Tadej Pogačar closed out a supreme 21-day performance to win the Tour de France in a rainy Paris on Sunday, crushing his rivals to rack up a fourth title.
Wout van Aert won the final-day cliffhanger on the cobbled roads of Montmartre, but Pogačar was spared any late challenge when the weather forced organisers to neutralise times to avoid potential accidents.
But Pogačar more than played his part on the final in a six-man breakaway during a thrilling finale before Belgian van Aert pulled away on the last climb.
"I was really happy they neutralised the times of the GC (general classification)," Pogačar said. "Then it was more relaxed to race and you just had to have good legs to be in front. I tried but hats off to Wout, he was incredibly strong. It was a really nice race."
Runner-up Jonas Vingegaard was unable to contend with Pogačar, but the winner praised the Dane for having helped him improve over the years.
"I spoke to Jonas today. We've been racing each other for five years now and we have raised each other to a higher level," Pogačar said.
Despite the rain, tens of thousands of spectators packed Montmartre to follow Pogačar's progress up and down the narrow lanes of the popular tourist spot.
He played to the delighted crowds by racing to the head of the peloton near the Moulin Rouge cabaret at the foot of the climb before van Aert produced a well-timed attack to drop Pogačar and charge to the finish line on the Champs-Élysées avenue.
Pogačar was fourth on the day, but after wins in 2020, 2021 and 2024, he again proved untouchable in the world's greatest bike race.
Vingegaard, the champion in 2022 and 2023, suffered two shocking off-days and ended second overall, 4 minutes 24 seconds adrift.
"We came out fighting in the first week, and after stage five, I felt I had the legs to win. It was clinched in the second week," Pogačar said.
Breakout German star Florian Lipowitz took third on his debut, rounding out the podium a distant 11 minutes off the pace in third.
Turning the screw
Defending his title, Pogačar embarked from the start in Lille as the clear favourite and won four stages along the way.
In the first week, he struck on rolling runs in the north and west at Rouen and the Mur de Bretagne.
He then turned the screw on the slopes of the Pyrenees in week two, with his rivals as good as vanquished.
Overall winner Tadej Pogačar (centre), second-placed Jonas Vingegaard (left), and third-placed Florian Lipowitz (right) celebrate on the podium. Source: AFP / Anne-Christine Poujoulat
In need of a massive turnaround in the Alps, Pogačar adopted mature tactics and sat on his rival's wheel.
After it was all over, a radiant Pogačar said he could finally relax.
"Everybody has different ideas about how to celebrate. I want some peace and beautiful weather, enjoying some quiet days at home."
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