In a breathtaking performance, rookie Tadej Pogacar won the Tour de France in September 2020, becoming the first Slovenian to win the famous race. Winning the coveted race on the eve of his 22nd birthday, Pogacar also became the second youngest winner ever and the youngest winner of the race since 1904.
The youngest winner of the race is Henri Cornet, who won the race in 1904, when he was just short of his 20th birthday.
Pogacar’s victory was remarkable also because he sealed his triumph with a fantastic performance in the mountain time trial on the penultimate stage before the finish in Paris, edging past his Slovenian countryman and long-time leader Primoz Roglic, who held the yellow jersey for 11 days.
After winning the race that ended on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, he said, “This is incredible, standing here in Paris on the top step of the podium.”
“I never thought I would be here. It’s been an amazing three-week adventure. I cannot describe how I am feeling right now.”
Pogacar’s UAE Emirates team was awarded a whopping 623,930 euros, ($738,798) thanks to his stupendous victory.
Primoz Roglic came in second and Australia’s Richie Porte came third while the final stage was won by Ireland’s Sam Bennett.
Pogacar and Rohglic’s 1-2 victory is the first for one country since British riders Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome also took the top spots at the 2012 edition of the Tour de France.
Delayed by a couple of months due to the coronavirus pandemic, the race started off with stringent health protocols in Nice and many doubted whether it would be completed successfully.
