Yellow, Polka Dots, and Glory: Pogačar Writes Another Chapter in Tour History”
Tadej Pogačar has never been a rider who follows the rules of normal progression. He rewrites them. With a boyish grin and legs of steel, the 26-year-old Slovenian just carved his name deeper into the granite of cycling history. On the Champs-Élysées, beneath grey skies and golden lights, he stood again in yellow — and this time, not just as the general classification leader, but also as the King of the Mountains. The double jersey. The double triumph. And most importantly, a fourth Tour de France title.
It’s a feat that elevates him alongside Chris Froome — and just one shy of the mythical five claimed by legends like Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Induráin, and Jacques Anquetil. But if Pogačar feels the pressure of greatness, he doesn’t show it. “It’s not about the record,” he said. “It’s about the journey. I wanted to enjoy this one — and I really did.”
The Road to Paris: Brutality, Brilliance, and a Bit of Magic
The 2025 Tour de France was billed as one of the hardest in decades — brutal ascents in the Pyrenees, merciless Alpine stretches, and unpredictable weather that made every descent a gamble. For most, survival was the goal. For Pogačar, it was the stage.
He made his intentions known early. On Stage 4, he unleashed a devastating uphill sprint in the Massif Central that left rivals gasping. By Stage 9 in the Jura, he had already stolen yellow, and from there, he never gave it back.
But it was Stage 12 to Hautacam that left fans breathless and headlines screaming. In rain and fog, he powered up the legendary climb like it was a time trial, distancing rivals like Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and Carlos Rodríguez. By the summit, he was a minute clear — and by the end of the day, the Tour was his to lose.
Then came Col de la Loze and Col de la Madeleine, where he shattered existing Strava records and expectations. The boy from Komenda now ruled the French mountains.
“It felt like I was flying,” he said later. “But it’s not just me. The team did everything right. They protected me, delivered me fresh, and made it all possible.
Yellow and Polka Dots: The Double Crown
Only a select few have worn both the yellow and polka-dot jerseys at once. It’s the mark of an all-around master — someone who can sprint with the best, time trial like a machine, and dance up the mountains with a climber’s grace. Pogačar’s 2025 performance ticked every box.
While other GC contenders managed isolated moments of brilliance, none matched his consistency. He collected mountain points like trophies, surging ahead on nearly every HC climb and even contesting medium-mountain sprints — often just for the thrill.
By the time the race hit Paris, he had both jerseys secured. Yellow for overall victory. Polka dots for best climber. Two symbols. One rider.
“I Wanted to Race With Joy”
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Pogačar’s 2025 Tour was how happy he looked. Even in the grueling mountain stages, he rode with a visible joy — waving to fans, smiling at the cameras, and speaking with lightness in post-stage interviews.
“Last year was hard mentally,” he admitted. “I tried to do too much. I got burned out. This year, I told myself: win or lose, I have to race with joy.”
And he did. His attack on Montmartre — during a stage where the GC was already neutralized — was pure theatre. A reminder that for Pogačar, racing is art. The fans loved it. Social media exploded. And even rivals like Vingegaard were smiling after the finish.
“Sometimes he just makes you shake your head,” said Tom Pidcock. “Like, ‘How did he do that?’ But then you realize — it’s just Pog. That’s what he does.”
What Comes Next? Burnout or Brilliance?
Now the world watches and waits. At 26, Pogačar has accomplished what many dream of in a lifetime. But how much further can he go?
He hinted at the World Championships in Kigali, a course that favors climbers and puncheurs like him. The Vuelta a España is also on the table — though he admitted he needs to speak with UAE Team Emirates first.
“There’s a risk of burnout,” he said plainly. “I love this sport, but I’ve learned I can’t do everything. I need to rest, recover, and come back fresh.”
That maturity — rare for someone his age — is part of what makes Pogačar so compelling. He’s not just a physical freak. He’s smart. Strategic. And emotionally aware.
A Star Beyond Stats
Numbers tell part of the story — 4 Tours, 3 polka-dot jerseys, 2 Monuments, countless stage wins — but they miss the essence. Pogačar isn’t just a champion. He’s a character. A throwback to the days when riders raced with their hearts and made decisions on feel.
He jokes with journalists. Signs autographs for hours. Shares selfies with fans. Cracks jokes with teammates in the middle of mountain stages. In a sport often dominated by controlled watts and marginal gains, Pogačar rides without.
The Final Word: Glory, Gratitude, and Legacy
As the Slovenian national anthem played on the Champs-Élysées, Pogačar stood tall — not just in stature, but in spirit. He waved to the crowds, kissed his girlfriend Urska, hugged his teammates, and offered a simple message:
> “Thank you to everyone who believed in me. Thank you to those who didn’t, too — you made me stronger. This Tour wasn’t just for me. It was for the joy of racing. And that’s something I’ll never stop chasing.”
Yellow. Polka dots. And a whole lot of glory.
Tadej Pogačar’s Tour de France 2025 wasn’t just another victory — it was
a statement. A masterpiece. And a promise that the best may still be yet to come.
