Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar has etched his name in cycling history by becoming the first rider since 1998 to achieve the coveted Giro d'Italia and Tour de France double. Securing his third Tour de France title on Sunday, Pogacar demonstrated unparalleled dominance by winning the final stage, marking his sixth stage victory of the race.
In a commanding performance, Pogacar outpaced defending champion Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark and Belgian Remco Evenepoel, finishing with an impressive margin of six minutes and 17 seconds. \"I'm super happy, I cannot describe how happy I am after two hard years in the Tour de France, always some mistakes and this year, everything to perfection,\" Pogacar expressed, highlighting his relentless pursuit of excellence.
The final stage saw Pogacar triumph in the 33.7-kilometer individual time trial from Monaco to Nice, completing it in 45 minutes and 24 seconds. This victory not only secured his overall win but also showcased his superior stamina and strategy, leaving his rivals trailing by over a minute.
Pogacar's journey in this Tour has been nothing short of spectacular, leading the race since stage four and expanding his lead with consecutive stage wins on stages 14, 15, 19, and 20. His unwavering performance has set a new benchmark in professional cycling, inspiring fans and fellow athletes worldwide.
Additionally, Eritrea's Biniam Girmay claimed the green jersey for the points classification, while Richard Carapaz of Ecuador took home the polka dot jersey for the mountains classification. Pogacar's team, UAE Team Emirates, also emerged victorious in the team classification, underscoring their collective strength and strategy throughout the race.
This year's Tour de France marked a historic moment as it concluded outside Paris for the first time in its 121-year history, a nod to the upcoming Olympic Games. The race finale with a time trial harkened back to 1989, when Greg LeMond secured his victory on the final day.
Pogacar's extraordinary achievement not only highlights his exceptional talent but also sets a new standard for future cyclists aiming to conquer multiple Grand Tours.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
