‘Incredibly proud’ Pogacar wins record equalling fifth Tour de France

Tadej Pogacar ticked off a “big goal” as he claimed his record-equalling fifth Tour de France title as Mathieu van der Poel won a sensational 21st and final stage around Paris on Sunday.

Two-time world champion Pogacar joined Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain as the most successful riders in Tour history.

“I’m really incredibly proud to be a fifth time winner of the biggest race in the world,” Pogacar told France Televisions.

“It was a big goal to get five and, I’m not going to lie, it’s one goal achieved.”

Pogacar had all but secured his historic title during the previous two mountain stages that finished on the iconic Alpe d’Huez climb.

The 27-year-old Slovenian won five stages and had been in yellow since his victory in the Pyrenean sixth stage.

He now has 26 stage victories in total, putting him fourth in the all-time list behind only Mark Cavendish (35), Merckx (34) and Hinault (28).