SLOVENIA'S POGACAR WINS TOUR DE FRANCE FOR RECORD-TYING FIFTH TIME

 

Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar celebrates on the podium after winning the 113th edition of the Tour de France in Paris, France, July 26, 2026. /VCG

Tadej Pogacar claimed a record-tying fifth Tour de France title, while Mathieu van der Poel won a sensational 21st and final stage around Paris to close out the 113th edition of the race on Sunday.

Two-time world champion Pogacar joined Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain as the most successful riders in the history of cycling's most famous event.

The Slovenian had all but secured his historic title during the previous two mountain stages that finished on the iconic Alpe d'Huez.

Pogacar, who won five stages, had held the overall leader's yellow jersey since topping the sixth stage in the Pyrenees during the race's first week. With 26 stage victories in his career, he now ranks fourth on the all-time list behind Mark Cavendish (35), Merckx (34) and Hinault (28).

The 27-year-old also surpassed both Indurain and Chris Froome for total days spent in the yellow jersey with 70, and now trails only Hinault (75) and Merckx (96).

Pogacar is the youngest rider to win five Tours, and is more than a year younger than Merckx was when he achieved the same feat. He is also the first competitor to finish on the podium seven times in a row.

His ninth consecutive Grand Tour podium marked another historic first.

The UAE Team Emirates XRG cyclist appeared to relish his part in a stunning final stage, which was shortened to 88.7 kilometers due to wildfires in southwest France.

Van der Poel and Pogacar pulled away together on the final climb up Montmartre with 10 kilometers remaining, before fighting to the finish with a group of chasing sprinters closing in.

As Pogacar's strength sapped in the last 700 meters, and with the pack just seconds behind, Dutch rider Van der Poel went at it alone.

The cobbled classics specialist held on to win by a length of just half-a-wheel, in a photo finish alongside Alpecin Premier Tech teammate Jasper Philipsen of Belgium, while Denmark's Mads Pedersen took third place.

Source(s): AFP

- CGTN

BENJAMIN SESKO PUTS RIVALS ON NOTICE AS HE EXPLAINS EARLY MAN UTD STRUGGLES

Benjamin Sesko does believe he's improving everyday at Manchester United but accepts that the Premier League requires him to hit a new level as he seeks his first goal

Benjamin Sesko is still waiting for his first Man Utd goal(Image: Nigel French/Allstar)

Benjamin Sesko is adamant that his top form at Manchester United is coming as he concedes the level of the Premier League is "certainly much higher" than he's been used to.

The Slovenian made a £74million switch from RB Leipzig in the summer and has been tipped to help solve the goalscoring issues at Old Trafford. So far though Sesko has only been used from the bench, appearing as a substitute in all three league matches.

In those cameos he's struggled to make much of an impact and is still waiting for his first goal in his new colours. The 22-year-old arrived with a reputation as one of Europe's best young forwards and hit double figures in the Bundesliga last season.

Now in England though Sesko has acknowledged that the demands are far higher with the level of football going up. As a result he's improving as he rubs shoulders with some high quality players and believes his best football will come.

He told Ekipa: “The level of the matches is certainly much higher, the players and teammates are also at a higher level. After all, English football is at the highest level in the world of football.

"But I am very much looking forward to the coming period, also because I am getting better and faster in every training session, and I am also progressing in my football mentality every day. I wanted to move to England and fortunately my wish came true.”

Sesko's only start came in the embarrassing Carabao Cup loss at League Two Grimsby Town. The striker copped criticism for stepping up late in the shootout, but it later emerged that the Slovenian had been struggling with cramp, hence his late inclusion.

Ruben Amorim passed up the chance to bring on Sesko during Saturday's win over Burnley, which did raise eyebrows. When Matheus Cunha was forced off in the first-half the United boss instead chose to bring on Joshua Zirkzee, with Sesko getting 20 minutes at the end.

Nevertheless Amorim is adamant that Sesko has a huge ceiling and believes he will enjoy a stellar career at Old Trafford. He said when he signed: “I think he has great potential in everything he does.

"He can play different types of football. He's going to feel that the Premier League is really aggressive, he's going to learn, but he has a great potential and I can see Ben being a striker for Manchester United for a lot of years. That's why we paid so much money - to have a striker that will have his history in our club."

- Samuel Meade

BENJAMIN SESKO'S BEHAVIOUR AND ATTITUDE ALREADY CLEAR AS MAN UTD HAVE LEARNED THE TRUTH

Manchester United are set to begin life with Benjamin Sesko leading their frontline in the Premier League, and Ruben Amorim already knows plenty about the Slovenian from his former colleagues

Benjamin Sesko could be set to make his Manchester United debut against Arsenal(Image: YouTube/Sky Sports Premier League)

Eyes will be firmly on Benjamin Sesko when Manchester United host Arsenal in their Premier League curtain-raiser. The Slovenian is set for his Red Devils debut against the Gunners, who themselves chased his signature for months.

This season, the 22-year-old will be leading Ruben Amorim's frontline with the heavy burden of a price tag worth £66.4million with potential add-ons of up to £7.6m on his shoulders. The precocious forward is widely considered to be one of the most exciting young players in Europe.

Now the pressure is as high as it possibly can be, particularly with United in dire need of improvement after a woeful campaign last season. However, if the comments of his former team-mates are anything to go by, the striker certainly has the temperament to succeed.

'Sesko is a cool guy'

Sesko has already made a good impression on Bryan Mbeumo(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)

Sesko was not the only new forward to arrive at Old Trafford. Former Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo joined in a deal worth £71m. In one of his first interviews at United, Mbeumo gave his thoughts on Sesko's early contributions to the group, saying: "He looks like a cool guy.

"We’re just being normal, just having normal conversations. He’s a good guy. I think it’s important [to help people settle], especially when you come from another league and you don’t really know [things here].

"I think it’s important to make them feel at home already. I think everyone is doing this naturally, we don’t really calculate anything, but I think this is really important."

Discomfort towards Erling Haaland comparisons

Benjamin Sesko was uncomfortable when told about his team-mates' comparisons between him and Erling Haaland(Image: YouTube/Amazon Prime)

Sesko and Erling Haaland both made their breakthroughs while playing for RB Salzburg, so comparisons between the two were inevitable. Interestingly, he once claimed many of his former colleagues told him he is a better player than the Manchester City hitman, saying: "My team-mates at the club tell me that Haaland and I are very similar, especially in terms of speed. Most of them even tell me that I'm better than him!"

He was reminded of that particular comment during an interview with the The Telegraph. Instead of backing it up, Sesko rowed back on the quote, perhaps with a view of trying to appear more humble. He said: "What should I say? This is comparing me to someone who is one of the best players in the world.

"So, it’s not easy to compare. I would not like to compare myself to anyone. I would just love to be myself and be the best myself.”

United fans will be encouraged by his comments, as it shows he is not looking to get ahead of himself and put himself above other top players, before he has even kicked a ball in the Premier League.

Brilliance in training

Sesko's performances in training throughout his career have impressed team-mates(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)

Of course, the performances Sesko will be measured by will be his displays at Old Trafford and the rest of the Premier League grounds. However, one comment from his former colleague Ridle Baku will be a huge green flag for United fans.

Many great players such as Eden Hazard were often considered as terrible and lazy trainers, but made up for it with their performances in games. While the latter remains to be seen in the Premier League, many of Sesko's past colleagues have said they've been impressed by his performances and attitude in training sessions.

Baku told FourFourTwo: "Our striker Sesko, I was really impressed, to be honest. The first training session, I knew already that he's a good player.

"But I'm speaking about potential, probably he's not [currently at] potential he could be, but right now, what I saw already, very impressive. He has everything to be a world-class player."

"He's the best I've played with"

Poulsen had some high praise for Sesko(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

Throughout his time at RB Leipzig, Sesko mostly played with experienced Danish forward Yussuf Poulsen. Despite playing with the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Timo Werner and Alexander Sorloth, who all have impressive goalscoring records, Poulsen placed Sesko above all of those.

However, he also admitted the forward is a great player to play alongside, suggesting Sesko is not a selfish player who could grate against his team-mates. Speaking to TNT in December, Poulsen said: "As a striker, he's the best I've played with. If you look at his abilities, he has everything a top number 9 needs.

"He's still young, he still needs to learn, not the technical things about being a striker but maybe more the finesse side. He has everything, strength shooting, technique, everything.

"I like working with him and I'm trying to get him there – he'll go on and score a lot of goals for us and some point go to the club he'll love to play for."

Sesko's behaviour during United links

Sesko's conduct during the transfer sagas impressed United(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

There was plenty of attention on Sesko's transfer saga, but he made few headlines in comparison to fellow strikers Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak. Gyokeres went on strike to force through a move to Arsenal, while Isak has told Newcastle United he will not play for them again, in order to try and secure a move to Liverpool.

However, Sesko did not go out of his way to barrage his way out of Leipzig. While the Bundesliga side did make him train on his own, the Slovenian never went on strike or threatened to take firm action against his side.

Instead, he quietly went about his day job, something which pleased Amorim, according to the Manchester Evening News. Emphasising the importance of Sesko's character, Amorim said: "It is a key point in our way of doing things now. It's not just how they play. It's really important how they play, of course, because that is their job, but their character is really important.

"We took a lot of time to get to know the players and talk with everybody before we brought players into our group. That is going to be a rule and will be massive in our decision to sign a player."

- Patrick Austen-Hardy

BENJAMIN SESKO 'SETTING OFF ALARM BELLS' GUVE MANCHESTER UNITED CAUSE OF CONCERN

Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Benjamin Sesko before eventually signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, with the RB Leipzig ace now a top target for Manchester United

Benjamin Sesko has yet to decide his future, with Manchester United interested in signing the striker(Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal chose against pursuing Benjamin Sesko in favour of securing Viktor Gyokeres after considering the RB Leipzig forward too much of a gamble.

Mikel Arteta's team eventually confirmed the Swedish striker's arrival last month following one of the summer's most protracted transfer sagas. The Gunners had narrowed their striker hunt down to Gyokeres and Sesko, but ultimately plumped for the 27-year-old, leaving Sesko embroiled in a tug-of-war between Manchester United and Newcastle United.

The Slovenian international had previously appeared destined for north London given the club's extensive 12-month scouting operation monitoring his development at RB Leipzig, according to ESPN.

Following initial discussions with the German side, Arsenal executives quickly discovered that any move for the talented striker would prove too costly for a player still developing his game, reports the Mirror.

The report highlighted three primary concerns that triggered "alarm bells" over a potential Sesko deal, including Leipzig's hefty asking price alongside his wage demands.

With just two campaigns under his belt in Europe's elite leagues - netting 21 goals in all competitions during the previous term - sources revealed the club harboured doubts about Sesko's psychological readiness to spearhead Arsenal's frontline and cope with the accompanying pressure.

The future of Rasmus Hojlund remains uncertain(Image: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Despite Gyokeres not yet making his mark in one of Europe's top domestic leagues, his impressive record of 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP and Arsenal's faith in his character led them to secure a deal for the striker.

Sesko is reportedly still weighing up his options, with Newcastle having their bid of just under £70m turned down after they rejected Liverpool's £110m offer for Alexander Isak. Despite United not yet making a formal offer for the 22-year-old, they remain keenly interested in enhancing their attack with his signature.

However, Arsenal's decision to withdraw from a deal could raise eyebrows at United, who are all too familiar with the pitfalls of investing heavily in young strikers who fail to live up to their hefty price tags.

The potential signing of Sesko might signal the end of Rasmus Hojlund's time at Old Trafford, as Ruben Amorim confessed he is uncertain whether the Dane - who has expressed his desire to fight for his place - will still be a United player by month's end.

Ruben Amorim did not confirm whether Hojlund would be a Manchester United player by the end of the summer transfer window

United shelled out £72m on the 22-year-old in 2023 and, according to The Athletic, acknowledge internally that they might now have to accept lower than his book value, which stands at a little under £45m.

Following the striker's goal in United's 4-1 pre-season victory over Bournemouth, the Red Devils manager commented: "I'm really happy with Rasmus, but I don't know what is going to happen until the end of the market.

"The important thing is that the strikers who are here are working really well, they are improving, they are helping the team and that's the most important thing. The important thing is that Rasmus is scoring goals.

"He's connecting really well with the team. He's improving. Again, I don't know what is going to happen until the market is closed. We suffered a a lot because of the lack of goals last season. But I think not just the goals, but the way Rasmus connects the play.

"Every time we have to kick the ball, we are kicking the ball when we are more pressed. The ability for him to hold the defender and to connect in the support is helping us to play a lot better and we are playing better because he's playing better."

The arrival of Sesko would certainly come with the expectation that he provides consistent goals, especially after the dire season they had in front of goal. United netted just 44 league goals this past campaign, with only four teams scoring fewer, including all three of the relegated sides.

Amorim has taken note of their troubles in front of goal, given the summer signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who scored 35 combined league goals last season.

- Fasika Zelealem

'I SAW HIM SHIVERING FROM THE COLD AT THE PODIUM' - MATHIEU VAN DER POEL LOST FLANDERS BECAUSE OF HIS SOLO AT THE RAINY E3 SAXO CLASSIC

Mathieu van der Poel was the only challenger of Tadej Pogacar at Tour of Flanders, but even he had to surrender when Slovenian accelerated on the last time Oude Kwaremont. It's the Dutchman's first defeat in a one-day race this season and compatriot Sep Vanmarcke thinks Van der Poel's hunger for victories caught up to him.

Vanmarcke saw the first signs of Van der Poel's illness coming at last week's E3 Saxo Classic. The former pro saw the winner shivering from the cold during the ceremonies after the race. Vanmarcke in the podcast Café Koers: "Everyone saw that formidable solo in Harelbeke, but everyone also saw that it was raining. I then saw him really suffering from the cold at the podium."

It didn't stop there. "Then he had to go to the analysts' booth and he had a coat on, but he was still cold. Then he had another coat on during the press conference, but I saw that he was still cold... Then one plus one plus one is three. After the Tour I saw him after the podium and then I spoke to him. He said that I had already found out, but no, I saw that he was cold and said that could be dangerous."

That turned out to be the case. "He said he had already felt something in the race, but that he had completely come through it during the E3 Saxo Classic. And then he got cold and couldn't shower for a long time. I'm not saying I have the whole truth, but of course it all played a part."

Add the crash and the times he was positioned too far and you simply come up short against Pogacar. "He wasn't that far, but when Pogacar goes you have to get to him as quickly as possible. He did indeed pass an INEOS rider on the Oude Kwaremont as if he were a cycling tourist. A strange phase that we didn't see."

- Ondrej Zhasil

TADEJ POGACAR WINS MOUNTAINOUS 14TH STAGE OF TOUR DE FRANCE

Tadej Pogacar is ahead by nearly two minutes with just over a week to go in the Tour de France. Tim de Waele/Getty Images

Two-time champion Tadej Pogacar surged ahead on the final climb to win the mountainous 14th stage of the Tour de France on Saturday and extend his overall lead to nearly two minutes.

The elite climbers' duel between Pogacar and two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard finally came when Pogacar peeled away with about 3 miles left.

"I love racing on instinct," Pogacar said. "Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but I love it that way."

Pogacar caught up with and overtook his UAE Emirates teammate Adam Yates, while Vingegaard was initially dropped but showed good composure to limit the damage.

The Dane crossed the line 39 seconds behind Slovenian Pogacar, who completed the 199-mile trek in just over four hours.

"Let's keep this positive energy so we can win more," Pogacar said. "I was feeling really good today."

Remco Evenepoel of Belgium was third and dropped to third overall behind Vingegaard.

"I stayed with him a little, but he rode faster and faster and I was dropped," Evenepoel said. "The pace was very high."

After about two hours, riders reached the first of the day's two big "hors catégorie" (beyond category) climbs -- a 12-mile grind up the Col du Tourmalet, one of the race's most famed Pyrenean climbs.

The second HC climb to the finish at Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d'Adet was shorter at 7 miles but had a steeper gradient.

Irishman Ben Healy attacked first but was caught by Yates, who set up Pogacar for the 13th stage win of his Tour career.

"I must say a big thank you to the team today," said Pogacar, who won his second Tour in 2021. "They were amazing, and this victory is for all my teammates."

Time bonuses for the victory added four valuable seconds and extended Pogacar's lead over Vingegaard to 1 minute, 57 seconds.

"It's a good lead, but you never know," Pogacar said. "There is a long way to go."

Evenepoel was 2:22 behind Pogacar heading into another big mountain stage Sunday.

A group of 10 riders formed a breakaway in Saturday's stage, moving four minutes ahead of the yellow jersey group approaching the Tourmalet ascent.

But with Nils Politt riding tempo for Pogacar's team, the breakaway soon shredded to five riders, including Healy.

Approaching the final climb, Healy attacked, and the four others could not follow.

Healy had a chance to win his first Tour stage and a second in major races after a stage win at the Giro d'Italia last year. But those hopes ended when Yates, followed by Pogacar, overtook him.

Their attack seemed to surprise Vingegaard, who beat Pogacar to win Stage 11 on Wednesday, and it looked as if he would lose significantly more time. But a strong response from the Team Jumbo Visma rider helped him stay within one minute of Pogacar.

Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay, who has won three stages, retained the best sprinter's green jersey.

Ineos Grenadiers' Tom Pidcock did not line up for the stage after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, but 2018 winner Geraint Thomas, who also tested positive for the coronavirus, opted to race but was soon dropped by the yellow jersey group.

Sunday's 15th stage -- which falls on Bastille Day, France's national day -- features four big climbs before an even harder grind up to Plateau de Beille.

Monday is the second rest day of the three-week race, which this year finishes in Nice rather than Paris because of the Olympic Games.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

- ESPN News Services 

POGACAR REIGNS SUPREME ON CHAOTIC DAY AT WEATHER-HIT GIRO

Getty

 Tadej Pogacar provided some normality on a day of anger and chaos at the Giro d'Italia by riding away from his rivals to win a weather-hit stage 16 on Tuesday and further extend his massive lead in the general classification.

The Slovenian made light of torrential rain to solo to the summit finish at the ski resort of Val Gardena, counting to five with his right hand to celebrate his fifth stage win at this year's race as he crossed the line.

Giro debutant Pogacar now leads the standings by more than seven minutes and, barring misfortune in the next few days, looks assured of reaching Rome with the maglia rosa on his back.

Giulio Pellizzari, the last of a breakaway group to keep Pogacar at bay, was second at 16 seconds while Dani Martinez, third, moved above Geraint Thomas into second overall.

The day began in confusion as freezing rain in the South Tyrol mountains meant the stage did not start from Livigno and was reduced in length to 121km.

Deteriorating conditions with snow at altitude prompted riders to vote on skipping the 2,500-metre Umbrail Pass and a treacherous descent, citing safety issues.

However, Giro organisers said riders had failed to show up at the start in Livigno despite having agreed to.

"The Extreme Weather Protocol Commission met yesterday to decide on the conditions for today's stage," organisers RCS said in a statement. "On today's meeting, an agreement was reached on (starting) the race from Livigno with a town parade.

"Despite a handshake between the parties, the athletes did not show up at the start in Livigno."

Riders had a different view, however, with Ben O'Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), calling organisers "dinosaurs".

"It's probably one of the worst organised races I think and I'm just being honest. This would never happen in 99% of other situations," O'Connor told Eurosport.

"It's just a shame that it is 2024 and you have dinosaurs who really don't see the human side of things."

TOUGH CLIMBS

The shortened stage, which still features two very tough climbs, began in heavy rain and Frenchman Julian Alaphillipe launched an audacious early attack and was still on his own as he crested the Passo Pinei after a 23.3km slog in the wet.

But he could not hang on and was caught by a chase group on the Monte Pana which ramped up steeply near the finish.

Italian Pellizzari (VF Group–Bardiani–CSF–Faizane) then tried his luck but by that time Rafal Majka had accelerated the group containing his UAE Emirates team mate Pogacar, allowing the Slovenian to put on another masterclass.

Once Pogacar went clear there was no doubt about the outcome while behind him Thomas, who had been second overall, lost time.

"The day started on and off and we didn't know what to do," Pogacar told Eurosport. "But when we started racing it was fine.

"All the bunch was thinking just to be safe today."

Pogacar, who has 12 wins this season from 26 race days, now leads Colombia's Dani Martinez (Bora-Hansgrohe) by seven minutes 18 seconds with Welshman Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) 07:40 back.

The day will be best remembered, however, for the chaotic start. Giro d'Italia director Mauro Vegni said organisers had listened to the riders concerns.

"The mountains are like this, sometimes you have to face certain situations," he told Rai. "We tried to provide additional safety measures for the riders but we agreed that if the conditions worsened we would avoid the Umbrail Pass.

"That's what happened. Obviously, if you ask the riders if they like riding in rain and snow, they'll say no."

- Reuters 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL BETWEEN REAL MADRID AND DORTMUND TO BE REFEREED BY SLAVKO VINCIC

AP Photo 

 NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić will officiate the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, UEFA said Monday.

The 44-year-old Vinčić, who also worked the 2022 Europa League final when Eintracht Frankfurt beat Rangers, will be in charge of the June 1 game at Wembley Stadium.

It continues a good run for Slovenian referees in major European games.

This will be the fourth UEFA final handled by a Slovenian referee since Damir Skomina was picked for the 2017 Europa League title game. Dutch and Spanish referees are next best with three men’s finals in that time.

Also Monday, UEFA picked English referee Rebecca Welch for the Women’s Champions League final, István Kovács of Romania for the Europa League final and Artur Soares Dias of Portugal for the Europa Conference League final.

Vinčić has handled five Champions League games this season without awarding a penalty kick or showing a red card. Among his games was Dortmund’s 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the quarterfinals.

He also refereed two games at the 2022 World Cup, including eventual winner Argentina’s 2-1 loss in its opening match against Saudi Arabia.

Kovács also will work his second European final. He refereed the inaugural Europa Conference League final in 2022 when Roma beat Feyenoord.

All three men picked Monday are on UEFA’s team of match officials for the European Championship that starts June 14 in Germany.

The Europa League final between Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta is in Dublin on May 22.

The Women’s Champions League final between defending champion Barcelona and Lyon is on May 25 in Bilbao, Spain.

The Fiorentina vs. Olympiakos final of the Europa Conference League is in Athens on May 29.