As the sun set over Paris and the champagne bottles clinked among the UAE Team Emirates bus, a familiar silhouette stood basking in the golden glow of glory. Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian cycling prodigy turned legend-in-the-making, had just secured his fourth Tour de France title — and perhaps his most meaningful one yet.
In a Tour that was expected to be a nail-biting tactical war between the two modern titans — Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard — the battle ended in a decisive victory for the 26-year-old. But behind the dominance was a story of quiet reinvention, relentless determination, and a team that executed a near-flawless campaign.
This exclusive post-Tour blog takes a deeper look into how Pogačar reclaimed cycling’s most coveted prize, featuring insight from his rivals, teammates, and the man himself.
From Pain to Power: The Making of a Champion’s Comeback
It was July 23, 2023, when Pogačar stood on the second step of the podium behind Jonas Vingegaard for the second consecutive year. While gracious in defeat, the loss stung. Two Tours in a row, two attempts to dethrone the Dane, two failures. Critics began whispering: Had Vingegaard cracked the code? Had Pogačar peaked too early?
But what followed was not despair — it was reinvention.
“I went back home to Komenda and just shut everything out for a few weeks,” Pogačar told us in an exclusive post-race interview. “I had to think not just as a rider, but as a student of the sport. I needed to understand why I lost — not just physically, but tactically.”
His conclusion? Vingegaard had out-teamed him. While Pogačar relied on individual brilliance, Vingegaard’s Visma squad had suffocated races with collective dominance. For 2025, something had to change.
The UAE Overhaul: Building a Tour-Winning Machine
Over the winter of 2024-25, UAE Team Emirates made bold moves. They reinforced their climbing depth by signing Marc Soler back into the fold, extended João Almeida and Adam Yates, and intensified their time trial preparations with cutting-edge wind tunnel testing. The internal motto? Protect the crown.
“We knew we had the strongest rider,” said team manager Mauro Gianetti. “But in the last two years, we didn’t have the strongest team. This year, we decided to change that.”
They built a Tour plan that revolved around:
- Control: Using Almeida and Yates to neutralize breakaways early.
- Energy Preservation: Protecting Pogačar on flat stages and in crosswinds.
- Timed Attacks: Focusing on specific stages, notably the high Alps and the Stage 20 time trial.
The result? A perfectly orchestrated campaign.
Crucial Moments That Defined the 2025 Tour
Pogačar may have worn the yellow jersey from Stage 4, but the real breakthroughs came in a few key moments:
1. Stage 9: Crosswinds and Chaos
On the flat roads into Saint-Amand-Montrond, a vicious crosswind tore through the peloton. Vingegaard, caught in the second echelon, lost nearly a minute. UAE had anticipated this — and had placed all their GC riders at the front.
“Those were the hardest 20 kilometers of the race,” said Almeida. “But we knew if we broke it there, we could change the entire Tour.”
2. Stage 14: The Knockout Blow at Pla d’Adet
In the Pyrenees, Pogačar launched a signature uphill attack with 3 km to go, dropping Vingegaard and gaining 1’32”. “I knew that climb,” he said. “I had been there in training. I waited for the last hairpin, where I knew he would start to fade.”
That stage flipped the narrative: Pogačar wasn’t just defending the lead — he was actively building it.
3. Stage 20: The Time Trial Masterclass
Historically a weakness compared to Vingegaard, Pogačar stunned the world with a near-perfect time trial over the 37 km route to Monaco. He beat Vingegaard by 52 seconds — eliminating any final hope of a late comeback.
“We’ve worked more on time trials this year than ever before,” said his coach, Iñigo San Millán. “Tadej was obsessed. He knew that’s where Jonas had crushed him in 2023.”
Inside the Peloton: Rivals Weigh In
Jonas Vingegaard (2nd Overall):
“I have no excuses. Tadej was the strongest. He had the better legs, the better team, and the better tactics. I’ll take the offseason to reset, but I want my jersey back.”
Carlos Rodríguez (3rd Overall):
“Watching those two is like watching Federer and Nadal. But Tadej was on another level. He made us all feel like passengers sometimes.”
Tom Pidcock (5th Overall):
“He rides with joy. Even when he’s attacking you, there’s this weird calm to it. Like he’s not suffering. But we all are.”
The Man Behind the Machine: Pogačar’s Growth
Beyond the numbers and podiums, there’s been a noticeable shift in Pogačar’s demeanor. Gone is the impulsive 21-year-old who surprised the world in 2020. Today’s Pogačar is calculated, mature, yet still retains the infectious charm that’s made him a fan favorite.
“He’s grown,” said Adam Yates. “He knows when to go, when to hold back. That was the difference this year — patience.”
Pogačar agrees. “I used to attack just because it felt right. Now I ask myself: What will this do to Jonas? What will it cost me tomorrow? That’s what changed.”
What’s Next: Five Tours in Sight?
With four Tour titles now in the bag, the question echoes louder than ever: can Pogačar match Merckx, Hinault, and Indurain with five wins?
“It’s tempting,” he admits. “But I don’t want to chase numbers. I want to chase feelings. The feeling of flying up Alpe d’Huez, the joy of winning in yellow — that’s what keeps me going.”
Before that, he’s eyeing the Vuelta a España in September. If he wins, he’ll become the first rider since Froome in 2017 to complete the Tour-Vuelta double. And beyond that? The 2026 Olympics in Los Angeles are already on his radar.
The Legacy in Motion
Tadej Pogačar is no longer a young phenom. He’s now the central pillar of a golden era in cycling. His rivalry with Vingegaard has redefined the sport, igniting global interest and inspiring a new generation.
But in 2025, there was no rivalry — just one ruler.
The way he dismantled his competition, the grace with which he carried the yellow jersey, and the humility with which he celebrated — all of it paints a picture not just of a great cyclist but of a true champion.
As we look back on this Tour, one truth resonates louder than the roar on the Champs-Élysées:
Tadej Pogačar has reclaimed his crown. And this time, he’s wearing it like he was born to rule.
Follow for more exclusive interviews, data breakdowns, and upcoming Grand Tour previews.
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