Tour de France 2024: Tadej Pogačar Wins Third Title

Tadej Pogačar emerged as the general classification champion in the 2024 Tour de France. This marks his third triumph following his wins in 2020 and 2021. Pogačar secured victory by claiming six stages, including a remarkable streak of winning the last three stages.

Pogačar’s Team Emirates clinched the team classification. Biniam Girmay secured the points classification and triumphed in three stages, while Richard Carapaz claimed the mountains classification and the overall combativity award. Remco Evenepoel emerged victorious in the young rider classification.

Mark Cavendish claimed victory in the fifth stage, securing his 35th stage win at the Tour de France, surpassing the previous record of 34 stage wins held by Eddy Merckx.

Tadej Pogačar’s Victory in the Final Day’s Time Trial

Tadej Pogačar, the 25-year-old Slovenian, triumphed in the final day’s time trial. Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard finished second, 1 minute and 3 seconds behind, securing the runner-up spot, overall. Remco Evenepoelcame in third on the day and third overall. 

The UAE Team Emirates rider’s remarkable achievement included winning six stages in this year’s Tour de France, matching his success in the 2024 Giro d’Italia, which he convincingly won by a margin of 9 minutes and 56 seconds.

Pogačar had a commanding performance in this year’s Tour de France, achieving a milestone by winning six stages in a single edition, a feat not seen since Mark Cavendish accomplished it in 2009. Gino Bartali was the first man to win five mountain stages in a single Tour in 1948.

On Day 4 of the race, as the Tour de France transitioned from Italy to France through the Alps, Pogačar surged ahead to claim the overall lead. When the race circled back to the Alps, Pogačar had built a substantial three-minute advantage, while defending champion Vingegaard faced challenges stemming from a significant crash he had experienced in March. He held the yellow jersey for a total of 19 days, maintaining his grip on it from stage four onwards.

After the Queen stage on day 19, Pogačar’s victory became certain, prompting Vingegaard and his team to shift their focus towards securing second place. Despite Vingegaard’s strong start in the final time trial, he ultimately finished significantly behind Pogačar. 

He achieved a rare feat by becoming the first male rider in 26 years to win both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France in the same season, following in the footsteps of Marco Pantani. He joined the exclusive club of riders who have won both the pink jersey at the Giro d’Italia and the yellow jersey at the Tour de France in the same season, becoming the seventh rider to achieve this remarkable feat.

He would not participate in this year’s Vuelta a Espana, where he had the opportunity to make history by potentially becoming the first rider ever to win all three Grand Tours in the same calendar year.

Pogačar is set to compete for Slovenia in the men’s road race at the Olympics in Paris on August 3.

Remco Evenepoel’s Rollercoaster Ride of Triumphs and Tears

Remco Evenepoel, who was considered the favorite before the race, settled for third place and showed visible emotion at the finish line. The 24-year-old rider made his Tour de France debut this year. Additionally, Evenepoel not only earned the prestigious yellow jersey but also triumphed in the first time trial during week two and claimed the white jersey for the best young rider. He became the first-ever Belgian rider to win the white jersey.

Biniam Girmay’s Landmark Achievement in Cycling

Another notable performance came from Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay, who won three stages, secured the sprint points green jersey, and became a national hero in his home country.

Girmay narrowly outperformed Jasper Philipsen, the 2023 sprint champion, by winning three stages. Despite Philipsen’s strong performance, Girmay achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first rider of African descent to win the points classification in the Tour de France.

Richard Carapaz’s Battle for the Polka Dot Jersey

Olympic champion Richard Carapaz was acknowledged as the most aggressive rider of the 2024 Tour. He secured a stage victory, briefly wore the yellow jersey, and contended for the polka dot best climber’s jersey on the penultimate day. Carapaz made history as the first Ecuadorian to secure a jersey in the Tour de France.

A Legend’s Farewell: Mark Cavendish’s Potential Final Tour de France

Mark Cavendish achieved a historic milestone by winning his 35th stage, surpassing Belgian Eddy Merckx’s long-standing record. This record was previously equaled by Cavendish in 2021. Cavendish has indicated that this year’s Tour de France is probably his final race. Cavendish, who claimed his inaugural Tour de France stage win in 2008, has had a remarkable career as a sprinter, excelling in securing victories on the flatter and quicker stages of races, notably in the Grand Tours.

Last year was expected to mark his 14th and ultimate Tour de France appearance, but he postponed his retirement and extended his contract with the Astana-Qazaqstan Team until the conclusion of the 2024 season.

The 39-year-old has established himself as the Tour de France’s premier sprinter, claiming victory in the green points classification jersey twice, in 2011 and 2021. Since 2005, he has claimed victory in a total of 165 races and has secured the points classification in all three Grand Tours.

Final General Classification Standings for the Tour de France 2024