Slim hopes: Will anyone deny Pogacar fifth Tour title?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Tadej Pogacar has won the Tour de France in 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025ByElla Gibbs, BBC Sport journalist and Matt Warwick, BBC Sport Senior JournalistPublished33 minutes agoThe world’s greatest cyclist sets off on Saturday on a journey he believes can lead him to history in the 113th Tour de France.Tadej Pogacar could let his cycling do all the talking for the next three weeks. But his style extends beyond his form on the bike.A recent new haircut has drawn comparisons with a legend of rap music rather than cycling.His bleached crop means Pogacar now has the look of Eminem – the self-styled ‘Slim Shady’ – and it caused as much of a buzz as the special bikes and jerseys on show in Barcelona, where the race begins.It was a sideshow in the grand scheme of things though, because sporting immortality is on the line.Victory in Paris on 26 July would move the 27-year-old Slovenian level with the most successful Tour winners – five-time champions Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil and Miguel Indurain.Who can stop him?Yellow jersey contenders Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Pogacar won the triple crown of cycling in 2024: Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and the Road World Championships road raceConsisting of punishing mountain ascents, high‑speed Alpine descents, and explosive sprint finishes, the 2026 Tour features 21 stages from Barcelona to Paris. The start will mark the 27th occasion the race has begun outside France as the world’s elite riders target the race leader’s yellow jersey.Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) is the clear favourite because of his versatility to dominate each race discipline, especially his power on mountain stages, and speed in individual time trials. He has been on form all season, most recently winning the Tour de Suisse in June.
Jonas Vingegaard is Pogacar’s long-time rival and a credible challenger this year. The 29-year-old Dane will be targeting his third Tour de France title after wins in 2022 and 2023.
Vingegaard, of Visma-Lease a Bike, has had a few tough years, with injury setbacks along the way, but his form has returned and he recently triumphed in the three-week Giro d’Italia by more than five minutes.
Isaac del Toro is continually in the conversation despite racing for the same team as Pogacar, and he can point to victories at the UAE Tour and Tirreno-Adriatico this year. The Mexican will be a strong domestique, a supportive rider to Pogacar on his quest, but could finish in a top-three spot himself.
French debutant Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) and Belgian Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) are also in contention given their recent form. Seixas, only 19, will be France’s next hope of producing a winner on the Tour, as the wait enters its fourth decade.
