Tadej Pogacar claimed a record-equalling fifth victory in the Tour de France on Sunday, joining an elite group of cycling legends. The Slovenian rider matched the achievements of Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin in the history of the race.
Merckx, widely considered the greatest cyclist ever, believes Pogacar is now set to win a sixth Tour title. The race took place under scorching conditions, with Pogacar and his rivals enduring stifling heat throughout the event.
Remco Evenepoel, an Olympic road race champion, nearly claimed his first Tour title but was narrowly beaten by Pogacar. Evenepoel’s performance showed he had overcome doubts and proved himself a serious contender for the overall win.
The statistics of this year’s race highlight one of the most dominant performances in modern Tour history. Pogacar won the overall race by nearly six and a half minutes, securing five stage victories along the way. He also set new records on famous climbs in both the Pyrenees and Alps, further cementing his dominance.
Pogacar said that winning the Tour was a big achievement but emphasized it was only one part of cycling’s demanding journey. He also helped his protégé, Isaac del Toro, finish in third place overall in the general classification.
Despite his success, Pogacar’s achievements are not without controversy or context. The most notable issue involves the Saunier Duval team, which faced a scandal in 2008. That year, the team withdrew from the Tour after their star rider, Riccardo Riccò, tested positive for blood-doping.
The team’s manager, Gianetti, admitted to making a mistake by including Riccò in the squad. Gianetti said he had asked Riccò to undergo testing before joining the team, but did not fully understand what was happening. He also mentioned that Riccò had a naturally high hematocrit level, which is a sign of blood doping.
Pogacar’s performance on the Galibier pass was one of the highlights of the race, as he outpaced rivals like Remco Evenepoel and Paul Seixas. Concerns about Pogacar’s support team resurfaced during the race, especially after he and his rival, Vingegaard, were tested at night.
Despite disrupted sleep, Pogacar accepted the testing as necessary to show he was competing cleanly. His actions and those of his rival Vingegaard are now under scrutiny, leaving their achievements in a complex position.
Regardless, Pogacar is expected to compete in the upcoming Vuelta a España next month. He hopes to win his first Vuelta title, as he has yet to claim all three Grand Tours.
The next Tour de France is expected to begin in Scotland, with Edinburgh as the likely starting city. Tour organizers have expressed excitement about bringing the race to Great Britain. They believe that such events can help grow cycling in the region and bring more attention to the sport.
IMAGE: 2022 Tour of Slovenia, Stage 3, Tadej Pogačar celebrating victory on Celje Castle. Photo: Petar Milošević / Wikimedia, taken 2022-06-17, CC BY-SA 4.0