Tadej Pogacar delivered a commanding performance on the iconic Alpe d’Huez climb to win stage 19 of the Tour de France and widen his overall lead to more than seven minutes. The Slovenian cyclist completed the 13.8-kilometer ascent in a record-breaking time of 35 minutes and 26 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Marco Pantani in 1997 by over a minute.

Pogacar’s victory on the Alpe d’Huez, known for its 21 hairpin bends and reputation as one of the Tour’s most challenging and decisive climbs, further cemented his dominance in this year’s race. Despite recent speculation about his health and reports of issues within his UAE Emirates XRG team, the four-time Tour winner appeared in strong form throughout the stage.

With 12 kilometers remaining, Pogacar accelerated away from his closest rivals, gradually closing the gap on the leading breakaway and ultimately surpassing them three kilometers from the summit. The win marked his fifth stage victory in the 2026 Tour. Teammate Adam Yates, recovering from earlier illness, initially joined Pogacar in the chase before the Slovenian went on to solo to the finish.

Pogacar expressed satisfaction with his achievement, acknowledging the significance of breaking a longstanding record. “I just wanted to do a good race and to win,” he said, noting that the atmosphere on the climb was intense and spirited. The event drew an estimated crowd of around 500,000 spectators, some arriving days in advance, contributing to a festive and at times chaotic environment.

Pogacar’s sports director, Matxin Fernández, was visibly emotional following the stage, highlighting the strong team cohesion. The rider, however, downplayed his own emotional response, suggesting that the team’s collective effort was the driving force behind their success.

With one mountain stage remaining before the race concludes in Paris, Pogacar’s position appears nearly unassailable. Only two riders remain within ten minutes of his lead: a Belgian competitor in second place overall and Pogacar’s teammate Isaac del Toro.

Other notable riders participated in a large early breakaway, which included past stage winners Richard Carapaz, Thymen Arensman, and Adam Yates. Despite this, Pogacar’s decisive climb rendered these efforts moot, as he extended his advantage with a display widely regarded as a demonstration of both physical strength and tactical mastery.

The stage reaffirmed the longstanding belief that the Tour de France is often decided on the slopes of Alpe d’Huez. Pogacar’s performance has brought him closer to matching the record of five Tour de France victories, with another mountain stage opportunity ahead that could add to his tally.