Tadej Pogacar has just pulled off something truly legendary! 🚀 On Sunday, he became the first cyclist since 1998 to win both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in the same year. That's right, folks—he's made history with this epic double victory! 🎉🚴♂️
The Slovenian superstar didn't just win; he dominated! He claimed his third Tour title by crushing the competition in the final stage, making it his sixth stage win in this Tour. Talk about leaving everyone in the dust! 🌪️
Pogacar beat out defending champion Jonas Vingegaard from Denmark and Belgium's rising star Remco Evenepoel, who finished second and third overall. With a whopping winning margin of six minutes and 17 seconds, it's clear Pogacar was in a league of his own. 🏁🔝
\"I'm super happy, I cannot describe how happy I am after two hard years in the Tour de France, always some mistakes and this year, everything to perfection,\" Pogacar said. 💬❤️
The final stage was an individual time trial from Monaco to Nice, spanning 33.7 kilometers. Pogacar flew through it in just 45 minutes and 24 seconds, leaving his rivals over a minute behind! ⏱️🔥 Even though he could've played it safe with his commanding lead, he went all out to secure his third consecutive stage win. That's the spirit! 💪
There were other heroes too! 🇪🇷 Eritrea's own Biniam Girmay snagged the green jersey for the points classification, making his mark in cycling history. 🇪🇨 Ecuador's Richard Carapaz took home the polka dot jersey for the mountains classification. Way to go, guys! 🎉
Pogacar's team, UAE Team Emirates, also clinched the team classification, while Evenepoel, in his first Tour, grabbed the white jersey as the best young rider. Future champions in the making! 🌟
This year's Tour was special for so many reasons. It finished outside Paris for the first time in its 121-year history due to the upcoming Olympic Games. And ending with a time trial? That's a throwback to 1989 when Greg LeMond famously overtook Laurent Fignon on the final day. Nostalgia vibes! 🎞️
Pogacar's journey was nothing short of a blockbuster movie. 🎬 He led since stage four, extended his gap by winning stages 14 and 15, and then sealed the deal with back-to-back victories on stages 19 and 20. Total domination! 👑
As for Vingegaard, he showed true grit. After recovering from a collapsed lung and fractured rib earlier this year, he didn't win the Tour but managed a stage victory and secured second place overall. Respect! 🙌
Evenepoel also put up a valiant effort, especially in the time trials. But Pogacar was unstoppable, showcasing why he's a force to be reckoned with in the cycling world. 🚴♂️🌟
This epic double hasn't been achieved since the late Marco Pantani did it, and Pogacar now becomes only the eighth rider ever to pull it off. Legend status unlocked! 🏆✨
\"I think this is the first Grand Tour where I was totally confident every day, even in the Giro I remember I had one bad day I won't tell which one,\" Pogacar shared with a grin. \"This year's Tour de France was just amazing and I was enjoying it since day one until today.\" 😊
What a ride! Can't wait to see what Pogacar and the rest of these incredible athletes do next. Until then, keep pedaling towards your dreams! 🚴♂️💨✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
