Pogacar’s rivals must work out how to defeat a champion at the top of his game | William Fotheringham

If ever a cyclist was suited to the intensity of the modern, made-for-TV format of the Tour, it is Tadej PogacarFourth Tour wins are, I once wrote, “more for the record books than the heart … the penultimate step to cycling greatness, [they] often do little to warm the soul at the time”. The past three weeks suggests that nothing has changed. It’s far from the four stages of grief, but you could argue that a first Tour victory is met with surprise and delight, a second admiration, the third respect, the fourth resignation.As Tadej Pogacar’s fourth Tour win approached with the inevitability of a steamroller this week the chief cycling writer at l’Equipe, Alex Roos, grumbled about the Slovene’s lack of joie de vivre. “For the last few days, his sulks, his grumbles, his bad mood have blurred and eaten away at the ambience of the end of this Tour, because how can you get enthusiastic if the Yellow Jersey himself gives the impression of being bored and going through something painful …?” Continue reading...

Comments

Sport news

‘The Lionesses have transformed women’s football – here’s how we continue their work’

Metro

Comments

Similar News

How the new Tadej Pogacar used Tour de France to reach terrifying heights for rivals

Tadej Pogacar dominates Tour de France for his fourth win in six years

‘Enjoy this moment’: Pogacar fights off fatigue to savour Tour de France glory

Tadej Pogacar seals fourth Tour de France crown as Wout van Aert wins stage 21 with stunning solo attack

Tadej Pogacar reigns in Paris after winning Tour de France for fourth time

Tour de France 2025 live: Stage 21 route and updates with Tadej Pogacar set to be crowned in Paris

Kaden Groves clinches first Tour de France stage victory as Tadej Pogacar takes one more step to overall title

Tour de France: Tadej Pogacar poised to seal fourth title as Groves wins penultimate stage

Tour de France 2025 live: Stage 20 route and updates as Tadej Pogacar closes in on fourth yellow jersey

Thymen Arensman holds off Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard onslaught to win shortened stage 19

Tour de France: Arensman pips top guns Pogacar and Vingegaard on stage 19

Arensman wins 19th stage of Tour de France, Pogačar moves closer to title

Tadej Pogacar admits he ‘can’t wait for Tour de France to be over’ as race nears Paris finish

Tour de France 2025 live: Stage 19 route and updates as Jonas Vingegaard faces final reckoning with Tadej Pogacar

Tour de France stage 19 preview: Last chance saloon for Jonas Vingegaard in final Alpine clash with Tadej Pogacar

Ben O’Connor conquers Tour de France queen stage as Tadej Pogacar tightens grip on yellow

Tour de France: O’Connor climbs to stage 18 victory as Pogacar keeps grip on yellow

Tour de France 2025 live: Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard set for almighty tussle on Alpine queen stage

Frenchman Valentin Paret-Peintre wins atop Mont Ventoux as Tadej Pogacar keeps yellow jersey

Paret-Peintre wins Tour de France stage on Mont Ventoux, where Pogačar deals Vingegaard another blow

Sport news

‘The Lionesses have transformed women’s football – here’s how we continue their work’

BBC Sports Personality of the Year odds: Euro 2025 legend Chloe Kelly leaps into contention with penalty heroics

William Saliba warns Premier League rivals over ‘scary’ Arsenal signing

Arsenal XI vs Tottenham: Gyokeres debut, confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for friendly

Manchester United identify new striker target amid transfer fight for Benjamin Sesko

Travis Kelce debuts dramatic haircut at Chiefs training camp: ‘We got the dog back’

Livvy Dunne back on apartment hunt in NYC after Babe Ruth controversy

Ryan McMahon sparks comeback, Yankees beat Phillies 4-3 to end 3-game slide

Rangers strike early, run winning streak to 6 with 8-1 victory over struggling Braves

Liberty's Breanna Stewart avoids significant injury on right leg, AP source says

Andujar, Langeliers homer in 1st, A’s beat Astros 7-1 to complete series sweep

Mike Trout homers to reach 1,000 RBIs as Angels top Mariners 4-1

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri wins Formula 1's Belgian Grand Prix

Euro 2025: Bonmatí says Spain being 'the best team of the tournament' wasn't enough to win trophy

Pirates push Paul Skenes back up to 99 pitches, and he throws 6 more scoreless innings

Singer takes shutout into 8th, Reds beat Rays 2-1 for 4th straight win

Flaherty, Torres help Tigers snap six-game losing streak with 10-4 win over Blue Jays

Mauricio and Soto lead Mets past Giants 5-3 for 7th straight win

Perkins delivers winning hit as Brewers rally to beat Marlins 3-2 and avoid sweep

Bubba Wallace becomes first Black driver to win a major race on Indianapolis' oval

Spanish newspapers react to Lionesses’ Euro 2025 triumph as press hits out at ‘cocky’ Chloe Kelly

Former Australia wicketkeeper takes swipe at Ben Stokes and England over handshake offer

England trophy parade: Route, map and schedule for Euro 2025 victory celebrations

Lionesses party until 4am celebrating Euro 2025 win with champagne and a very special guest

Ben Stokes’ handshake row is a distraction – this England decision will decide India series

Newcastle United transfer news: Benjamin Sesko, Yoane Wissa, Randal Kolo Muani and more

Leah Williamson’s place in England history is clear after defining moment in Euro 2025 final

Rude wash-bag message from boss helped inspire England to Euro glory – Beth Mead

Tottenham transfer news: Morgan Gibbs-White, Joao Palhinha, Eberechi Eze and more

Chelsea transfer news: Xavi Simons, Jorrel Hato, Morgan Rogers, Rodrygo and more

The rare career of Josh Taylor showed the privileged burden that boxing can bring

Kevin Pietersen leaps to Ben Stokes’ defence following fourth Test criticism

Glorious Goodwood racing tips: Best bets and odds for day one

‘One of the best clubs’ – Man Utd target fuels transfer speculation

England hero Chloe Kelly criticised for ‘cocky gesture’ during Euro 2025 final

Joey Barton branded ‘bitter and twisted’ after vile posts about England’s Euro 2025 win

Inside the Lionesses' party as England players celebrate into the early hours after Euros win

Liverpool vs Yokohama FM: Friendly prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

Ballon d’Or? Retirement? SPOTY? What next for England’s history-makers after Euro 2025 glory

Chelsea close in on Jorrel Hato signing with agreement close to continue summer spending spree

Euro 2025 tournament ratings: Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang shine as Lionesses make history

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reveals Viktor Gyokeres plan for potential debut in north London derby against Tottenham

Lionesses hero Lucy Bronze reveals she played the whole of Euro 2025 with a broken leg

Chloe 'clutch' Kelly always delivers in big moments and stacks up to England greats in any sport

Why the Yankees’ malaise makes for a complicated trade deadline week

ATP Toronto: Corentin Moutet vs. Jenson Brooksby odds, prediction

Reinier de Ridder eyes Chimaev vs Du Plessis victor after narrow win over Robert Whittaker

Transfer news live: Arsenal strike Eze agreement, Liverpool want Isak after Diaz exit, Man United learn Watkins verdict

The sweary gift Sarina Wiegman used to inspire Lionesses before Euro 2025 final

Sarina Wiegman hopes impact of England’s Euros win reverberates around the world

England trophy parade: Route, map and schedule for Euro 2025 victory celebrations

‘If that’s not a sign…’ – Ella Toone shares poignant tribute to ‘angel’ dad after Euro 2025 win

Rodrygo: Arsenal and Liverpool get transfer boost as Real Madrid 'set new asking price'

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta provides Riccardo Calafiori injury update after fresh setback

Millie Bright would 'do anything' to join England's Euro 2025 party as Mary Earps sends message to Lionesses

I’m 100 per cent sure I couldn’t make it as a professional golfer – Gareth Bale

Anatomy of a Euro 2025 final penalty shootout and how England claimed glory again