Tadej Pogacar asserted his dominance over the 2026 Tour de France on Saturday, delivering a spectacular solo performance on the legendary Col du Tourmalet. The four-time champion launched a blistering attack on the 17-kilometre climb, ultimately riding to a resounding stage victory in Gavarnie-Gèdre and establishing a formidable lead in the general classification.
Pogacar's display, witnessed by French President Emmanuel Macron, saw him extend his advantage over his closest rival, Jonas Vingegaard, to almost three minutes by the finish line. The Slovenian's UAE Team Emirates XRG set an unforgiving pace at the foot of the Tourmalet, decimating the peloton and setting the stage for Pogacar's decisive move. By the midway point of the climb, only 16 riders remained in contention, with notable contenders like Thymen Arensman and Tom Pidcock unable to maintain the pace.
Five kilometres from the Tourmalet summit, Pogacar, initially with teammate Isaac del Toro, surged ahead before embarking on his solo charge. Despite Vingegaard's initial efforts to limit the damage, Pogacar's lead continued to grow on the descent. This latest victory marks Pogacar's third stage win of this year's Tour, adding to his impressive career tally of 23 stage victories, 11 of which have been in the Pyrenees.
The impact of Pogacar's relentless pace and the gruelling Pyrenean stages, coupled with the stifling heat, is already evident across the race. The number of withdrawals is steadily increasing, highlighting the extreme demands on the riders. Among those affected was the previous race leader, Torstein Traeen, who endured a calamitous day, not only losing significant time but also suffering a fall on the descent of the Tourmalet, finishing almost 30 minutes behind Pogacar.
Pogacar's overwhelming performance has left many of his rivals with a significant psychological and physical challenge. With his current form, he is increasingly being compared to sporting legends, and his path to a fifth overall Tour de France title in Paris on 26 July appears increasingly clear.