Pogacar dominated this year’s Tour de France – becoming the first rider to win six stages in a single edition since Cavendish in 2009.

He also spent 19 days in the yellow jersey, holding it exclusively from stage four.

This year’s Tour was arguably won on stage 15 where, already ahead by almost two minutes, Pogacar stormed to victory on a gruelling climb up to Plateau de Beille to extend his lead over Vingegaard by another 69 seconds.

Four days later he had overall victory wrapped up, ascending to Isola 2000 where he put a further one minute and 42 seconds into his nearest rivals.

The Slovenian looked a level above Vingegaard, who he finished second behind at the last two editions, with the Dane still recovering from a broken collarbone and ribs suffered in April.

But even a fully fit Vingegaard would have struggled to match Pogacar’s pace.

His Tour de France dominance matches his performance at this year’s Giro d’Italia, where he blew away the competition to win by nine minutes and 56 seconds.

“Already it would have been an incredible year, but to win the Tour de France is another level,” added Pogacar.

“To win both together is another level above that level.”

In July Pogacar said he was “99% sure” he would not compete at this year’s Vuelta a Espana, where he could become the first ever rider to win all three Grand Tours in the same calendar year.

He will represent Slovenia in the men’s road race at the Olympics in Paris on 3 August.