Pogacar’s Dominance on Col du Tourmalet
Tadej Pogacar achieved a solo victory on stage six of the Tour de France, culminating at Gavarnie-Gèdre, after a powerful ascent of the Col du Tourmalet in the Hautes-Pyrénées. This performance secured him a substantial overall lead in the race. The stage, covering 186.2 km, was considered the only “true” Pyrenean stage of the 2026 Tour de France, navigating the challenging “Circle of Death” mountain range.
Pogacar’s attack on the Tourmalet, a climb reaching 2,115 meters, was a decisive moment. He launched his move with approximately five kilometers remaining before the summit. His rival, Jonas Vingegaard, initially attempted to limit the damage but ultimately could not match Pogacar’s pace. Vingegaard later stated that the descent towards the final climb did not suit him, leading to further time loss.
The pace set by Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates XRG at the base of the Tourmalet was intense, reducing the peloton to a small group of riders. Among those who struggled to maintain the pace was the then-race leader, Torstein Traeen, who had a difficult day, falling behind the favorites’ group with 11 km left on the Tourmalet. Traeen later crashed on the descent and finished the stage nearly 30 minutes behind Pogacar.
Impact on Rivals and Race Dynamics
Pogacar’s performance on stage six has created a significant physical and psychological advantage over his competitors. His lead, which was under half a minute at La Mongie ski station, extended to almost three minutes by the time he reached Gavarnie-Gèdre. Vingegaard, despite his efforts, conceded 2:38 to Pogacar by the finish line.
Team director Marc Reef acknowledged Vingegaard’s struggle but noted his effort to limit the gap and maintain distance from the chasing group. Reef also mentioned that their pre-stage plan to have a rider in an early breakaway to support Vingegaard after the Tourmalet did not materialize, requiring an adjustment in their strategy during the race.
The dominance displayed by Pogacar has led many rivals to shift their focus from challenging him for the overall win to aiming for a podium or top-five finish. Riders like Remco Evenepoel and Paul Seixas, who were in a group pursuing Pogacar, saw their positions further behind him. The challenging Pyrenean climbs and hot conditions are also contributing to an increasing number of abandonments in the race.
Looking Ahead to Paris
Pogacar’s current form suggests he is well-positioned for his fifth overall victory in Paris, scheduled for 26 July. He has already secured two stage wins in this year’s race, in addition to one gifted to his teammate Isaac del Toro, indicating he is in full control of the competition.
His victory on stage six marked his 23rd career stage win in the Tour de France, including 11 in the Pyrenees, making him the fifth most prolific stage winner in the history of the Tour. The final climb to Gavarnie-Gèdre, though 18.7 km long, was described as relatively gentle with a 3.7% average gradient by Tour standards, presenting a tactical challenge after the demanding Tourmalet summit.
The end of the 2026 Tour’s first week, with Pogacar’s commanding lead, already feels comparable to the end of week two in previous years.
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Source: theguardian.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.