Introduction
Tadej Pogačar, the reigning champion of the Tour de France, is set to defend his title in the 2025 edition. The Slovenian cyclist, who rides for UAE Team Emirates, aims to secure his second consecutive victory in the prestigious race. However, his annual salary of 8 million euros dwarfs the prize money offered to the Tour de France winner, which stands at 500,000 euros.
Pogačar’s Earnings and Achievements
Ranked as the world’s best cyclist by the UCI, Pogačar has been on a roll since early 2024. His victories include the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in 2024, as well as La Fleche Wallonne, Lieja-Bastoña-Lieja, and Critérium du Dauphiné in 2025. His impressive performances have made him a significant earner, with his salary exceeding the total prize money for the Tour de France this year.
Tour de France Prize Money Breakdown
The total prize money for the 2025 Tour de France is approximately 2.5 million euros. The general classification (GC) winner will receive 500,000 euros, the runner-up 200,000 euros, and the third-place finisher 100,000 euros. Stage winners will earn 11,000 euros, with the second and third-place stage finishers receiving 5,500 and 2,800 euros, respectively. The green jersey winner, representing the best sprinter, will receive an additional 25,000 euros.
Pogačar’s Earnings Comparison
Last year, Pogačar took home 650,000 euros, which included the 500,000 euro grand prize and additional earnings from stage victories. His team, UAE Team Emirates, receives 11,000 euros for each stage win.
Key Rivals
Apart from Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick Step) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) are considered his main competitors. Evenepoel, who finished third in the 2024 Tour de France general classification and won two gold medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has emerged as a strong contender. Vingegaard, a two-time Tour de France champion (2022 and 2023), has consistently placed second or higher since his debut in 2020.
Tour de France Overview
The Tour de France comprises 23 professional cycling teams, each with eight riders, totaling 184 competitors. The race features four key classifications: the general classification (GC), points classification (green jersey), mountains classification (polka-dot jersey), and the white jersey for the best young rider under 25 years old.
Historical Winners
- 2024: Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia)
- 2023: Jonas Vingegaard (Denmark)
- 2022: Jonas Vingegaard
- 2021: Tadej Pogačar
- 2020: Tadej Pogačar
- 2019: Egan Bernal (Colombia)
- 2018: Geraint Thomas (United Kingdom, Wales)
- 2017: Chris Froome (United Kingdom)
- 2016: Froome
- 2015: Froome
- 2014: Vincenzo Nibali (Italy)
- 2013: Froome
- 2012: Bradley Wiggins (United Kingdom)
- 2011: Cadel Evans (Australia)
- 2010: Andy Schleck (Luxembourg)
*Alberto Contador was the initial winner, but his title was stripped in 2012 due to a doping violation.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Tadej Pogačar? Tadej Pogačar is a Slovenian professional cyclist who rides for UAE Team Emirates. He is the reigning champion of the Tour de France and has been ranked as the world’s best cyclist by the UCI.
- What is Pogačar’s annual salary? Pogačar earns approximately 8 million euros annually, which is significantly higher than the prize money offered to the Tour de France winner.
- What are the key classifications in the Tour de France? The four main classifications are the general classification (GC), points classification (green jersey), mountains classification (polka-dot jersey), and the white jersey for the best young rider under 25 years old.
- Who are Pogačar’s main rivals in the 2025 Tour de France? Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard are considered Pogačar’s primary competitors for the 2025 Tour de France.
