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Tadej Pogačar has dominated the 2024 Tour de France, winning his third Grande Boucle and completing the course in 83 hours, 38 minutes, and 56 seconds at an average speed of 41.817 km/h. The race, which started in Florence and finished in Nice, was historic: the first to start in Italy and the first to not finish in Paris due to preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Pogačar surpassed Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard by 6 minutes and 17 seconds and Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel by 9 minutes and 18 seconds. This victory allowed the Slovenian to join the elite group of riders who have won both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in the same year, an achievement accomplished by only seven other riders before him, including Marco Pantani.
During the Tour, Pogačar won six stages, setting a record of twelve stage victories between the Giro and the Tour in a single calendar year, surpassing the previous record held by Eddy Merckx. His exceptional performance included successes in mountain stages and time trials, showcasing a rare versatility.
The 2024 Tour de France also saw the rise of Biniam Girmay in the points classification. The Eritrean cyclist won the Green Jersey with 387 points, beating Jasper Philipsen by 33 points. Girmay demonstrated consistency and speed, earning crucial points in sprints and intermediate stages.
Richard Carapaz won the Polka Dot Jersey as the best climber, accumulating 153 points. His ability to attack on major climbs was key to his success. Remco Evenepoel dominated the youth classification, securing the White Jersey with a 15-minute and 46-second lead over Carlos Rodríguez. The young Belgian showcased extraordinary talent, proving to be a future star in world cycling.
The Tour's route was demanding, featuring iconic stages such as the one on Col du Galibier and the final time trial from Monte Carlo to Nice. The latter stage saw Pogačar triumph, solidifying his overall victory. The course offered a mix of mountain, flat, and time trial stages, testing the complete skills of the riders.
In the detailed stages, Pogačar demonstrated his superiority at crucial moments:
- Stage 4: Victory at Valloire, reclaiming the Yellow Jersey.
- Stage 14: Triumph at Pla d'Adet, distancing Vingegaard by 39 seconds.
- Stage 15: Success at Plateau de Beille, extending his lead over Vingegaard to 3 minutes and 9 seconds.
The 2024 Tour de France will be remembered for its logistical innovations and the extraordinary performances of Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian champion once again proved to be one of the greatest riders of his generation, capable of dominating on any terrain and setting new historical records, cementing his place in the legend of cycling.
