Slovenia's cycling superstar claims his 25th Tour stage win

Slovenia's cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar has achieved a 25th career stage success in the Tour de France to further increase his lead in the general classification.

There is talk that the reigning world champion may compete in this year's Vuelta a Espana, too, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

Even before the finish line, stage 14 of this year's Tour got the name Tadej Pogačar written all over it, and the Slovenian left nothing to chance, measuring his effort well.

He launched his devastating attack 1.6 kilometres from the summit of the Col du Haag and with some seven kilometres to go. He quickly opened up a few bike lengths of an advantage ahead of a group of other favourites, and giving a full-on effort, he then extended the gap across the plateau to the finish.

Up to his decisive move, his UAE Team Emirates XRG had been in control of the stage, and in the end it was a 1-2 finish for the squad, with Mexican Isaac del Toro finishing second. He beat France's Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) in the sprint for the runner-up spot.

The latest victory marks Pogačar's fourth Tour stage win this year, and he is now 4 minutes and 30 seconds ahead of the second-placed rider in the general classification, the Dane Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).

"I wanted to get as many [extra] seconds as possible; you never know when a bad day happens if it happens at all," Pogačar told TV Slovenija, praising his team for doing an excellent job.

The 155km stage featured 3,800 metres of elevation gain on the route from Mulhouse to Le Markstein. In 2023, Pogačar won a Tour stage that also finished in Le Markstein, but the route was not the same as today's. He had to concede the overall victory to Vingegaard that year, but this year the situation is again looking vastly different, with the Slovenian firmly in the lead.

Pogi, as he is known to the fans, is chasing a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title. He has 125 career wins in total, of which he claimed as many as 17 this year alone.

Pogi eyeing record for most Tour stage wins

Having claimed his 25th Tour stage win, he now shares the fourth place on the all-time ranking with the Frenchman Andre Leducq. The retired British sprinter Mark Cavendish has the record for most wins with 35 victories.

"Every victory is something special. Everyone wants to win eventually, and I have 25 wins and nothing to complain about," Pogačar told TV Slovenija, adding that he might be eyeing Cavendish's record a little bit.

Talking to the Tour organisers, the 27-year-old lauded the atmosphere the fans created alongside the road.

"All the riders, we all have such massive respect for each other, and I think we all put on a great show. It's nice to see this kind of racing."

Vuelta appearance seems likely

There have been speculations that Pogačar may compete in this year's Vuelta a Espana, the only Grand Tour that he has yet to win.

Prince Albert of Monaco told the media that the Slovenian said he would be at the start of the race, which will begin in Monaco, where Pogačar resides, on 22 August. When asked about this recently, Pogačar playfully said: "Well, if the prince said it, then there's a high chance."

The only previous time he competed in the Spanish Grand Tour was in 2019, when he finished third overall.

According to UAE Team Emirates XRG boss Mauro Gianetti, a decision on Pogačar's involvement in the Vuelta will be made once the Tour has finished.

Photo Instagram/tadejpogacar