XRG stormed up the “Bald Mountain,” initiated by rival Jonas Vingegaard’s attack, and still managed to sprint two seconds clear of the Dane at the summit. With this blistering climb, Pogacar smashed the long-standing record of Iban Mayo.

The 26-year-old is well on his way to a fourth Tour de France title, pedaling himself into the rarefied air occupied by the sport’s all-time greats.

Analysis of the latest day's action in the 2025 race - 171km from Montpellier up to the summit of the iconic Mont Ventoux

Job done,” Tadej Pogacar said with satisfaction after the first stage of the third week in the Tour de France. The Slovenian of UAE Team Emirates-XRG was able to respond to all attacks by the eager Jonas Vingegaard and even grabbed two bonus seconds on him in the sprint at the summit.

Yellow jersey Tadej Pogacar could add a fifth stage win to an already-superb Tour de France with victory atop Mont Ventoux today

Valentin Paret-Peintre became the first French winner on this year's Tour de France as he edged an enthralling stage 16 on Tuesday, pipping Ireland's Ben Healy atop the mythical 1910m altitude Mont Ventoux summit finish.

Tadej Pogacar safely completed the seventeenth stage on Wednesday, which was won by sprinter Jonathan Milan, bringing him one day closer to the finish in Paris. Thursday and Friday will be crucial days for the yellow jersey wearer,

The 24-year-old claimed his maiden Tour de France stage victory to become the first French winner of this year’s race