Tadej Pogacar, the defending champion, claimed a significant victory on stage 19 of the Tour de France at Alpe d’Huez, moving closer to a record-equalling fifth overall win. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider recovered more than three minutes on a breakaway group during the final climb to the ski resort, which was lined with spectators.
Pogacar’s win puts him in a strong position, holding a lead of seven minutes and 11 seconds over Remco Evenepoel of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. His teammate, Isaac del Toro, remains in third place and holds the white young riders’ classification jersey, nine minutes and 42 seconds behind Pogacar.
Alpe d’Huez Stage Highlights
Pogacar completed the final climb in 35 minutes and 27 seconds, a time that surpassed the record set by Marco Pantani in 1997. He crossed the finish line six seconds ahead of Lenny Martinez of Bahrain-Victorious. Richard Carapaz of EF Education-Easypost, who won the previous stage, finished third, an additional three seconds behind Martinez.
The stage saw a large breakaway group of over 40 riders establish a lead over the peloton and Pogacar. However, the main pack gradually reeled them in. Martinez, Sepp Kuss of Visma-Lease a Bike, and Carapaz were among the riders who appeared set to contend for the stage victory as they began the ascent of Alpe d’Huez.
Kuss, despite his efforts, could not hold off Pogacar. He noted that a larger time advantage at the base of the climb would likely have been necessary to resist the eventual winner. Kuss, who was part of the initial 42-man breakaway, found himself among the final three contenders before Pogacar’s decisive move.
Adam Yates, Pogacar’s teammate, played a crucial role in the final climb. After recovering from an illness that affected him after stage 16’s time trial, Yates helped pace Pogacar during his late-stage charge. Yates had spent two stages riding at the back of the field due to his illness, losing a significant amount of time.
Pogacar expressed his appreciation for Yates’s support, stating that Yates provided a “good moral boost” and that he was glad to have him back. Yates has been a loyal domestique for Pogacar since 2023 and is contracted for two more seasons.
Crowd Conditions and Safety Concerns
The atmosphere on Alpe d’Huez was described as “crazy” by Pogacar, with thousands of spectators lining the route. However, the density of the crowds also raised safety concerns among some participants and observers. Reports indicated that fans were spilling onto the road, coming very close to the riders.
An incident occurred where Einer Rubio crashed into the back of a UAE Team Emirates-XRG car after a spectator reportedly stumbled into the road. Rubio sustained injuries requiring minor surgery and was taken to a hospital. This incident highlighted the potential dangers associated with the crowded conditions on the climb.
A director for Decathlon CMA CGM, Luke Rowe, described the situation as “ugly” and “on the limit,” mentioning that Remco Evenepoel was blocked and a Movistar rider was seen covered in blood. The increasing intensity of the crowds on Alpe d’Huez has been noted by veteran journalists, with some suggesting that social media may contribute to the glorification of the atmosphere, leading more people to seek out specific hotspots.
Despite the concerns about safety, the presence of fans is acknowledged as integral to cycling. The challenge for race organizers and local authorities is to ensure adequate conditions for all involved, balancing the excitement of the crowds with the safety of the riders.
Beyond the stage winner, Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek continues to hold the green points jersey. Carapaz’s performance earned him the polka-dot King of the Mountains jersey, taking it by one point from Pogacar. The peloton is scheduled to return to Alpe d’Huez on Saturday for another mountainous stage.
Source: bbc.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.