Slovenian rider Tadej Pogačar wins the Tour de France for the 4th time

Tadej Pogačar won his fourth Tour de France title by a comfortable margin after Sunday's final stage, which he tried to win even though he did not need to.

The 26-year-old Slovenian rider won the Tour last year and in 2020 and 2021.

Two-time Tour champion Jonas Vinegaard finished the overall race 4 minutes, 24 seconds behind Pogačar in second place and Florian Lipowitz was 11 minutes adrift in third.

Belgian rider Wout van Aert won the 21st and last stage, which broke with tradition and featured three climbs of Montmartre hill.

Because of the risk of heavy rain and crashes, organizers had earlier decided to neutralize the times 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the end, effectively giving Pogačar the victory — but providing he crossed the finish line.

Only five riders were left with Pogačar on the third ascension of the 1.1-kilometre Montmartre hill.

After fending off American Matteo Jorgenson, he was caught cold near the top as Van Aert launched a stunning attack to drop — yes, drop! — Pogačar, the world's best climber, on the steepest section.

Van Aert rolled back down for a prestigious stage win. Pogačar looked weary as he crossed the line in fourth place, 19 seconds behind.

But then it was time to celebrate title No. 4.