Defending champion Tadej Pogacar achieved a monumental milestone by securing his 100th professional victory on stage four of the Tour de France. The Slovenian cyclist outpaced Mathieu van der Poel and Jonas Vingegaard in a thrilling sprint finish, solidifying his status as one of the sport's greats.

A Race to Remember

The 174.2km route into Rouen featured five categorized climbs in the final 50km, setting the stage for an intense battle among the top contenders. Pogacar, known for his explosive power, launched a decisive attack on the Rampe Saint-Hilaire, a short but grueling climb located just five kilometers from the finish. Despite fierce competition, Pogacar managed to distance all his rivals, except for Vingegaard, before ultimately surging ahead of Van der Poel in the final uphill dash.

Team Effort and Strategy

Pogacar credited his team for their exceptional support, particularly Joao Almeida, who played a crucial role in leading him to the finish line. "Joao did such an amazing job to lead me out to the end even if everyone was attacking. I am super proud of the team today," Pogacar remarked. This victory marks Pogacar's 18th stage win in the Tour de France as he aims for his fourth overall triumph.

Rising Stars and Future Challenges

Meanwhile, Oscar Onley, a 22-year-old Scottish rider competing in only his second Tour, delivered an impressive performance despite a late crash, finishing fourth among the elite GC riders and moving up to seventh in the overall standings. The race continues with the first of two individual time trials on a 33km course around Caen, where Remco Evenepoel, the Belgian world and Olympic champion, is expected to excel.

Stage Four Results

1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 3hrs 50mins 29secs
2. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned/Alpecin - Deceuninck) Same time
3. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma - Lease a Bike) Same time
4. Oscar Onley (GB/Picnic PostNL) Same time
5. Romain Grégoire (Fra/Groupama - FDJ) Same time

General Classification After Stage Four

1. Mathieu Van der Poel (Ned - Alpecin-Deceuninck) 16hrs 46mins 00secs
2. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) Same time
3. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +8secs
4. Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) +19secs
5. Kevin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) +26secs

As the Tour de France progresses, all eyes will be on Pogacar as he continues his quest for glory, while the emerging talents like Onley add an exciting dynamic to the competition.