The cycling Tour de France is the ultimate test of endurance, strategy, and sheer grit. Since 1903, it has crowned champions who’ve pushed human limits across alpine climbs, treacherous descents, and nail-biting sprints. For cycling enthusiasts, debating the greatest riders is a rite of passage. Here, we rank the top 9 riders in Tour history—considering overall victories, stage wins, yellow jersey dominance, and legacy.
The Five-Time Winners
1. Eddy Merckx (Belgium)
Merckx, The Cannibal, didn’t just win—he devoured the competition. His 1969 debut saw him claim the yellow jersey, mountains classification, and points jersey, a feat unmatched since. His aggressive style and 34 stage wins (another record) cement his GOAT status.
- Wins: 5 (1969–1972, 1974)
- Stage Wins: 34 (record)
- Yellow Jerseys: 96 days (record)
2. Bernard Hinault (France)
Hinault’s ferocity in rain, mountains, and time trials made him a nightmare for rivals. His 1985 victory, sealed with a solo breakaway on the Col d’Izoard, epitomized his dominanc
- Wins: 5 (1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1985)
- Stage Wins: 28
- Nickname: The Badger
3. Miguel Indurain (Spain)
Indurain’s reign was built on icy calm and unmatched power against the clock. His 1992 victory, where he crushed rivals by over 4 minutes in the final time trial, remains iconic.
- Wins: 5 (1991–1995)
- Stage Wins: 12
- Key Strength: Time trialing
4. Jacques Anquetil (France)
Anquetil mastered the art of pacing, famously saying, “You don’t win the Tour in July, but in December” (through training).
- Wins: 5 (1957, 1961–1964)
- Stage Wins: 16
- Legacy: First 5-time winner
5. Chris Froome (Great Britain)
Froome’s 2013 ascent of Mont Ventoux, despite a broken wrist, showcased his resilience.
- Wins: 4 (2013, 2015–2017)
- Stage Wins: 8
- Modern Icon: Team Sky’s relentless tactics
Three-Time Champion
6. Philippe Thys (Belgium)
Before the Tour became a global spectacle, Thys laid the blueprint for GC dominance. The Belgian’s pre-WWI victories showcased a tactical genius ahead of his time – winning with calculated consistency rather than flamboyant attacks.
- Wins: 3 (1913, 1914, 1920)
- Era Pioneer: Dominated pre-WWI Tours with tactical savvy.
7. Louison Bobet (France)
When cycling was still a sport of sheer suffering, Bobet brought science to the madness. The first rider to achieve a three-peat, his obsession with recovery (including pioneering cryotherapy) redefined how champions prepare.
- Wins: 3 (1953–1955)
- First to Three-Peat: Revolutionized recovery techniques, like post-stage massages.
8. Greg LeMond (USA)
No rider has snatched victory from jaws of defeat quite like LeMond. His 1989 comeback wasn’t just historic – it was a 24.5km time trial that rewrote the rules of what seemed possible in the Tour’s dying moments.
- Wins: 3 (1986, 1989, 1990)
- Stage Wins: 5
- 1989 Miracle: Overtook Laurent Fignon by 8 seconds in the final time trial—the closest finish ever.
9. Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia)
The Tour’s current phenom isn’t just winning – he’s evoking comparisons to Merckx himself. With a killer instinct in mountains and sprints alike, Pogačar’s youth suggests we may be witnessing the dawn of a new era.
- Wins: 2 (2020, 2021)
- Stage Wins: 11 (as of 2024)
- Future Legend: At 25, his climbing and versatility rival Merckx’s.
The Ever-Evolving Pantheon
The cycling Tour de France is a living history book. New chapters are written yearly, with riders like Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel poised to join this elite list. For cycling enthusiasts, these 9 legends exemplify the race’s glory, pain, and unforgettable drama.
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