Pogacar wins stage 19 on Alpe d’Huez, extends Tour lead by over seven minutes
On July 24, 2026 Tadej Pogacar claimed victory on stage 19 of the Tour de France at Alpe d’Huez and stretched his overall advantage to more than seven minutes. The Slovenian’s performance on the famous climb set a new benchmark and made him only the second man to win on the mountain while wearing yellow.
The result heightened the sense of dominance surrounding the defending Tour champion. Pogacar’s record-breaking ride up the legendary Alpe d’Huez arrived amid reports of concern within his camp, with rumours of illness and gastric problems within his UAE Emirates XRG team circulating beforehand. The outcome removed much of the suspense over the general classification and reinforced his position atop the standings.
Pogacar put additional distance between himself and his remaining challengers through a decisive effort on the mountain. The stage victory came on the iconic slopes of Alpe d’Huez and extended his lead to a margin exceeding seven minutes, a gap that now defines the latter stages of the race. That cushion was enlarged despite the uncertainty surrounding his team’s health going into the day.
The achievement on stage 19 carried historical weight as well as sporting significance. By taking the summit finish while in yellow, Pogacar joined an exclusive short list as only the second rider to accomplish that feat on the mountain. Observers noted the authoritative nature of the win on a climb that has long been central to Tour lore.
For Pogacar and UAE Emirates XRG, the victory offered both vindication and momentum. The record climb quelled questions that had arisen from the pre-stage reports of gastric issues and other ailments within the squad, showing the leader in commanding form when it mattered most. The margin now places him in a position of strong control heading into the closing phases of the race.
The stage’s outcome reshapes the narrative of this year’s Tour de France, underscoring Pogacar’s status as the rider to beat. With the defending champion’s lead now measured in minutes rather than seconds, the final stages will unfold with his sizable advantage as the defining factor. The result at Alpe d’Huez will be remembered both for its statistical imprint and for the manner in which Pogacar answered the doubts around his team’s condition.