Mike O'Connor
Tadej Pogačar has joined cycling’s most exclusive club, claiming a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title as the 2026 race concluded with an attacking finale on the streets of Paris.
The Slovenian now sits alongside Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin as the only riders to have won the Tour five times. Remarkably, the 27-year-old still has every chance to stand alone in the record books before his career is over.
While the yellow jersey was effectively secured before the final weekend, Stages 20 and 21 still delivered memorable racing, with Richard Carapaz conquering Alpe d’Huez before Mathieu van der Poel held off the sprinters to claim victory on the Champs-Élysées.
Carapaz conquers Alpe d’Huez
The penultimate stage was shortened because of nearby wildfires but still finished on the iconic slopes of Alpe d’Huez.
Carapaz produced a perfectly judged ride from the day’s breakaway to take a solo victory, while Pogačar safely marked his closest rivals behind, ensuring there would be no late challenge to his overall lead.
The Slovenian admitted after the stage that, despite another commanding performance, three weeks of racing always bring uncertainty.
“I did really good this Tour,” Pogačar said. “It’s the Tour, it’s three weeks. A lot of things can happen.”
That understatement summed up a race in which fortune favoured the strongest rider. Pogačar won five stages, shattered climbing records on both the Col du Tourmalet and Alpe d’Huez, and guided teammate Isaac del Toro to third place overall.
Van der Poel delivers in Paris
If Stage 20 belonged to the climbers, the final day belonged to one of cycling’s greatest entertainers.
The Tour again incorporated multiple ascents of Montmartre before the traditional finish on the Champs-Élysées, encouraging aggressive racing rather than the ceremonial sprint finishes of years past.
Pogačar even joined the attacks on the final climb alongside Mathieu van der Poel before easing back as the finish approached.
Van der Poel, however, committed fully, holding off the rapidly closing sprinters to take his second stage victory of this year’s Tour by the narrowest of margins.
A champion enters cycling history
Pogačar finished the Tour more than six minutes ahead of Remco Evenepoel after three weeks in which he was consistently the strongest rider in the race.
Evenepoel though delivered his most convincing Tour campaign to date to secure second overall, while Isaac del Toro completed an outstanding debut with third place on general classification.
Pogačar’s fifth yellow jersey inevitably invites comparisons with the sport’s greatest champions, with Merckx believing the Slovenian will soon hold the record outright.
“I don’t think he’ll be content just to draw level with me and the other champions,” Merckx, 81, said. “He’ll soon break our record for Tour victories.”
The 2026 edition was raced in extreme heat, with organisers forced to alter the route during the final weekend because of wildfire concerns. Through every challenge, however, Pogačar remained untouchable, backed by another formidable UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad.
Australians battle through to Paris
Australia was well represented throughout the three weeks, with Jai Hindley finishing as the nation’s best-placed rider in 15th overall after producing some of his strongest climbing performances in the final week.
Ben O’Connor was next best in 28th, delivering another consistent Grand Tour for Team Jayco AlUla despite never quite finding the opening needed to challenge for a higher general classification finish.
Michael Storer again proved one of the race’s most aggressive climbers, repeatedly featuring in mountain breakaways before finishing 35th overall, while Kaden Groves completed his Tour in support of Alpecin-Deceuninck. Although his sprint opportunities were limited, the team ended the race on a high with Van der Poel’s spectacular victory in Paris.
For Pogačar, though, the final word belonged to history. Five Tour de France titles before turning 28 places him alongside the legends of the sport, and, if current form is any guide, he may not have to wait long before becoming the most successful Tour winner the race has ever seen.
Keep a look out for Anthony ‘The Tan Man’ Tan’s race recap coming soon.
Tour de France 2026 – Final General Classification
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tadej Pogačar (SLO) | UAE Team Emirates-XRG | 73:56:26 |
| 2 | Remco Evenepoel (BEL) | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe | +6:26 |
| 3 | Isaac Del Toro (MEX) | UAE Team Emirates-XRG | +9:42 |
| 4 | Paul Seixas (FRA) | Decathlon CMA CGM | +11:56 |
| 5 | Lenny Martinez (FRA) | Bahrain Victorious | +13:02 |
| 6 | Mattias Skjelmose (DEN) | Lidl-Trek | +14:59 |
| 7 | Juan Ayuso (ESP) | Lidl-Trek | +17:48 |
| 8 | Richard Carapaz (ECU) | EF Education-EasyPost | +20:00 |
| 9 | Tom Pidcock (GBR) | Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team | +29:28 |
| 10 | Jordan Jegat (FRA) | TotalEnergies | +33:21 |
Mike O’Connor – A keen cyclist, runner and photographer, Mike O’Connor is the Editor of Bicycling Australia. He manages the BA website and social media, and loves promoting the achievements of Australian cyclists.
