Tadej Pogacar has entered a select group of cycling immortals by winning the Tour de France for a fifth time, matching the record established by Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Bernard Hinault and Jacques Anquetil. The 27-year-old Slovenian cyclist, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, achieved the milestone at the youngest age of any rider to do so, suggesting he may have the longevity to pursue additional titles if he wishes, unlike American Lance Armstrong, whose seven wins were stripped following a 2012 doping scandal.

Pogacar controlled the race with near-total command after seizing the yellow jersey during stage six, never relinquishing it through the final stretch to Paris, where he crossed the line with a comfortable 6 minute, 26 second advantage. Though Danish rival Jonas Vingegaard—who had defeated Pogacar in the previous two years—suffered a collarbone fracture in stage 15, the Slovenian was already holding a decisive 4.5 minute lead at that point. In remarks following the penultimate stage, Pogacar indicated his commitment to cycling's most demanding endurance test may wane in coming years.