Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates) became the second-youngest Tour winner of all-time, second only to Henri Cornet who won in 1922. He proved to be a fantastic climber over the last three weeks but it was the time trial that won him the race. He put a scary 1-56 into Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) and has beaten everyone, including TT specialists such as Tom Dumoulin (Jumbo-Visma) and Richie Porte (Trek Segafredo).
His impressive run up the Planche des Belles Filles was even enough to take the mountains classification ahead of Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers). That means that Tadej Pogačar won the yellow, white and polka-dot jersey, all on his first-ever Tour de France.
“I think I’m dreaming, I don’t know what to say,” Pogačar said after the finish of stage 20.
He wasn’t dreaming and he carried the yellow onto the Champs-Élysées and across the finish line with a big smile on his face.
Meanwhile at Jumbo-Visma, they too must have thought they were dreaming. Only it was a nightmare. Primož Roglič didn’t show any weakness in the past three weeks, yet suddenly fell apart on the last hurdle between him and glory in Paris.
“It’s true I didn’t have the best day, today he was a lot better,” Roglič said “He was in a different world to me, he really deserved his win, congrats. For me, I gave everything I had, that was all. For sure I’m disappointed with the result but on the other hand, I can be proud of my second place.”
Truly it is nothing to be ashamed of. And as one of the many fans watching this year’s Tour, I have to say “thank you”. This was one marvellous Tour de France.
General classification
1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates)
2. Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) + 59s
3. Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) + 3:30
4. Mikel Landa (Bahrain-McLaren) + 5:58
5. Enric Mas (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) + 6:07
6. Miguel Ángel López (Astana) + 6:47
7. Tom Dumoulin (Jumbo-Visma) + 7:48
8. Rigoberto Urán (EF Pro Cycling) + 8:02
9. Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) + 9:25
10. Damiano Caruso (Bahrain-McLaren) + 14:03
