Evenepoel cuts Pogacar's lead with time-trial win - BBC

What the report says

BBC Sport reported that Remco Evenepoel reduced Tadej Pogacar’s advantage in the Tour de France general classification by winning the stage 16 time trial on 21 July 2026. The Belgian rider completed the 26.1km course beside Lake Geneva in 32 minutes 19 seconds, taking his second stage victory in a row after also winning the previous mountain stage.

Pogacar finished 28 seconds slower, in 32:47, but remained firmly in control of the overall race with a lead of 4 minutes 32 seconds over Evenepoel. Denmark’s Mattias Skjelmose was third on the stage, while the rest of the field was reported to be more than a minute behind the winner. In the overall standings, Isaac del Toro sat third, 6:51 off Pogacar’s lead.

Evenepoel, the Olympic champion, described the win as especially meaningful because it came on Belgium’s national day and with family members present. However, he played down the idea that he could still overhaul Pogacar, saying his focus was on his own position while acknowledging Pogacar’s strong path toward another Tour title.

The stage also brought a setback for Evenepoel’s Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team. BBC reported that teammate Florian Lipowitz injured his collarbone after crashing on a bend and was expected to leave the race. Lipowitz had been fifth overall before the crash, which came shortly after former winner Jonas Vingegaard had also exited the Tour following a crash.