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7 sources·Started 21d ago·Updated 1d ago
Pogačar wins fifth Tour de France as wildfires shorten final stage
Tadej PogačarTour de FranceRemco EvenepoelIsaac Del ToroJonas VingegaardMathieu van der PoelGironde wildfiresSøren Wærenskjold
Sources
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Coverage
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The 113th Tour de France concluded on July 26, 2026, with Tadej Pogačar securing his fifth overall victory, joining cycling legends Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin as the most successful riders in the race's history Source: NPR. The final stage was shortened from 133 km to 89 km after security personnel were redeployed to combat wildfires raging in southwestern France, particularly in the Gironde region near Bordeaux Source: Al Jazeera.
Stage changes
The original route from Thoiry to Paris was altered; riders began with two laps on the Champs-Élysées, then completed the Montmartre hill circuit before finishing on the famous avenue Source: euronews. The Amaury Sport Organisation stated the change was made "in a spirit of national solidarity" with affected areas Source: DW News. More than 267,000 people were evacuated from wildfire zones, and Bordeaux airport was closed Source: Al Jazeera.
Key moments and other events
- Pogačar's dominance: He finished with a lead of 6 minutes 26 seconds over Remco Evenepoel, and his teammate Isaac del Toro (third) became the first Mexican in 36 years to win a Tour stage (Stage 2) Source: Mexico News Daily.
- Crashes and abandonments: Two-time champion Jonas Vingegaard crashed out on Stage 15 with a fractured collarbone Source: AP News. Earlier, Einer Rubio withdrew after a crash on Alpe d'Huez Source: CNA.
- Fastest stage: Norway's Søren Wærenskjold won the 11th stage at an average speed of 50.91 km/h, the fastest road stage in Tour history Source: Al Jazeera.
- Final stage winner: Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel won Stage 21 Source: NPR.
The race faced extreme heat and wildfire threats throughout, with organizers prepared to modify stages if needed Source: euronews.
Story timeline · 5 earlier headlines
- Isaac del Toro wins Tour stage, UAE dominates early21d ago · 6 sources
- Pogacar takes yellow jersey as UAE dominate Tour de France early21d ago · 5 sources
- Historic wins, heat challenges, and crashes define Tour de France17d ago · 4 sources
- Pogacar leads Tour, heat and concussion concerns mount14d ago · 6 sources
- Pogacar closes in on fifth Tour title as wildfires shorten final stage2d ago · 6 sources
- Pogačar wins fifth Tour de France as wildfires shorten final stagecurrent
Sources
8 quotesNPR↗
“With this fifth tour victory, Pogačar became the joint most successful competitor ever in the event, joining Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin.”
Al Jazeera↗
“More than 267,000 people have been forced from their homes by wildfires raging in France and Spain, with Bordeaux airport closed and the French government warning against all road or rail travel to the area.”
euronews↗
“Under the revised route, the start will be given at 17:50. The peloton will complete two extra laps of the Champs-Élysées before tackling the Montmartre hill circuit, then return to the famous Paris avenue for a finish scheduled around 19:45.”
DW News↗
“"In a spirit of national solidarity with the areas and communities affected, it was decided to adapt the route for the final stage from Thoiry to Paris," the Paris police and the event's organizers said in a joint statement.”
AP News↗
“"Jonas sustained a fractured collarbone and multiple abrasions," his Visma–Lease a Bike team said in a statement posted on X.”
Mexico News Daily↗
“Isaac del Toro needed only two stages of his first Tour de France to ride into Mexican sports history.”
Al Jazeera↗
“At an average speed of 50.91km/h (31.63mph), Wednesday’s sprint was the fastest road stage in the 113 editions of the Tour de France.”
NPR↗
“The final stage of the race was won by Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel, in a time of 1 hour, 58 minutes and 49 seconds.”