The Century Man: Tadej Pogačar's Historic Tour de France Victory
The cycling world is abuzz, and rightly so, as Tadej Pogačar has once again etched his name into the annals of sporting history. His recent triumph at the Tour de France not only marks another majestic Grand Tour victory but also signifies a monumental milestone: his 100th professional career win. At just 26 years old, "Pogi" is not merely winning races; he's redefining what's possible in modern cycling, drawing comparisons to the sport's greatest ever protagonists.
The 100th win itself came in spectacular fashion during Stage 4 of the 2025 Tour de France in Rouen. In a thrilling sprint finish, Pogačar, wearing the rainbow jersey of World Champion, outdueled Mathieu Van der Poel and his fierce rival Jonas Vingegaard. It was a testament to his all-round ability, proving that he's not just a formidable climber and time trialist, but also possesses a potent punch in the finale. The fact that he achieved this century mark on the biggest stage of them all, while already leading the race, speaks volumes about his insatiable hunger for victory.
Check out our selection of Tour de France cycling gifts here.
Pogačar vs. The Pantheon: How Does He Stack Up?
With 100 professional wins already under his belt, including multiple Grand Tours (three Tour de France titles and a Giro d'Italia), and an impressive haul of Monuments (two Tour of Flanders, three Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and four Giro di Lombardia), Pogačar's palmarès at 26 is truly astounding. This level of success, particularly across diverse terrains and race formats, inevitably invites comparisons to the sport's historical giants.
The most common and perhaps fitting comparison is to Eddy Merckx, "The Cannibal." Merckx's career total of 279 wins is a staggering benchmark, a testament to his unparalleled dominance. Like Merckx, Pogačar exhibits an aggressive, all-or-nothing racing style, and a desire to win every race he enters, regardless of its perceived importance. Both possess the rare combination of Grand Tour prowess and Classics-winning power. While the sheer volume of Merckx's victories is a different beast, Pogačar's win rate and versatility at such a young age put him in a similar trajectory.
Another legend often cited is Bernard Hinault, a five-time Tour de France winner known for his fierce competitiveness. Pogačar shares Hinault's fighting spirit and tactical astuteness, always looking for opportunities to attack and put his rivals on the back foot.
When it comes to his contemporary rivals, the rivalry with Jonas Vingegaard has defined recent Tours de France. Their battles have been epic, with both riders pushing each other to their absolute limits. While Vingegaard has proven to be a formidable Grand Tour specialist, Pogačar's broader success across various race types sets him apart in terms of overall versatility. The stat that Pogačar has beaten Vingegaard in 68.9% of their head-to-head races further underscores his consistent top-tier performances.
Can He Surpass the Record?
Surpassing Eddy Merckx's all-time record of 279 professional wins is an monumental task, one that few believe is truly attainable in modern cycling. The landscape of the sport has changed dramatically, with more specialized riders and a much more demanding calendar.
However, Pogačar's current trajectory suggests he's certainly capable of reaching higher echelons on the all-time wins list. He's already made it to the top 25, alongside legends like Costante Girardengo. If he remains healthy and motivated, surpassing Mark Cavendish's impressive 165 wins for the second spot on the all-time list seems a distinct possibility over the coming years, as does his pursuit of the record for most Tour de France victories. With three already to his name (2020, 2021, 2024), he is now halfway to the record of five held by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain. At 26, he has many prime years ahead of him, and this year's Tour de France is another golden opportunity to add to his tally. If he clinches this Tour, he'll be just one shy of joining that exclusive five-time club.
Tadej Pogačar is a generational talent, a rider who embodies the thrill and excitement of cycling. His 100th professional win is a landmark achievement, and as he continues to push the boundaries of what's possible, the cycling world watches with bated breath to see just how many more records he will rewrite.