The Tour de France is cycling’s most prestigious race, established in 1903 by newspaper L’Auto to boost sales. Since its inaugural edition, 112 champions from 15 countries have worn the yellow jersey.
France leads with 36 victories, followed by Belgium (18), Spain (12), Italy (10), and Great Britain (6). The race covers approximately 3,500 kilometers across 21 stages, with individual stage times totalled to determine the overall winner.
In this guide, you will know in details ab out tour de France winners list and other information about them.
All-Time Tour de France Winners List (Gold Medal Count by Country)
| Country | Tour Victories | Top Cyclist | Era of Dominance |
| France | 36 | Anquetil, Hinault, Bobet | 1903–present |
| Belgium | 18 | Merckx, Thys, Maes | 1912–1974 |
| Spain | 12 | Indurain, Delgado, Contador | 1988–2009 |
| Italy | 10 | Bartali, Coppi, Binda | 1938–1998 |
| Great Britain | 6 | Froome, LeMond*, Simpson | 2013–2017 |
| USA | 3 | LeMond, Armstrong* | 1986–2005 |
| Denmark | 2 | Vingegaard | 2022–2023 |
| Slovenia | 4 | Pogačar | 2020–2025 |
| Colombia | 1 | Bernal | 2019 |
| Other Nations | 10 | Various | 1903–2021 |
Most Tour de France Wins: All-Time Leaders
| Rank | Cyclist | Country | Wins | Years | Achievements |
| 1-4 (Tied) | Jacques Anquetil | France | 5 | 1957, 1961–64 | First to win 5 Tours |
| 1-4 (Tied) | Eddy Merckx | Belgium | 5 | 1969–72, 1974 | Won 3 jerseys in 1969 (only rider) |
| 1-4 (Tied) | Bernard Hinault | France | 5 | 1978–79, 1981–82, 1985 | Most aggressive racer |
| 1-4 (Tied) | Miguel Indurain | Spain | 5 | 1991–95 | Only 5 consecutive wins |
| 6 (Tied) | Chris Froome | Great Britain | 4 | 2013, 2015–17 | Consecutive wins (3) |
| 6 (Tied) | Tadej Pogačar | Slovenia | 4 | 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025 | Youngest to 4 wins (26 years old) |
| 8 | Lance Armstrong* | USA | 7* | 1999–2005 | *Stripped of titles (doping) |
| 9-11 | Greg LeMond | USA | 3 | 1986, 1989–90 | First American-born winner |
| 9-11 | Louison Bobet | France | 3 | 1953–55 | First 3 consecutive wins |
| 9-11 | Philippe Thys | Belgium | 3 | 1913–14, 1920 | Early era champion |
According to Pro Cycling Stats, Indurain remains the only cyclist to win five consecutive Tours (1991–1995). Pogačar’s four titles tie him with Froome as modern-era leaders, with just one win needed to match the five-time record holders.
Recent Tour de France Champions (2019–2025)
| Year | Winner | Country | Team | Margin to 2nd | Key Stats |
| 2019 | Egan Bernal | Colombia | Team Sky | 1:53 | Youngest since 1909 (22 years) |
| 2020 | Tadej Pogačar | Slovenia | UAE Team Emirates | 3:41 | First Slovenian winner |
| 2021 | Tadej Pogačar | Slovenia | UAE Team Emirates | 5:20 | Back-to-back champion |
| 2022 | Jonas Vingegaard | Denmark | Visma-Lease a Bike | 2:43 | First Danish winner since 1996 |
| 2023 | Jonas Vingegaard | Denmark | Visma-Lease a Bike | 7:29 | Defended title over Pogačar |
| 2024 | Tadej Pogačar | Slovenia | UAE Team Emirates | 6:17 | Won Giro-Tour double; 6 stages |
| 2025 | Tadej Pogačar | Slovenia | UAE Team Emirates | 4:24 | Back-to-back titles; 4 stage wins |
Youngest & Oldest Tour de France Winners
| Record | Cyclist | Country | Age | Year | Notes |
| Youngest Winner | Henri Cornet | France | 19 years, 355 days | 1904 | Promoted from 5th after disqualifications |
| Oldest Winner | Firmin Lambot | Belgium | 36 years, 4 months | 1922 | Second Tour victory |
| 3rd Youngest | Egan Bernal | Colombia | 22 years, 196 days | 2019 | First Latin American winner |
| 4th Youngest | Tadej Pogačar | Slovenia | 21 years, 365 days | 2020 | Debuted and won in same year |
| Oldest Recent Winner | Cadel Evans | Australia | 34 years, 160 days | 2011 | Oldest since 1948 |
Tadej Pogačar: Modern Cycling’s Dominant Force
Tadej Pogačar stands as one of the greatest cyclists in history. His 2024 season achieved what only two others have done: winning the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and World Championships in the same year (following Eddy Merckx in 1974 and Stephen Roche in 1987).
The 26-year-old Slovenian won his fourth Tour de France title in 2025 with a commanding 4-minute, 24-second margin over two-time champion Jonas Vingegaard.
Pogačar’s Tour de France Record:
- 2020: 3:41 margin | Won young rider jersey (age 21)
- 2021: 5:20 margin | Repeated as champion
- 2024: 6:17 margin | Won Giro-Tour double; 6 stage wins
- 2025: 4:24 margin | Back-to-back titles with consistent dominance
He becomes the sixth rider and youngest to reach four Tour victories, needing just one more win to tie the all-time record of five.
Merckx famously said after Pogačar’s 2024 World Championship performance: “He’s like me and Merckx,” acknowledging comparisons to cycling’s greatest all-rounders.
Tour de France Winners by Nationality (All-Time)
| Country | Total Wins | Notable Winners | Most Recent |
| France | 36 | Anquetil, Hinault, Bobet | Hinault (1985) |
| Belgium | 18 | Merckx, Thys, Maes | Merckx (1974) |
| Spain | 12 | Indurain, Delgado, Contador | Contador (2007) |
| Italy | 10 | Bartali, Coppi, Binda | Bartali (1948) |
| Great Britain | 6 | Froome, Simpson, Yates | Froome (2017) |
| USA | 3 | LeMond, Armstrong* | LeMond (1990) |
| Denmark | 2 | Vingegaard | Vingegaard (2023) |
| Slovenia | 4 | Pogačar | Pogačar (2025) |
| Colombia | 1 | Bernal | Bernal (2019) |
| Luxembourg | 1 | François Faber | Faber (1909) |
Iconic Rivalries: The Greatest Cycling Matchups
Pogačar vs. Vingegaard (2020s) The defining rivalry of modern cycling. Since 2021, these two have finished 1-2 at five consecutive Tours:
- 2021: Pogačar 1st, Vingegaard 2nd
- 2022: Vingegaard 1st, Pogačar 2nd
- 2023: Vingegaard 1st, Pogačar 2nd (by 7:29)
- 2024: Pogačar 1st, Vingegaard 2nd
- 2025: Pogačar 1st, Vingegaard 2nd
According to NBC Sports cycling coverage, analysts describe them as “lightyears ahead of the rest” of the peloton.
LeMond vs. Hinault (1986) The famous “Look” team conflict at the 1986 Tour saw defending champion Bernard Hinault attack his own teammate Greg LeMond on the slopes of Alpe d’Huez. LeMond prevailed to become the first American-born winner.
Merckx vs. Thévenet (1975) Eddy Merckx sought a record sixth Tour but cracked in the mountains, losing to Bernard Thévenet. The moment marked the end of Merckx’s dominance.
Tour de France Records & Statistics
| Record | Stat | Holder | Year |
| Closest Winning Margin | 8 seconds | Greg LeMond | 1989 |
| Largest Winning Margin | 2h 49m 45s | Maurice Garin | 1903 |
| Most Stage Wins | 6 | Tadej Pogačar, Mark Cavendish | 2024, 2009 |
| Most Career Stage Wins | 35 | Mark Cavendish | 2024 |
| Fastest Average Speed | 42.1 km/h | Miguel Indurain | 1992 |
| Longest Distance | 5,745 km | 1926 | |
| Shortest Distance | 2,259 km | 1904 | |
| Total Editions | 112 | 1903–2025 (skipped 1915–1918) |
FAQs
Who has won the most Tour de France titles?
Four riders share the record with five victories each: Jacques Anquetil (France), Eddy Merckx (Belgium), Bernard Hinault (France), and Miguel Indurain (Spain). Lance Armstrong won seven titles but was stripped of all victories in 2012 after admitting to doping. Tadej Pogačar currently holds four titles.
How many times has France won the Tour de France?
France has produced 36 Tour de France winners, more than any other country. French cyclists dominated early Tours and maintained success throughout the sport’s history, though other nations have produced champions in recent decades.
What is the yellow jersey in the Tour de France?
The yellow jersey (maillot jaune) is awarded daily to the cyclist with the lowest cumulative time across all completed stages. The rider wearing yellow at the end of the 21st stage is crowned the overall champion. Only the race leader wears the jersey.
How long is the Tour de France?
The Tour de France typically lasts 23 days with 21 racing stages covering approximately 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles). The race features mountain climbs, flat sprints, and individual time trials. Rest days are built into the schedule between stages.
Can a female cyclist win the Tour de France?
No. The Tour de France is exclusively a men’s cycling event since 1903. Women’s professional cycling has separate Grand Tours: the Giro d’Italia Donne and the Vuelta a Burgos. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has discussed potential women’s Tours, but none currently exist at the men’s Tour de France level.
Why is the Tour de France so difficult?
The race’s grueling format combines 3,500+ kilometers of riding over three weeks with consecutive daily stages. Riders face mountain climbs exceeding 2,000 meters, high-speed sprints, and individual time trials. Competitors balance competing in the general classification (overall title), mountains classification, and stage victories simultaneously.
