Tadej Pogacar secured a victory on the Alpe d’Huez stage of the Tour de France, further increasing his overall lead to more than seven minutes. This win marks a significant moment for the defending Tour champion, especially given previous speculation about illness within his UAE Emirates XRG team.
Pogacar completed the climb in 35 minutes and 26 seconds, a time that surpasses the record set by Marco Pantani in 1997 by over a minute. He expressed satisfaction with the record, noting that it means a lot to his team and reflects their strong team spirit.
Record-Breaking Ascent and Team Performance
The Slovenian rider appeared in good health as he ascended the 13.8-kilometre climb, a location known for dramatic Tour finishes. His performance on the 21 hairpin bends of the Alpe d’Huez has solidified his position, making an overall victory in Paris seem highly probable. The adage that the Tour is won on the Alpe d’Huez appears to hold true once again.
Pogacar’s decisive acceleration occurred 12 kilometres from the summit, leaving his closest competitors behind. He later joined forces with teammate Adam Yates, who had made a strong recovery after being ill earlier in the week. Yates, whose career includes a Tour stage win, played a crucial role in pacing Pogacar through the crowds. Pogacar praised Yates’s return to form, stating he was happy to ride behind him on the climb.
The stage saw a large breakaway group, including past stage winners Richard Carapaz and Thymen Arensman, establish a lead. However, Pogacar eventually caught and overtook them, demonstrating his dominance. His sports director, Matxin Fernández, was visibly emotional following the performance.
Impact on General Classification and Future Stages
The victory has significantly impacted the general classification. Remco Evenepoel remains in second place overall, but his chances of challenging for the final victory have diminished. Evenepoel is now more than seven minutes behind Pogacar. Isaac del Toro, Pogacar’s teammate, holds third place, over nine minutes behind the leader.
Other notable riders in the top 10 include Paul Seixas, Lenny Martinez, and Mattias Skjelmose. Carapaz’s combative riding earned him the polka-dot King of the Mountains jersey, taking it from Pogacar by a single point. Mads Pedersen continues to hold the green points jersey.
The crowds on Alpe d’Huez were substantial, with estimates suggesting around 500,000 spectators. Some had arrived days in advance, creating a lively atmosphere along the climb. This level of crowd engagement contributed to what Pogacar described as a “crazy atmosphere.”
The peloton will face Alpe d’Huez again on Saturday for the mountainous “queen” stage, which features an additional 2,000 metres of climbing. This stage will include the Col du Galibier and a return to Alpe d’Huez via the Col de Sarenne, presenting another challenging day for the riders.
Pogacar’s win on stage 19 marks his fifth stage victory in the current Tour, making a sixth win in the upcoming “queen” stage seem almost inevitable. The race continues with the next stage on Saturday.
Source: theguardian.com
