(PRIMASPORT) The world champion and UAE Emirates-XRG rider attacked on the slopes of the Col du Tourmalet to claim his 23rd stage victory, his eleventh in the Pyrenees, and his second of this edition. At the top of the iconic climb, he had already achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first reigning world champion to win the Tourmalet Grand Prix de la Montagne. Pogacar continued to push, riding the final 43 kilometers solo—a new Tour personal best—to create massive gaps in Gavarnie-Gèdre. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) finished second (+2:38), ahead of a small group led by Isaac del Toro (UAE Emirates-XRG) at the finish (+2:57). Pogacar also snatched the Yellow Jersey from Torstein Træen, who crashed on the Tourmalet descent but still managed to complete the stage.
Starting from Pau, the riders tackled over 4,000 metres of altitude difference to reach Gavarnie-Gèdre, overcoming the climbs of the Col d'Aspin and the Col du Tourmalet, the second highest peak of the 2026 Tour de France, at 2,115 metres above sea level, surpassed only by the Col du Galibier (2,642 m) of stage 20.
After an attack on the Côte de Mauvezin climb, Australian climber Ben O'Connor gained a 1:15 lead on the road to the Col d'Aspin, only to be caught 5 kilometers from the summit. Young Mexican Isaac del Toro launched Tadej Pogacar's attack in the final 5 kilometers of the climb to the Col du Tourmalet. The Slovenian broke away with 43 kilometers to go. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) tried to hold off, but the gap gradually increased. At the summit (km 147.8), the lead already reached 30 seconds, and Pogacar became the first reigning world champion to win the Tourmalet categorized climb. The Slovenian continued to push and ultimately took his 23rd stage win of the Tour with a 2:38 lead over Vingegaard. A small group formed behind the Dane. Isaac del Toro (UAE Emirates-XRG) is the first to cross the finish line (+3'57''), ahead of Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). (PRIMASPORT)
