Tadej Pogacar Eyes Cycling Immortality with Potential Fourth Tour de France Triumph
The stage is set for an electrifying 112th edition of the Tour de France as reigning champion Tadej Pogacar gears up for what could be a historic ride into cycling’s elite ranks. The Slovenian sensation begins his quest for a fourth yellow jersey in Lille on Saturday, with eyes not only on victory but on solidifying his legacy among the greatest all-around cyclists in history.
Pogacar, still just 26 years old, has already captured the Tour title three times — in 2020, 2021, and most recently in 2024. A fourth win would place him alongside Britain’s Chris Froome in the exclusive club of four-time winners and bring him within striking distance of the all-time record of five Tour de France victories, held jointly by Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, and Miguel Indurain.
What sets Pogacar apart is his remarkable versatility. His spring campaign was nothing short of spectacular, as he conquered the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, while also earning podium finishes at Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix — a feat that has drawn comparisons to the likes of Merckx and Hinault.
His dominance carried into the Criterium du Dauphiné in June, where he stormed to three stage wins and clinched overall victory by a comfortable margin of 59 seconds ahead of Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard, a two-time Tour champion. Pogacar called the performance a “mental boost” for both himself and UAE Team Emirates. “This helps the morale and motivation for the Tour because it is the biggest goal of the season,” he said.
However, even Pogacar is not without flaws. During the Dauphiné’s 17.4-kilometer time trial, he showed signs of vulnerability, losing 48 seconds to Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel and 28 to Vingegaard. With two time trials totaling nearly 44 kilometers in this year’s Tour, rivals may see a narrow window of opportunity to exploit.
Vingegaard, the 2022 and 2023 Tour winner, returns with renewed focus after finishing over six minutes behind Pogacar last year. Now fully recovered from a concussion sustained in March’s Paris-Nice race, the 28-year-old Dane finished second at the Dauphiné, suggesting his form is peaking at the right time.
Backed by a formidable Visma-Lease a Bike squad that includes Giro d’Italia champion Simon Yates, 2023 Vuelta winner Sepp Kuss, rising American star Matteo Jorgenson, and the ever-reliable Wout van Aert, Vingegaard’s team appears ready for battle. “From Day 1, we will have to be there as a team to optimally assist Jonas in the general classification,” said Visma’s head of racing, Grischa Niermann.
Meanwhile, Remco Evenepoel returns to the Tour after an offseason setback that required surgery following a December training crash. The Belgian phenom impressed in his debut last year by finishing third, and his strong time trialing skills could make him a real threat if he stays close in the mountains.
With Pogacar aiming for glory, Vingegaard seeking redemption, and Evenepoel hungry for a breakthrough, the 2025 Tour de France promises to be one of the most fiercely contested in years.