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Pogačar Reaches Another Historic Tour de France Milestone for Slovenia

Published:
16.7.2026

Pogačar Reaches Another Historic Tour de France Milestone for Slovenia

For the seventh consecutive year, Slovenia has remained firmly in the spotlight at the Tour de France, one of the world's biggest sporting events. During the first two weeks of this year's race, Tadej Pogačar reached a series of remarkable milestones, further strengthening Slovenia's reputation as the home of world-class athletes and, as an ambassador of Slovenian tourism, bringing the country unprecedented international visibility.

This year once again, the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB), in cooperation with the ambassadors of Slovenian tourism, Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič, is running a digital campaign promoting Slovenia as a green destination for active outdoor experiences. The campaign highlights the country's outstanding conditions for cycling, sports training and international competitions, while positioning Slovenia as the home of elite athletes. Although Roglič is not competing in this year's Tour, memories of his achievements continue to resonate strongly with cycling fans and contribute to Slovenia's image as a nation of exceptional sporting talent.

Through its Feel Slovenia social media channels, the STB engages with the excitement surrounding the Tour by creating inspiring content that connects Slovenia's landscapes, destinations and sporting heroes with memorable moments from the race. Major milestones are marked with visual storytelling designed to inspire both Slovenian and international audiences.

Pogačar Captivates Cycling Fans Worldwide

Tadej Pogačar has dominated headlines throughout the opening two weeks of the Tour, claiming three stage victories while adding several remarkable achievements to his already extraordinary career. Among the most significant is his 61st day in the yellow jersey, moving him into third place on the all-time ranking for the most days spent leading the Tour de France.

Pogačar also won admiration far beyond Slovenia in Stage 2, when he selflessly helped his UAE Team Emirates teammate Isaac Del Toro secure his first Tour stage victory. The gesture sparked a wave of appreciation among Mexican fans and created an unexpected Slovenian-Mexican sporting friendship. The celebratory image of the two riders even appeared on the front page of the French sports daily L'Équipe.

Slovenia Celebrates Its 30th Tour de France Stage Victory

Widely regarded as one of the toughest editions in the race's history, this year's Tour features eight mountain stages out of twenty-one. Since the Grand Départ in Barcelona, Pogačar has remained at the centre of media attention, regularly appearing across social media and on the front pages of leading French and Italian sports newspapers. During the opening week, he reclaimed both the yellow jersey as the overall race leader and the polka dot jersey awarded to the best climber.

His third stage victory of this year's Tour also marked an important milestone for Slovenian cycling. Thanks to Pogačar's 24 Tour stage victories, together with three victories by Primož Roglič and three by Matej Mohorič, Slovenia has now reached a total of 30 Tour de France stage wins. The landmark victory came on 14 July – Bastille Day, France's national holiday – making Pogačar the first rider in Tour history to win the prestigious Bastille Day stage on three separate occasions.

Slovenia also now shares tenth place with Denmark on the all-time ranking of nations by days spent in the yellow jersey, with both countries having accumulated 72 yellow jerseys in Tour de France history.

Contacts

Global public relations and Marketing
e-mail address: press(at)slovenia.info

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