Tadej Pogačar continued his transformational impact on cycling with a remarkable performance on Friday. He broke Marco Pantani’s Alpe d’Huez climbing record during stage 19 of the Tour de France. Beginning three minutes behind the breakaway group, Pogačar completed the climb in 35 minutes and 27 seconds, a performance that’s considered among the most significant in the sport’s history.
The Day’s Key Moments
Early in the day, Richard Carapaz and Valentin Paret-Peintre battled for the polka dot jersey. The two were part of a group that took an early lead, with Paret-Peintre gaining maximum KOM points on Col Bayard and Col du Noyer. Following an intermediate sprint won by Mads Pedersen, a group of twelve riders maintained a lead of around three and a half minutes.
This lead prompted Pogačar to make an early move. He broke away from the General Classification (GC) group with 12 kilometers of climbing ahead, narrowing a 3:20 gap to the leaders. Pogačar paired briefly with Adam Yates before continuing solo in a pursuit of history. He reached Carapaz with 1.8 kilometers left, though Carapaz could not match his late acceleration.
Pogačar’s Historic Ascent
Pogačar’s climb, at 35 minutes and 27 seconds, was quicker than Pantani’s fastest times. He initiated his climb from the bottom, leaving rivals behind. As his impassive presence continued up the mountain, he methodically overtook remnants of the breakaway.
Throughout this ascent, Pogačar moved into career-best form despite many of his teammates struggling just to make the time cut. As he neared the top, he encouraged crowds to clear a path, allowing him uninterrupted progress.
Pogačar’s Reflections and Achievements
Not focused on breaking Pantani’s record, Pogačar sought stage victory for his team. He made strategic moves in the closing stretch, overcoming potential threats from Martinez and Carapaz. Crossing the finish with arms outstretched, he claimed a celebrated win, with a 7% faster time than Remco Evenepoel, the stage’s second-fastest GC rider.
Implications for Tour Rankings
Pogačar’s tactics had significant implications. Lenny Martinez, positioned in the break, moved into the top five, ahead of Lidl-Trek’s Mattias Skjelmose and Juan Ayuso. Despite a brilliant personal performance, Evenepoel maintained a solid second-place in the overall standings.
Isaac del Toro successfully defended his white jersey, retaining third place in the GC, while young French hope Paul Seixas held fourth. As the tour progresses, the competition for the young riders’ white jersey remains intense.
Breakaway’s Dramatic Performance
The breakaway, led by riders like Thymen Arensman and Sepp Kuss, showcased resilience. Carapaz, proving strong in a demanding climb, claimed the combativity award and leadership in the King of the Mountains contest. However, Pogačar’s historical win overshadowed the breakaway’s valiant effort.
Challenges on Alpe d’Huez
The immense crowd and atmosphere at Alpe d’Huez, known for its fervor, created additional challenges for riders. Pogačar and others had to navigate through throngs of fans, and occasional obstructions caused delays. Einer Rubio crashed into a UAE Team Emirates car due to crowded conditions, marking an unfortunate end to his race.
Stage 19 Results
- Pogačar – Time: 3:17:57
- Lenny Martinez – +6s
- Richard Carapaz – +9s
- Sepp Kuss – +1m 14s
- Tobias Halland Johannessen – +2m 7s
- Remco Evenepoel – +2m 29s
- Isaac Del Toro – +2m 41s
- Mattias Skjelmose – +2m 45s
- Paul Seixas – +2m 45s
- Harold Tejada – +3m 22s
General Classification After Stage 19
- Pogačar – 67:53:00
- Remco Evenepoel – +7m 11s
- Isaac Del Toro – +9m 42s
- Paul Seixas – +10m 6s
- Lenny Martinez – +13m 00s
- Mattias Skjelmose – +13m 9s
- Juan Ayuso – +15m 58s
- Richard Carapaz – +21m 15s
- Tom Pidcock – +21m 30s
- Jordan Jegat – +23m 21s
Stage 20 Overview
Queen Stage 20 promises intense competition. The route covers picturesque slopes like the Col du Glandon and Col de Sarenne, with a second Alpe d’Huez climb challenging riders. With 5,600 meters of ascent, opportunities to impact the standings remain substantial.
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