NICE, France — Tadej Pogačar won the Tour de France for the third time and celebrated in style with a victory in Sunday’s final stage — a time trial ending in Nice.

The 25-year-old Slovenian rider became the first cyclist to secure the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in the same year since the late Marco Pantani in 1998.

Two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark was second overall. He also finished the stage in second place.

Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar has secured his third Tour de France victory with a stunning performance in the final time trial of the race. The 23-year-old rider, who won his first Tour de France in 2020 and his second in 2021, once again proved himself to be one of the best in the world with a dominant display on the penultimate stage of the race.

Pogacar started the time trial with a comfortable lead over his closest rivals, but he didn’t take any chances and put in a blistering ride to extend his advantage even further. He completed the 30.8-kilometer course in a time of 35 minutes and 32 seconds, beating his nearest competitor by over a minute.

This victory cements Pogacar’s status as one of the most dominant riders in the sport, and he now joins an elite group of cyclists who have won three or more Tour de France titles. His performance in this year’s race was nothing short of exceptional, as he showed both his climbing abilities in the mountains and his time trial prowess in the final stage.

Pogacar’s victory is also a testament to his team, UAE Team Emirates, who provided him with excellent support throughout the race. From his teammates helping him navigate through the peloton to his coaches and support staff ensuring he was in peak condition, every member of the team played a crucial role in his success.

As Pogacar stood on the podium in Paris, wearing the coveted yellow jersey for the third time in his young career, it was clear that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of cycling. With his talent, determination, and unwavering focus, there is no doubt that Tadej Pogacar will continue to be a dominant force in the sport for years to come.