Pogačar Sets Multiple Tour de France Records in 2026 Victory
Tadej Pogačar won his fifth Tour de France, becoming the youngest rider to do so and establishing new records on Alpe d’Huez and the Tourmalet, while the race posted its fastest overall time.
Tadej Pogačar claimed his fifth Tour de France title on Sunday, finishing more than six minutes ahead of Remco Evenepoel and winning five stages. At 27 years, 10 months and 5 days old, he became the youngest rider to secure five victories, surpassing Eddy Merckx’s previous age record. Pogačar also set a new benchmark with seven consecutive podium finishes, the longest streak in the race’s history, and completed the Tour in a record 73 hours, 56 minutes and 26 seconds, averaging 43.326 km/h.
On stage 19, Pogačar broke Marco Pantani’s 29-year-old Alpe d’Huez record, climbing the iconic ascent in 35 minutes and 27 seconds. Earlier, on stage six, he posted the fastest time up the Col du Tourmalet at 43 minutes and 12 seconds, improving on his own 2023 mark. After the Tourmalet stage, he said he was "really, really excited for today" and noted the team’s high morale.
Despite his achievements, Pogačar has not yet matched the record for most days in the yellow jersey. He has worn the maillot jaune 71 times, trailing Bernard Hinault’s 79 and Eddy Merckx’s 111 days. To equal Merckx’s mark, he would need to spend roughly 40 more stages in yellow.
"I don’t like clubbing, so let’s aim to get out of this club," Pogačar joked when asked about his new record after the final stage in Paris.
The 2026 edition also featured the fastest stage in Tour history, with Søren Wærenskjold averaging 50.9 km/h on stage 11.