Tadej Pogacar achieved a solo victory on stage six of the Tour de France, culminating at Gavarnie-Gèdre, after a dominant performance on the Col du Tourmalet. This win has given him a substantial overall lead in the 2026 race.
The stage, described as the only “true” Pyrenean stage of the 2026 Tour, covered 186.2 km through the challenging Circle of Death mountain range. It featured two demanding climbs: the Col d’Aspin and the high-altitude Col du Tourmalet, which, at 2,115 meters, stands as the second-highest summit of this year’s race. The Tourmalet summit was located nearly 40 km from the finish line, followed by a final, gentler 18.7 km climb to Gavarnie-Gèdre.
Dominance on the Col du Tourmalet
Pogacar’s ascent of the Col du Tourmalet was marked by an intense pace set by his UAE Team Emirates XRG team from the base. The 17 kilometers of climbing created a challenging environment for many riders, effectively reducing the peloton to just 16 riders by the halfway point of the climb. Among those who struggled to maintain the pace were Thymen Arensman, leading the Netcompany Ineos team, and Tom Pidcock of Pinarello Q36.5.
With five kilometers remaining to the summit of the Tourmalet, as the lead group approached La Mongie, Pogacar and his teammate Isaac del Toro moved ahead. Pogacar then pressed on alone, initiating what would become a decisive solo effort. His rival, Jonas Vingegaard, initially attempted to limit the damage during the final ramps of the climb.
However, Pogacar’s attack proved too powerful. Vingegaard, despite fighting hard, eventually had to acknowledge Pogacar’s superior strength. Vingegaard later reflected that it was not the day he had hoped for, stating that the descent towards the final climb did not suit him, leading to significant time loss. His team director, Marc Reef, noted that Vingegaard fought to the finish to minimize the gap and maintain distance from the group behind him.
The Slovenian rider’s performance was so commanding that he was compared to sports figures like Michael Jordan, with Pogacar himself referencing Usain Bolt and Novak Djokovic for their dominance. His lead, which was under half a minute at La Mongie ski station, expanded to nearly three minutes by the time he reached Gavarnie-Gèdre. Vingegaard ultimately conceded 2:38 to Pogacar on the stage, choosing not to sprint for the finish line.
Impact on the Race and Competitors
Pogacar’s advantage over the peloton is now both physical and psychological. His rivals are reportedly facing a significant challenge, with many now likely aiming for a podium or top-five finish rather than directly contending for the overall win. This stage win marks his third in the current Tour, with one stage also gifted to his teammate, Isaac del Toro, demonstrating his team’s control.
The stage also saw difficulties for other riders. Torstein Traeen, who had been the race leader, experienced a calamitous day. His prediction of losing touch with the favorites came true, and he fell behind the main group with 11km remaining on the Tourmalet. Further misfortune struck Traeen on the descent when he clipped a wheel and fell, eventually finishing the stage almost 30 minutes behind Pogacar after receiving medical attention.
The combination of Pogacar’s dominance, the challenging Pyrenean climbs, and the stifling heat has begun to take its toll on the field, leading to an increasing number of abandonments. Among those who withdrew was Cian Uijtdebroeks of the Movistar team, who had been suffering from gastrointestinal problems and a fever since the start of the race.
Pogacar’s victory on stage six brings his total Tour de France stage wins to 23, including 11 in the Pyrenees, making him the fifth most prolific stage winner in the history of the Tour. With this significant lead, he is positioned strongly for a potential fifth overall win in Paris on July 26.
Source: theguardian.com