There are moments, even in sport, that mark history, and yesterday those who were in Paris were able to live through one, witnessing Tadej Pogačar's fifth triumph at the Tour de France. It was no surprise, given the Slovenian's total dominance in the 113th edition of the Grande Boucle, but the feat became reality when he stepped onto the podium, symbolically placing himself alongside those legends who have won it five times, and a promise for the future as well. Pogačar completed his fifth Tour victory at just 27 years old, two years younger than Eddie Merckx, who had until now been the youngest to achieve the feat, and he has many seasons ahead to do better than the Belgian, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain, and not only on the roads of France. "Now that this result has been achieved, I need to find a new goal to pursue, but I'll think about that later — right now I want to enjoy these moments," he already announced yesterday, leaving the door open for participation in the Vuelta, the only Grand Tour he has yet to win.
Upon waking this morning, Pogačar could have spent a few hours reading headlines and articles dedicated to him by the press and media in France and around the world in his honour. The Athletic, for example, calls him "the greatest rider of his generation, and probably of all time" — an assessment shared by all Slovenian newspapers — who "makes the incomprehensible seem ordinary... A fifth face will need to be carved onto cycling's Mount Rushmore." A touch of American originality in what is inevitably a monotonous paean to the extraordinary talents of the UAE Emirates rider, who manages to flatten mountains and knows how to win in every condition, of racing and of terrain, constantly breaking new records.
A slight discordant note can be found in the headline of the Swiss daily Le Temps, which points out that he "fascinates as much as he continues to raise questions." The shock of the Lance Armstrong affair has not yet been forgotten, as demonstrated by the nocturnal anti-doping checks carried out last week on the Slovenian and also on his rival Jonas Vingegaard, who subsequently withdrew. A shadow that the world of cycling, despite all its efforts, cannot entirely make disappear.
There is no doubt, however, about Pogačar's ability to turn everything he touches to gold, especially in his own favour. If in 2025 he is estimated to have earned over ten million euros — between salary, prize money and sponsorships — this year he will likely earn even more. But with his victories, the champion does not only enrich himself but also his team, UAE Emirates, which at the end of the Tour collected a prize of over 800,000 euros, a third of the total prize money distributed by the organisers. Stage after stage, thanks to five stage wins, the overall victory and Isaac Del Toro's third place in the general classification, as well as sporting prestige, the Slovenian has also filled the team's coffers, which are more than happy to repay him at multiplied figures. The season is far from over, Pogačar is seeking new goals, and his fans are simply waiting to see him back in the saddle.