Tadej Pogacar launches brilliant attack on Alpe d’Huez to win Stage 19 of the Tour de France and extend lead - NBC Sports

What the report says

NBCSports.com, carrying an Associated Press report, said Tadej Pogacar won Stage 19 of the Tour de France on Friday, July 24, 2026, after attacking alone at the base of Alpe d’Huez. The stage ended on the famous 21-hairpin climb in the French Alps, where Pogacar overcame a deficit of more than three minutes with 12 kilometers remaining.

According to the report, Pogacar rode the final portion without team support, caught Richard Carapaz of Ecuador and France’s Lenny Martinez with 1.5 kilometers to go, then accelerated again to take the stage. Martinez finished six seconds behind, Carapaz nine seconds back, and American Sepp Kuss was 1 minute, 14 seconds off the winner. It was Pogacar’s fifth stage victory of this Tour and his 26th career Tour stage win.

The result strengthened Pogacar’s hold on the yellow jersey. NBC/AP reported that he led Remco Evenepoel by 7 minutes, 11 seconds with two stages left, putting him close to a fifth overall Tour de France title. If he completes that win, he would join Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault among the men with five Tour victories.

The report also noted the demanding and chaotic setting on Alpe d’Huez, with large crowds lining the climb and flare smoke affecting visibility at one point. A major Alpine stage was scheduled next, but Pogacar’s expanded lead means his priority may be avoiding trouble rather than seeking another stage win.