Tadej Pogacar dominates Alpe d’Huez on Stage 19 of the 2026 Tour de France
On Friday, July 24 2026, Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates‑XRG) claimed a solo victory on the legendary climb to Alpe d’Huez, further cementing his grip on the overall lead. His time of 35 minutes 27 seconds not only earned him the stage win but also shattered Marco Pantani’s three‑decade‑old record by more than a minute.
Record‑breaking ascent
Alpe d’Huez, with its 13.8 km length and an average gradient of 8.1 % (peaking at 11 % in the final kilometres), has long been a benchmark for climbing prowess. Pantani’s historic mark, set in 1997, stood at approximately 36 min 30 s. Pogacar’s 35:27 represents a 1 minute 03 second improvement**, a gain that places him among the fastest ever recorded on the ascent.
According to the official Tour de France timing data, Pogacar averaged 23.4 km/h** over the climb, a figure that exceeds the average speed of the peloton by roughly 4 km/h on that sector.
Race dynamics and team work
After a relatively quiet period in the previous three stages, Pogacar launched his attack just before the Col d’Ornon, the penultimate climb of the day. His teammate Felix Großschartner set a high tempo at the front, allowing the Slovenian to conserve energy for the decisive move.
As the peloton approached the base of Alpe d’Huez, most of Pogacar’s overall rivals—including overall second‑placed Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick‑Step)—remained within sight. Shortly after the climb began, Pogacar surged ahead, quickly closing a three‑and‑a‑minute gap that had opened when Richard Carapaz (EF Education‑EasyPost), Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious) and Sep Kuss (Jumbo‑Visma) pulled clear.
Even the steepest sections, where the gradient hits 11 %, failed to slow Pogacar. He bridged to the leading group before the final kilometre, then accelerated past his companions to the finish line amid loud cheers from the roadside crowd.
Overall classification implications
The stage victory extended Pogacar’s overall advantage to 7 minutes 11 seconds** over Evenepoel, with a single mountain stage remaining before the race concludes in Paris on Sunday. Such a margin is historically difficult to overturn; in the last ten Tours de France, a lead exceeding five minutes with one stage to go has resulted in victory for the leader in nine instances.
With the final stage set to include another ascent of Alpe d’Huez (this time as part of a 170.9 km route from Le Bourg), Pogacar’s team will likely focus on controlling the pace rather than seeking additional time gains.
Reactions from the peloton and experts
“That was epic, what Tadej did there was very special and everyone who saw it should be very happy.”
Former champion Froome’s praise was echoed by teammates and rivals alike. Lenny Martinez, who finished second, commented on the “unbelievable rhythm” Pogacar displayed, while Richard Carapaz, third on the stage, acknowledged the Slovenian’s “exceptional power-to-weight ratio” on the climb.
Social media reactions highlighted the historic nature of the performance. The Tour de France’s official Twitter account posted a clip of Pogacar’s finish with the caption: “Another masterpiece from Tadej Pogacar, this time on Alpe d’Huez.” The tweet garnered over 150 k likes within hours.
Looking ahead to the final mountain stage
Stage 20 will see the riders tackle Alpe d’Huez once more, this time as part of a longer route that includes several intermediate climbs. With the overall outcome all but decided, the focus for Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates‑XRG will be on preserving the lead and ensuring a smooth procession to the Champs‑Élysées.
For the chasing riders, the stage offers a final opportunity to claim stage honours and reduce the gap in the mountains classification. Richard Carapaz, having moved to the top of the climbers’ ranking after this stage, will likely target additional points on the ascent.
As the Tour de France approaches its conclusion, Pogacar’s performance on Alpe d’Huez stands as a defining moment of the 2026 edition—a blend of tactical acumen, raw power, and historic significance that will be analysed by fans and experts for years to come.
