In an attempt to make history, Tadej Pogacar is the first cyclist to win both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia in the same year since 1998. This is important to know.
The last time a rider won both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia in the same year was Tadej Pogacar, the cycling sensation of 1998.
The 25-year-old Slovenian sensation has already won the Tour de France twice, in 2020 and 2021, but a victory in 2024 would put him in the top tier of the competition.
Pogacar would become the first rider in history to complete the elusive Giro-TDF double and the ninth individual to win the Tour de France at least three times if he wins the coveted yellow jersey during the Tour de France 2024, which is scheduled for June 29–July 21.
The last rider to win the double was Marco Pantani of Italy. Seven riders—Fausto Coppi of Italy, Jacques Anquetil of France, Eddy Merckx of Belgium, Bernard Hinault of France, Stephen Roche of Ireland, Miguel Indurain of Spain, and Pantani—had achieved the feat 11 times.
The latest rider to join the three-win club at the Tour de France was Chris Froome of Great Britain, who took first place in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
While two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard will be returning from injury and aiming to become the sixth person to win three straight races, racer Christian Froome will not be traveling to Europe this year in an attempt to become the event’s fifth five-time winner.
Three Things You Should Know About Tadej Pogacar’s Giro-Tour de France Quest Two Times Will Tell
Less than a month has passed since Pogacar’s Giro d’Italia victory.
The biggest victory margin in nearly 60 years occurred on May 26 when he defeated Daniel Martinez by almost 10 minutes. He also won six of the 21 stages on a daily basis.
From his rising list of achievements since making his debut with UAE Team Emirates in 2019, Pogacar is without a doubt a generational star. He has demonstrated proficiency in every kind of terrain and racing style, including one-day, time trials, multi-stage, and others.
Despite this, there will always be doubts about the Tour de France’s rapid transition from the Giro, which has contributed to the double’s recent elusiveness.
When the Tour de France 2024 begins on June 29 in Florence, Italy, will Pogacar be well-rested and prepared?
Will Vingegaard’s inactivity since sustaining numerous severe injuries in a fall in March help Pogacar?
Or will Vingegaard’s inaction combined with Pogacar’s busy schedule allow room for another of the event’s numerous stars?
“He’s Got The Ability To Cover The Costs” — Gregor Brown, FloSports
Pogacar hasn’t participated in any official racing since hoisting the trophy during his Giro d’Italia debut, although having been performing some altitude training.
Previous efforts at the double have failed due to simply running out of gas during the three-week Tour de France; in 2024, an earlier start to the TDF due to the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris is definitely a possibility.
Not only has Pogacar been talked about succeeding in France, but it has also been said that no one in history has won the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and the Vuelta a España in the same year.
Naturally, a lot would need to happen for that to happen, and because La Vuelta is scheduled to start on August 17, there would need to be another swift turnaround.
Pogacar won three stages and finished third overall on his Grand Tour debut in 2019, so should it come up, he is experienced with the event. However, he hasn’t returned since.
Only seven riders have ever achieved the Grand Tour triple crown, which is usually something that takes a career to do. Could Pogacar, who is still in his mid-20s, pull it off in the same season?
Is Pogacar Really a Good Chance to Win the Third Tour de France Title?
Pogacar needs to pull off the incredible feat of winning a third Tour de France championship in his career—officially only eight have been accomplished—in order to become the first rider since 1998 to win both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France in the same year.
Jacques Anquetil (five), Eddy Merckx (five), Bernard Hinault (five), Miguel Indurain (five), Chris Froome (four), Philippe Thys (three), Louison Bobet (three), and Greg LeMond (three) are among the cyclists who have won three or more Tour de France races. Fourteen other riders have won twice, including Pogacar.
The 111th Tour de France will take place in 2024, having started in 1903 as a race.
In addition to the earlier start time, the race’s conclusion—which typically takes place along the Champs-Elysees in Paris with a 21st stage that ultimately amounts to more of a social gathering than a competition for the title—will be impacted by the forthcoming Olympics.
There is, however, a very real possibility of a last-day shake-up for the yellow jersey this year.
Will Pogacar be able to maintain his composure, energy, and focus long enough to become the first three-time winner since Froome won the third of his four titles in 2017?
Oh, and don’t forget that Pogacar finished second to Vingegaard in 2022 and 2023 at the Tour de France after winning in his first two starts in 2020 and 2021.
Let that sink in: Pogacar has won 11 stages overall and never finished lower than second in his four appearances at what is perhaps the most famous race in the world.
In all four of his appearances, he also took home the white jersey (Best Young Rider) and the polka dot jersey (King of the Mountains) in 2020 and 2021.
Tadej Pogacar’s Unusual Double Goal for the 2024 Tour de France
Tadej Pogacar’s daring bid to win both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia in 2024. No one has accomplished this since Marco Pantani’s ride in 1998:
Teams from the Tour de France In 2024
This year’s Tour de France will have up to 176 competitors and 22 teams.