Tadej Pogačar Tour de France Victory: How a Quiet Pre-Stage Collision Became a Turning Point

Tadej Pogačar won the 2025 Tour de France on Sunday, 27 July, in Paris, marking his fourth overall title in cycling's most prestigious event. The Slovenian rider, representing UAE Team Emirates, sealed the win after a commanding three weeks, despite a quiet but surprising collision with a rival team car prior to Stage 18. The incident occurred ahead of a critical mountain stage but did not derail his dominance across the final days of the race.

Pre-Stage Collision Raises Eyebrows But Not Alarms

Shortly before the start of Stage 18, Tadej Pogačar collided with the team car of Visma–Lease a Bike, the squad of his main rival Jonas Vingegaard, while riding to the sign‑on podium in Vif. As reported by Cycling News, Pogačar recounted that 'we crashed into the car', describing the incident as accidental and caused by the Visma car unexpectedly braking in front of him. UAE Team Emirates later clarified that the vehicle's automatic braking system had activated, causing an unexpected stop. Despite the bump, he sustained no injuries and proceeded to defend the yellow jersey into the critical Alpine stages.

Pogačar joked that the car 'maybe wanted to test my brakes', while UAE Team Emirates explained the Visma car's automatic braking caused the unexpected stop. He was uninjured and continued without delay. Though minor, the incident underscored the unpredictable nature of race-day logistics before key Alpine stages.

Calm Under Pressure: Pogačar's Mindset Post-Collision

The 26-year-old rider displayed trademark composure following the crash. Interviewed at the finish line later that day, Pogačar showed no signs of stress or irritation. Instead, he kept a light tone and demonstrated full focus on his performance objectives.

Sports analysts have noted how top cyclists are often conditioned to manage unexpected events calmly. In Pogačar's case, the small disruption may have served as a mental reset. Rather than losing control, he used the incident to reinforce his determination as the Tour entered its decisive final stretch.

Dominant Rides in Final Week of Tour de France 2025

Following the collision, Pogačar maintained complete control of the yellow jersey. He delivered a tactical masterclass on Stage 19 to La Plagne, keeping his rivals at bay. Earlier, on Stage 16, he had shattered the Mont Ventoux climb record with a time of 54 minutes and 41 seconds, further asserting his superiority.

As reported by AP News, the final stage into Paris was neutralised for safety following heavy rain that left roads dangerously slippery, yet Pogačar still launched a bold attack on the Montmartre climbs, nearly claiming another stage win before being overtaken by Wout van Aert in the closing metres.

Pogačar ultimately finished the race 4 minutes and 24 seconds ahead of Vingegaard in the general classification. Florian Lipowitz completed the podium in third. That final stage effort, despite having already sealed overall victory, reinforced his reputation for relentless racing spirit.

Career Milestone: Pogačar Joins the All-Time Greats

Tadej Pogačar claimed his fourth Tour de France title, joining Chris Froome among cycling's elite. As reported by ESPN, he effectively secured the win after organisers neutralised times in the rain-soaked final stage, though he still attacked on Montmartre. He finished 4 minutes and 24 seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard, with Florian Lipowitz third, bringing his total to 21 Tour stage wins and 30 major victories. The triumph capped a season highlighted by wins at Strade Bianche, La Flèche Wallonne and the Tour of Flanders, reinforcing his legacy despite setbacks like the pre-stage collision.