The cauldron of Alpe d’Huez has a new hero: Tadej Pogačar claimed the Tour de France stage on cycling’s most famous climb in commanding fashion, stretching his arms in triumph at the finish. It was the Slovenian’s first victory at this legendary venue—and possibly the most significant step toward his historic fifth overall title.
With a 7:11 lead over Remco Evenepoel, Pogačar tops the general classification, with a crash now appearing the only remaining obstacle in his record chase. The 27-year-old meant business from the start of the final climb: he immediately ramped up the pace, shed all his rivals, and reeled in the 14-rider breakaway, who had begun the ascent with a lead of around three and a half minutes.
At the finish, just six seconds separated him from runner-up Lenny Martinez. Evenepoel, sixth on the day, nearly got caught in the crowds of spectators five kilometers from the line.
Pogačar’s Mexican teammate Isaac del Toro secured third overall (+9:42), with Paul Seixas, the best-placed Frenchman, fourth (+10:06)—France now risks going without a single stage win for only the third time, after 1926 and 1999.
In the build-up, concerns had surrounded the UAE Team after a rampant virus weakened the squad, but on the approach to the climb, the team showed little sign of weakness. Nils Politt reliably delivered Pogačar to the foot of the legendary 21 hairpins. For Evenepoel, Alpe d’Huez was a debut filled with respect: “It also frightens me a little. Let’s see how extreme it gets,” said the Belgian. Pogačar, for his part, had predicted: “It’s going to be chaos again”—and he was proven right.
The road had been closed to cars 24 hours before the start, with hundreds of thousands celebrating through the night. With 26 Tour de France stage victories, Pogačar now stands on the brink of joining the ranks of the true greats—Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault, and Indurain await.
Saturday brings the second Alpe d’Huez stage, which will be even harder.
