On July 21, 2024, Tadej Pogačar crossed the finish line in Nice, France, securing his third Tour de France victory. He arrived six minutes ahead of his rival, Jonas Vingegaard, who had beaten him in the past two races. After winning, Pogačar said “After two hard years in the Tour de France, [there are] always some mistakes. This year — everything [worked] to perfection. I am super happy to win here.”
The Tour de France, an annual men’s multi-stage bicycle race that started in 1903, lasts three weeks and spans over 2,200 miles. Traditionally taking place in July, the route changes yearly but typically involves crossing the Pyrenees and Alps mountains before concluding in Paris. The race comprises 20 to 22 teams organized under a sponsor such as a bank or other institution, each with 8 cyclists working together to help their leader achieve first place. Competitors’ performances are timed and ranked based on their daily course completion times, and the quickest rider earns the yellow jersey to indicate their position.
On Friday, July 19, Pogačar made a decisive move on a final stretch, with five miles remaining, widening the gap between him and Vingegaard. As they headed into Saturday, Pogačar extended his lead to three minutes in some of the most difficult portions of the race, the Alps, which has some of the toughest climbs in the entire race. Finally, on the last day of the race, Pogačar began the day with a five-minute lead before ending the race six minutes ahead of second place.
While Pogačar was increasing his lead day after day, Vingegaard seemed to slow down. Still recovering from an April 2024 crash that left him with broken ribs and collarbone, Vingegaard acknowledged that the race was decided on Friday. Instead of attempting to beat Pogačar, he focused on securing second place over Remco Evenepoel on Saturday.
With the victor of the Tour de France alternating between Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard for the past five years, and both being relatively young at 25 and 27 respectively, this could mark the beginning of a new era in professional cycling.
The Tour de France, an annual men’s multi-stage bicycle race that started in 1903, lasts three weeks and spans over 2,200 miles. Traditionally taking place in July, the route changes yearly but typically involves crossing the Pyrenees and Alps mountains before concluding in Paris. The race comprises 20 to 22 teams organized under a sponsor such as a bank or other institution, each with 8 cyclists working together to help their leader achieve first place. Competitors’ performances are timed and ranked based on their daily course completion times, and the quickest rider earns the yellow jersey to indicate their position.
On Friday, July 19, Pogačar made a decisive move on a final stretch, with five miles remaining, widening the gap between him and Vingegaard. As they headed into Saturday, Pogačar extended his lead to three minutes in some of the most difficult portions of the race, the Alps, which has some of the toughest climbs in the entire race. Finally, on the last day of the race, Pogačar began the day with a five-minute lead before ending the race six minutes ahead of second place.
While Pogačar was increasing his lead day after day, Vingegaard seemed to slow down. Still recovering from an April 2024 crash that left him with broken ribs and collarbone, Vingegaard acknowledged that the race was decided on Friday. Instead of attempting to beat Pogačar, he focused on securing second place over Remco Evenepoel on Saturday.
With the victor of the Tour de France alternating between Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard for the past five years, and both being relatively young at 25 and 27 respectively, this could mark the beginning of a new era in professional cycling.