REIGNING Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar secured his 100th professional victory in spectacular fashion on Tuesday (Wednesday, July 9, 2025, PH time), narrowly defeating Mathieu Van der Poel in a fierce sprint during the hilly fourth stage.
This milestone further solidifies Pogačar’s status as a cycling superstar.
The stage featured a captivating duel. Van der Poel, who had bested Pogačar in Sunday’s second stage, seemed set for another win. With about 200 meters left, he launched a decisive attack and took the lead.
However, Pogačar, displaying sheer determination, found an extra gear, surging past Van der Poel right at the line and celebrating with pumped fists.
Afterward, the 26-year-old Slovenian wore a cap marked “100,” commemorating his remarkable achievement. His extensive list of wins includes 18 Tour de France stage victories, a world road race title, numerous one-day classics, and other prestigious stage race victories like the Giro d’Italia.
Pogačar expressed his joy, stating, “It was an amazing finale... I’m very happy to have won the 100th victory (overall) of my career, here on the Tour de France wearing the world champion’s jersey.”
Despite Pogačar’s win, he and Van der Poel hold the exact same overall time of 16 hours, 46 minutes after four stages, with one stage win each.
Van der Poel retains the coveted yellow jersey due to better finishing positions in other stages. Van der Poel conceded, “I would liked to have won but Tadej was the strongest today. I am glad to keep the yellow jersey, but tomorrow will be hard. I tried to launch my sprint but I just didn’t have the legs.”
The 174-kilometer stage, ideal for all-rounders, began in Amiens and ended in Rouen, featuring five consecutive small climbs. The peloton significantly upped its pace on the final two ascents, hitting 60 kph (37 mph).
Pogačar attacked on the last climb, Rampe Saint-Hilaire, initially dropping rival Jonas Vingegaard, who quickly recovered.
As the leaders turned for home, Van der Poel unleashed a characteristic attack, but this time, Pogačar reversed their previous sprint roles, securing his 18th career Tour de France stage win. Vingegaard finished third.
Riders welcomed dry weather after Sunday’s rain and Monday’s crash-marred third stage. In that incident, Belgian cyclist Jasper Philipsen, Stage 1 winner, retired after breaking a collarbone in a heavy crash and had successful surgery.
In a controversial move, French rider Bryan Coquard received a yellow card for allegedly causing Philipsen’s fall, meaning another yellow card would lead to his expulsion.
The sanction drew criticism, as Coquard himself was knocked off balance by another rider and apologized. Cofidis team manager Cédric Vasseur called it an “unjustified penalty,” arguing it was an “unfortunate racing incident.” / From the wires