Pogacar Nears Fifth Tour de France Win as Carapaz Claims Alpe d'Huez Stage

Tadej Pogačar clinched a record‑equalling fifth Tour de France victory on Saturday, joining an elite group of riders that includes Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin. The Slovenian secured the win after a decisive performance in the final stage, maintaining a lead of over three minutes on his nearest rivals and confirming his dominance across the three‑week race. His triumph marks the first time a rider has captured five Tour titles since Induráin’s fifth win in 1995, underscoring Pogačar’s status among cycling’s all‑time greats.

The 20th stage concluded on the iconic Alpe d’Huez, where Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz claimed a solo victory, finishing more than a minute ahead of the peloton. Carapaz’s win, his first on the legendary climb, lifted him into the top ten of the general classification and highlighted his resurgence after a challenging season. With the Tour now over, Pogačar’s fifth crown and Carapaz’s stage triumph will be remembered as the defining moments of this edition, setting the stage for the next cycle of competition in professional road cycling.