Tadej Pogacar won Stage 19 of the Tour de France on Friday, July 24, securing his first career victory atop Alpe d’Huez. The Slovenian rider, wearing the yellow jersey, overcame a 3:30 deficit at the base of the final climb to finish ahead of France’s Lenny Martinez and Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz, further extending his lead in the general classification heading into the final two days of the race.
Pogacar Dominates Alpe d’Huez Ascent
Tadej Pogacar utilized the final climb of Stage 19 to erase a significant gap and claim his 26th career stage win in the Tour de France. According to race reports, Pogacar entered the base of the Alpe d’Huez ascent trailing the lead group by 3 minutes and 30 seconds. He systematically overtook the remaining breakaway riders to cross the finish line first in front of a large crowd.
Lenny Martinez finished second, while Richard Carapaz took third place. Carapaz, who won the previous day’s stage, also secured the polka-dot jersey for the best climber, taking the lead from Valentin Paret-Peintre.
The Mountain Marathon: Stage 20 Route Details
The Tour de France returns to Alpe d’Huez on Saturday, July 24, but via a different approach through the Col de Sarenne. This penultimate stage is characterized as a “mountain marathon” due to its extreme elevation gain and challenging terrain. Official route data indicates a total of 5,450 meters of positive elevation gain across four legendary climbs.
The stage profile includes one first-category climb and three hors-catégorie (beyond category) ascents:
- Col du Télégraphe: 11.9 km at a 7.1% gradient (First Category)
- Col de la Croix de Fer: 24 km at a 5.2% gradient (Hors Catégorie)
- Col du Galibier: 17.7 km at a 6.9% gradient (Hors Catégorie)
- Alpe d’Huez (via Col de Sarenne): 12.8 km at a 7.3% gradient (Hors Catégorie)
Implications for the General Classification
Pogacar’s victory on Friday does more than add to his stage win tally; it provides a critical buffer as the race moves toward Paris. By winning on one of the most difficult climbs in cycling, the Slovenian has effectively neutralized threats to his overall lead. The grueling nature of the upcoming Stage 20 means any remaining contenders must execute a high-risk strategy to challenge Pogacar’s dominance before the final procession to the capital.
For readers unfamiliar with the terminology, a “hors catégorie” climb is the highest rating given to a mountain in the Tour de France, reserved for the steepest and longest ascents that exceed the standard numbering system.
Final Checkpoint
The peloton will tackle the four-col marathon on Saturday, July 24, before the final stage concludes in Paris. Updates on the general classification standings will be available following the finish of the Stage 20 ascent.
Do you think the mountain marathon can shake up the podium, or is Pogacar’s lead insurmountable? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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