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Tadej Pogacar (Photo by Christophe Ena – Pool / Getty Images)
Slovenian rookie Tadej pogacar he won Tour de France on Sunday, riding triumphantly to Paris in the race leader’s yellow jersey at just 21 years old.
Pogacar became the youngest Tour champion since 1904 when Irishman Sam Bennett won the 21st and final stage after racing eight laps around the iconic Champs Elysees to claim the green sprint points jersey.
The champion took the podium as the sun set behind the Arc de Triomphe to collect the best climber’s jersey, the prize of the young white top rider and finally the famous yellow jersey of the Tour winner.
“I can’t find the words to thank everyone, but these three weeks in which the fans cheered me on all the time have been incredible,” said Pogacar.
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, stood next to the Slovenian president, Borut Pahor, as Pogacar unfurled his national flag and placed it on his shoulders.
Race leader Primoz Roglic finished second, while Australian Richie Porte came third.
Pogacar’s UAE Emirates team pocketed 623,930 euros ($ 738,798) thanks to their victory.
Dressed in green, Bennett lifted his bike after the race, earning him his second stage victory.
“It was very difficult, but it was worth it, I still can’t believe it,” said the great sprinter after beating seven-time winner Peter Sagan in the green jersey.
The Tour will be remembered forever for a dramatic turnaround at the last gasp when Pogacar took over the overall lead when rival Roglic collapsed on the mountain on the penultimate day.
This historic edition of the centennial race full of emotions and spills will be equally remembered for overcoming the dark shadow of Covid-19.
Starting two months late due to the global pandemic, the race started under strict health guidelines in Nice with doubts that it would reach Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron is credited with giving the green light for a rescheduled event to take place with many virus protocols.
But after 3,400 kilometers of intense running, the remaining 146 runners embarked on Sunday for a winners parade until the disputed sprint in Paris.
The race was a triumph for the organization after receiving late clearance to host the event, though only 5,000 fans lined up at Sunday’s finish line due to health protocol.
The Dutch team Jumbo-Visma dominated the 2020 race with their yellow and black jerseys always grouped at the head of the race, as they outscored everyone until the last crucial day.
Winners of the last five editions, the British team Ineos also had a Tour that they can regret.
They put their faith in defending champion Egan Bernal, but despite spending a week in the white jersey, he struggled to prevail, without perhaps the wisdom and experience of Geraint Thomas or Chris Froome. He lost more than seven minutes on stage 15 and retired the next day.
Team principal and expansive thinker Dave Brailsford reoriented the team, resulting in a stage win for Michael Kwiatkowski in the Alps, but Ineos will be licking his wounds when they leave France.
As for the climbers, Pogacar, who also wears the polka dot jersey, does not play.
There was a sudden focus on Slovenia, a nation of just two million, when Roglic and Pogacar contested the overall victory.
Race director Christian Prudhomme was red-faced when he was sent home mid-race when he tested positive after the first week.
But you will also receive applause for this Tour and the colossal force of will it took to carry it out without further incident.
