Tadej Pogačar and the Tour de France: The Making of a Modern Legend

The story of Tadej Pogačar and his relationship with the Tour de France is one of brilliance, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of greatness. Over just a few short years, the Slovenian rider has cemented himself not only as one of the most dominant figures in modern cycling but also as a rider whose impact on the Tour has been both transformative and deeply personal. From his astonishing debut victories to his battles against adversity and the rivalries that have come to define his career, Pogačar’s connection to the Tour is nothing short of legendary — a saga that reflects the evolution of a prodigy into a champion who continues to redefine what’s possible on two wheels.

Born in Komenda, Slovenia, in 1998, Tadej Pogačar’s path to cycling superstardom was swift and inevitable. From his early days as a junior racer, it was clear that his talent was something extraordinary. But few could have predicted how quickly he would rise through the ranks and dominate the most prestigious race in the world — the Tour de France. His journey with the Tour began in 2020, in the most unexpected way imaginable. As a 21-year-old competing in his very first Tour, Pogačar stunned the cycling world by seizing the yellow jersey on the penultimate stage — a time trial that has since entered the annals of Tour history. In a breathtaking display of strength and poise, he overturned a near 60-second deficit to fellow Slovenian Primož Roglič, conquering the climb to La Planche des Belles Filles and claiming not just the overall victory, but also the mountain and young rider classifications. It was a performance that heralded the arrival of a new era, with Pogačar as its defining figure.

The 2020 Tour de France win was unlike any in recent history — not only because it came during the height of the pandemic, when the race itself was uncertain to even take place, but because of the manner in which Pogačar achieved it. Calm, methodical, and devastatingly efficient, he rode with the maturity of a seasoned veteran. His UAE Team Emirates squad may not have been the strongest on paper, but Pogačar’s strength in the mountains and against the clock made up for any deficit in support. His ability to manage the chaos of the peloton, read the race instinctively, and deliver decisive attacks when others faltered made his debut win one of the most iconic in Tour history.

If his 2020 victory was a revelation, his 2021 Tour de France performance was a confirmation. That year, Pogačar arrived as the favorite, facing heightened expectations and the weight of defending his title. From the very first mountain stages, it was clear that he was in a class of his own. On the ascent to Le Grand-Bornand, he attacked decisively, crushing the competition and taking control of the race. By the time the Tour reached the Pyrenees, Pogačar’s dominance was unquestioned. He claimed victories on back-to-back mountain stages — first on Col du Portet, then on Luz Ardiden — showcasing both his tactical brilliance and his seemingly effortless power. When he rode into Paris in the yellow jersey once again, he had not only defended his title but done so with an authority that recalled the greats of the past — Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin. He was only 22 years old, yet already a two-time Tour de France champion.

Pogačar’s relationship with the Tour, however, is not just one of triumph. It is also a story of challenge, rivalry, and reinvention. The 2022 edition of the Tour marked the beginning of one of cycling’s most thrilling rivalries: Tadej Pogačar versus Jonas Vingegaard. For much of that race, it appeared that Pogačar would once again reign supreme. He wore the yellow jersey early and won multiple stages, including a memorable sprint finish in Longwy. But as the race moved into the high Alps, the balance of power began to shift. On the grueling slopes of the Col du Granon, Pogačar cracked for the first time in his Tour career. It was a moment of human vulnerability from a rider often seen as invincible. Vingegaard, riding for Jumbo-Visma, seized the opportunity and took control of the race. Despite Pogačar’s relentless attempts to regain time — including a spectacular win at Peyragudes — the gap proved insurmountable. He ultimately finished second, gracious in defeat, acknowledging that he had been bested by a stronger rider that year.

That humility and sportsmanship only deepened the public’s admiration for Pogačar. His relationship with the Tour de France was no longer just about dominance; it was about resilience, about how a champion responds when faced with loss. In 2023, he returned determined to reclaim his crown. But again, fate intervened. After a spectacular spring season — including victories at the Tour of Flanders and Liège–Bastogne–Liège — Pogačar entered the Tour in superb form. Yet a crash during Liège–Bastogne–Liège had left him with a fractured wrist, and the effects lingered. Though he began the Tour strong, winning stages early on, the fatigue began to show as the race reached the third week. Once again, Jonas Vingegaard proved too strong in the mountains, particularly in the decisive time trial and the Col de la Loze stage. Pogačar finished second for the second consecutive year, but his defiance in the face of pain and exhaustion only elevated his legend further.

The 2024 Tour de France was a year of redemption. Pogačar, now 25 and entering the prime of his career, came to the race with renewed focus and an even stronger UAE Team Emirates lineup. The race began in Florence, marking the first Grand Départ ever held in Italy — a fitting tribute to cycling’s intertwined European heritage. From the opening stages, Pogačar and Vingegaard were once again locked in an epic duel. Each took turns landing blows: Pogačar’s attacks on the Galibier and Vingegaard’s counterpunches in the Pyrenees kept the race on a knife’s edge. But as the Tour approached its climax, Pogačar’s all-around strength began to tell. His time trial performance was flawless, and his explosive victory on Plateau de Beille broke Vingegaard’s resistance. When he rolled into Nice — where the Tour finished instead of Paris due to Olympic preparations — Pogačar was once again in yellow, reclaiming his throne and becoming a three-time Tour champion. It was a victory that symbolized persistence, evolution, and the fulfillment of a rivalry that had elevated both men to new heights.

By the time the 2025 Tour de France arrived, Pogačar’s relationship with the race had become something deeper — a defining thread in the fabric of his career. The 2025 edition promised one of the most competitive fields in years. Alongside Pogačar and Vingegaard were challengers like Remco Evenepoel, the Belgian prodigy known for his time-trialing prowess; Carlos Rodríguez of Ineos Grenadiers, an emerging all-rounder; and Egan Bernal, the 2019 champion making a spirited comeback from injury. Pogačar entered the race in peak form after winning the Critérium du Dauphiné, signaling that he was ready for another run at the title.

From the opening stages in Lille, it was clear that Pogačar meant business. He rode aggressively, always staying near the front, avoiding crashes and chaos. He took time early in the Stage 7 individual time trial, edging out Evenepoel by mere seconds to signal that his form was impeccable. In the mountains, his brilliance once again came to life. On Stage 11, to Luchon-Superbagnères, he launched a searing attack that left the field scattered, claiming the stage and the yellow jersey. His duel with Vingegaard reignited in the Pyrenees, where the two traded punches on the Col du Tourmalet. Evenepoel, meanwhile, remained a threat, taking another time trial later in the race and keeping within striking distance. But Pogačar’s consistency — and his ability to recover — gave him the upper hand as the Tour entered its final week.

The defining moment of the 2025 Tour came on Stage 17, finishing atop Mont Ventoux. Under blistering heat and with gradients that seemed almost unfair, Pogačar delivered a performance reminiscent of his early dominance. As the group of contenders thinned, he accelerated with five kilometers to go, dropping everyone — including Vingegaard and Rodríguez. His face, calm and focused, told the story of a rider completely in control. By the summit, he had gained nearly two minutes, effectively sealing his overall lead. The next day’s Alpine stage to Courchevel only confirmed his supremacy, as he controlled every attack with surgical precision. When the race reached Paris, there was no question — Tadej Pogačar had won his fourth Tour de France, joining an elite group that includes Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin.

Pogačar’s 2025 triumph was not just about numbers or dominance. It was about evolution. The young prodigy who had stunned the world in 2020 had matured into a complete rider — calculating yet fearless, humble yet commanding. His ability to learn from defeat, to adapt his training, and to build a team capable of matching the collective strength of Jumbo-Visma (now Visma–Lease a Bike) had made him nearly unbeatable. His relationship with the Tour de France had come full circle — from a surprise victor to a multi-time champion who carried the weight of expectation and still delivered brilliance on demand.

What makes Tadej Pogačar’s relationship with the Tour so captivating is not just his success, but his style. He rides with joy, attacking not merely to win, but to race. Fans love him not only for his dominance but for his willingness to animate the race — to take risks, to fight even when he could ride defensively. His battles with Vingegaard have become legendary, their respect for each other genuine and mutual. And beyond the competition, Pogačar has brought a refreshing humanity to the sport. His easy smile, self-deprecating humor, and genuine love of cycling have made him one of the most beloved figures the Tour has ever seen.

As the 2025 Tour de France concluded and the confetti fell on the Champs-Élysées, it was clear that Tadej Pogačar’s story with this race is far from over. At just 26 years old, he already stands among the giants, yet his hunger remains insatiable. Each Tour has been a chapter — triumph, defeat, redemption, and now legacy. And if history is any indication, the next chapters will only add to the legend. For in the ever-evolving saga of the Tour de France, Tadej Pogačar is not just a participant — he is its heartbeat, its modern hero, and perhaps its greatest love story in the making.