Tadej Pogacar delivered a commanding ride in the Vosges, claiming his fourth stage win of the 2026 Tour de France. The Slovenian broke away in the final kilometers, dropping his basic competitors on the steep slopes of the Grand Ballon and Ballon d’Alsace. Attacks and tactical battles unfolded amid changing weather, but Pogacar’s calculated move on the decisive climb proved impossible to match.
The day began with a determined breakaway, including several climbers such as Richard Carapaz and Ben Healy, who set a fierce pace through the mountain passes. UAE Team Emirates and Red Bull helped the peloton gradually reel them in. Mads Pedersen, usually a sprinter, took on an unusual support role for teammate Juan Ayuso on the rain-soaked descents. Jonas Vingegaard and Visma chose a cautious approach, allowing Pogacar’s squad to dictate the tempo.
As the race neared the final ascent, Carapaz still held a slim lead. Decathlon and Visma turned up the pressure, but Pogacar stayed patient, conserving energy and tracking his competitors. With two kilometers left to the summit, he launched his decisive attack, passing Carapaz and distancing Vingegaard. Pogacar opened his advantage on the steepest section, known locally as the Haag, then crested the climb alone and turned the final six kilometers into a solo run to the finish.
At the finish, Pogacar had time to savor the win, putting on his sunglasses and mimicking a famous football celebration. Young rider Seixas also finished strongly in the contest for the white jersey, awarded to the best-placed rider aged 25 or under. Isaac Del Toro and Vingegaard fought for bonus seconds, while Ayuso remained in contention. The result reshaped the standings ahead of the Alps, where the Plateau de Solaison and the demanding climb of Le Salève await the peloton.
Pogacar’s climbing has prompted comparisons with cycling greats. His use of a nasal strip, intended to improve airflow, has drawn attention, though experts remain skeptical about its practical effect. Some observers have also speculated about his VO₂ max, but no confirmed measurement establishes its historical ranking. Vingegaard is expected to challenge again on the longer Alpine climbs as the general-classification battle continues.
Fans braved the rain to watch the finish, where the fight for the white jersey added another layer of drama. Seixas edged Ayuso by three seconds, keeping the young-rider contest tight as the race headed toward its next mountain test. For more on Spanish riders’ influence on earlier mountain stages and the tactical shifts that have shaped this year’s race, see this detailed report.
