Tadej Pogacar secured his fifth victory in the Tour de France on Sunday, tying the legendary record held by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin. In a dramatic finish, Mathieu van der Poel captured his second stage win on the Champs-Élysées, narrowly outpacing the sprinters after breaking free with Pogacar during the final ascent of the Butte de Montmartre.

Eddy Merckx, widely regarded as cycling's greatest, expressed confidence in Pogacar's future, stating, "I don’t think he’ll be content just to draw level... He’ll soon break our record for Tour victories."

The 2026 Tour unfolded amidst intense heat and wildfires, yet Pogacar maintained a commanding presence. He dominated on notorious climbs including the Col du Tourmalet and Alpe d’Huez, while mentoring his protégé, Isaac del Toro, who finished third overall.

Other competitors faced challenges, with Remco Evenepoel and Paul Seixas showing promise but ultimately falling short in the shadow of Pogacar's prowess, as well as Jonas Vingegaard, who crashed out.

Pogacar's performance was historic, winning overall by nearly six and a half minutes and claiming five stage victories. He might have added a sixth had he not allowed Del Toro to win stage two.

Reflecting on the race, Pogacar acknowledged the unpredictability of the Tour, saying, "A lot of shit can happen."

However, his success is not without controversy. Team manager Mauro Gianetti highlighted the scrutiny surrounding Pogacar due to past scandals in cycling, emphasizing that doubts linger despite his achievements. The recent night-time testing by the Independent Testing Agency raised eyebrows but Pogacar accepted it, stating, "If this is necessary to prove that we are riding clean, then I totally accept it."

Looking ahead, Pogacar aims for the Vuelta a España, hoping to complete his Grand Tour accolades. The next Tour de France will start in Scotland, with Christian Prudhomme praising its potential to enhance cycling's growth in the UK.