellow Jersey