Tadej Pogacar overcame illness in his team to win at Alpe d’Huez. He shattered Marco Pantani’s legendary record by 1:27. The stage saw dramatic attacks and a weakened UAE squad under pressure.
Tadej Pogacar delivered a landmark performance on Alpe d’Huez, overcoming both a virus-stricken UAE Team Emirates and fierce competition to secure his fifth stage victory in the 2026 Tour de France. The Slovenian not only claimed the win but also broke Marco Pantani’s long-standing ascent record by a remarkable one minute and 27 seconds, setting a new benchmark on one of cycling’s most iconic climbs.
The day began with uncertainty for UAE Team Emirates. Several riders, including McNulty, Wellens, Yates, and Vermeersch, were either sidelined or weakened by illness, leaving Pogacar with a depleted support squad. Sensing vulnerability, rival teams intensified their efforts, launching a flurry of attacks from the start in Gap. A large breakaway group of 42 riders formed, featuring names like Carapaz, Kuss, Lenny Martínez, Arensman, Romo, Rubio, Castrillo, Healy, and Yates, all seeking to capitalize on the chaos.
As the peloton tackled the Col du Noyer and Col d’Ornon, the breakaway’s advantage fluctuated. Pablo Castrillo pushed the pace until exhaustion, while Richard Carapaz aggressively targeted mountain points, aiming for the polka dot jersey. The Ecuadorian’s relentless style forced selections in the lead group, but the real test awaited on the legendary slopes of Alpe d’Huez.
At the base of the final climb, the breakaway still held a 3:25 lead. However, the atmosphere shifted as the road narrowed into a corridor of fans, creating a charged and at times hazardous environment. With 11 kilometers remaining, Pogacar launched a decisive attack, distancing the main contenders without hesitation. Adam Yates, despite recent illness, briefly supported his leader before Pogacar pressed on alone, transforming the stage into a solo pursuit against the breakaway and Pantani’s record.
Pogacar’s relentless pace quickly eroded the gap: from 2:27 behind at nine kilometers to just 52 seconds at 5.5 kilometers. Up front, Carapaz refused to yield, attacking Kuss and Lenny Martínez and momentarily gaining a slim advantage. Yet, Pogacar’s progress was unstoppable. He caught Lenny Martínez, then Carapaz, testing both with a sharp acceleration before waiting for the final kilometer to make his move. Under the red kite, Pogacar attacked again, finally dropping Carapaz and sealing the stage win in commanding fashion.
Further back, Evenepoel attempted to limit his losses, while Del Toro and Seixas battled for podium positions. Ayuso, another UAE rider, struggled early on the climb, highlighting the toll the virus had taken on the team. The day’s drama unfolded against the backdrop of a weakened squad and a peloton sensing opportunity, but Pogacar’s performance rendered all doubts irrelevant.
This stage at Alpe d’Huez not only marked Pogacar’s fifth victory of the 2026 Tour but also his second career win on this legendary ascent. His ride rewrote the record books, surpassing Pantani’s iconic time and reinforcing his dominance despite adversity. For additional context on Pogacar’s earlier triumphs in this Tour, see the detailed coverage of his previous stage win at Alpe d’Huez in this related report.
Alpe d’Huez has long been a defining stage in the Tour de France, often serving as a battleground for the yellow jersey and a showcase for cycling’s greatest climbers. The climb’s 21 hairpin bends and fervent crowds create a unique atmosphere, amplifying both the physical and psychological demands on riders. Pogacar’s achievement stands out not only for its athletic brilliance but also for the context: overcoming a team weakened by illness and prevailing against a field eager to exploit any sign of weakness. The 2026 Tour continues to highlight the unpredictable nature of Grand Tour racing, where resilience and timing can overturn even the most daunting setbacks.
