Imperious Pogacar wins Tour de France for fourth time

The Slovenian has now won the Tour four times in six years and finished runner-up twice

Despite the rain, tens of thousands of spectators packed Montmartre to follow Pogacar’s progress through the narrow streets of the popular tourist spot

AFP PARIS: Tadej Pogacar completed a supreme performance to win the Tour de France in a rainy Paris on Sunday, crushing his rivals to collect a fourth title.

Wout van Aert triumphed in the final-day cliffhanger around Montmartre, but Pogacar was spared any late challenge to his overall lead when the weather forced organizers to neutralize times to avoid accidents on the slippery cobbled roads.

However, Pogacar more than played his part in a thrilling finale before Belgian rider Van Aert pulled away on the last climb.

“I was really happy they neutralized the times of the GC (general classification),” Pogacar said. “Then it was more relaxed to race and you just had to have good legs to be in front. I tried but hats off to Wout, he was incredibly strong. It was a really nice race.”

The Slovenian has now won the Tour four times in six years and finished runner-up twice.

“It’s six years in a row on the podium and this one feels especially amazing,” he said.

Second-placed Jonas Vingegaard was unable to contend with Pogacar, but the winner paid tribute to the Dane.

“I spoke to Jonas today. We’ve been racing each other for five years now and we have raised each other to a higher level,” he said.

Despite the rain, tens of thousands of spectators packed Montmartre to follow Pogacar’s progress through the narrow streets of the popular tourist spot.

He played to the delighted crowds by racing to the head of the peloton near the Moulin Rouge cabaret at the foot of the climb before Van