Today, Tadej joined the most successful cyclists in Tour history. With his fifth victory, he matched an achievement that, before him, only four legendary riders had managed: Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain. Even though, before arriving in Paris, he had already celebrated five stage wins and built a convincing advantage over second-placed Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe), Tadej and his team UAE Team Emirates – XRG did not allow themselves a calm final day of racing.
He also tried to win the shortened 21st stage, in which the riders had to climb Montmartre three times. Tadej attacked several times, and on the final ascent he followed an attack by Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin Premier Tech); the two rode themselves about a 15-second gap to the chasers. But there were still a long 10 kilometers to go to the finish on the Champs-Élysées, during which the peloton closed in completely. In the final meters, Tadej eased off, while van der Poel held on and took a prestigious victory.
But for Tadej, what mattered was that the Tour, which started on July 4 in Barcelona, was finally over, and that he had won the yellow jersey for the fifth time. »It was an exceptional day, I’m speechless, it was an incredible day, an incredible atmosphere. I’m happy it’s over and that we’ve won for the fifth time. Every victory is truly special; I’ve raced the Tour seven times, and seven times I was on the winners’ podium. Five wins are something I probably wouldn’t even write in a story book. It’s incredible even for me,« Tadej said at the finish, where he put on the yellow jersey for the 71st time in his career.
Then Tadej spoke about the keys to success: »Many factors are important. But the most important thing is that you enjoy what you do, and that you have people around you you trust, who stand by you when you’re at your lowest point. That way you can build yourself and chase your dreams. You always have to set goals; after this I’ll have to find new ones.«
In his moment of triumph, he didn’t forget his rivals—Evenepoel, who took second place 6:26 back, as well as teammate Isaac del Toro, who was third, 9:42 behind. »The winners’ podium is extraordinary. I fought with incredible champions; it’s a shame that Jonas Vingegaard crashed out. That happened to many others as well—I wish them a speedy recovery, and that we’ll go head-to-head again next year,« Tadej indicated that after winning in 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025 and 2026 he will return to the Tour next year for a sixth win.
Although it looks like he’s winning without major difficulty, even he sometimes suffers at the biggest race in the world. »If you start the Tour, you have to suffer and go through a lot to be in this race. You face the biggest rivals, all in top form. Everyone who’s here is giving it their all, and because of that you have to suffer too,« Tadej said at the finish.
At the same time, he did not want to reveal whether his next challenge will be the Vuelta a España, which will start in Monte Carlo on August 22: »We’ll see. We’ve finished one dream—let’s not jump ahead and let’s enjoy the moment.”
Then, on the winners’ podium, he thanked everyone who follows him and supports him. »Thanks to all the fans, to all of France for hosting this great race, and thanks to my rivals for putting on a great show; over these last three weeks we fought a lot. Thanks to Remco and Isaac, to all the participants, for all the support from the fans, to my team, my teammates; thank you all—you are the best. Thanks to the people who truly support me all my life—Urška and my parents. Without them I wouldn’t be standing here for the fifth time, so thanks to everyone … and tonight, let’s party,« Tadej added on a historic evening in Paris.