Pogacar dominates on Tourmalet as leader crashes out

New Delhi, India Jul 10, 2026 ALN: Tadej Pogacar took a big step towards winning the Tour de France for a record-equalling fifth time with a dominant victory on stage six, regaining the leader's yellow jersey.

The defending champion established a lead with ease on the iconic Col du Tourmalet during the first 186.2km mountain stage of the three-week race. The Col du Tourmalet, known for its challenging gradients and stunning alpine scenery, has been a pivotal point in many previous Tours, often determining the overall winner. The stage was marked by a high level of competitiveness, with riders battling not only the terrain but also the psychological pressures that come with such a prestigious event.

Pogacar, 27, is aiming to become the joint-most successful rider in the Tour's history, alongside legendary cyclists Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain, all of whom have secured five victories. This ambition places Pogacar in a unique position within the , as he not only seeks to add to his accolades but also to cement his legacy among 's greatest figures.

Between launching his attack five kilometres from the top of the Tourmalet to the summit of the climb, UAE Team Emirates-XRG's Pogacar gained 30 seconds over his main rival Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark—and a devastating one minute 45 seconds over Belgium's Remco Evenepoel of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and young French hope Paul Seixas of Decathlon CMA CGM. This decisive move showcased Pogacar's tactical acumen and physical prowess, as he expertly timed his attack to exploit the weaknesses of his competitors.

Pogacar eventually crossed the line of the stage from Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre two minutes 38 seconds ahead of Visma-Lease a Bike's Vingegaard, with Pogacar's teammate and chosen lead domestique Isaac del Toro of Mexico a further 19 seconds down, along with Evenepoel and Seixas. The performance not only reaffirmed Pogacar's status as the frontrunner for the yellow jersey but also highlighted the strength of the UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad, which has been pivotal in supporting Pogacar's efforts throughout the race.

Pogacar takes the overall leader's yellow jersey after finishing nearly half an hour ahead of former wearer Torstein Traeen of Norway, who crashed and was later ruled out of the rest of the Tour. Traeen's exit from the race is a significant blow not only to him personally but also to the Uno-X Mobility team, which had briefly enjoyed the spotlight in the race. The loss of a rider who had previously achieved a remarkable breakaway victory on stage four adds an element of unpredictability to the competition moving forward.

"Following further assessment he has been diagnosed with a concussion and multiple rib fractures," Traeen's Uno-X Mobility team said late on Thursday, adding that he would not be able to continue. Such injuries underscore the inherent risks of professional , particularly in high-stakes environments like the Tour de France, where the combination of speed, fatigue, and challenging terrain can lead to serious accidents.

Vingegaard, 29, had no answer to Pogacar's trademark explosive initial launch and pace management, which ekes out his time gap in metronomic fashion. Vingegaard has shown remarkable resilience since recovering from a serious crash in 2024 that injured his lungs, and his return to form has been nothing short of impressive. He won the other two three-week Grand Tours, including last year's protest-hit Vuelta a Espana and May's Giro d'Italia, where he triumphed by more than five minutes overall. However, the gap that Pogacar has established in this stage indicates that Vingegaard still has work to do to close the distance in the overall standings.

But Thursday's battle on the Tourmalet shows the rivals are a long way apart since Vingegaard last defeated Pogacar in the Tour in 2023. This evolving rivalry is one of the narrative threads that has captivated fans, as both riders push each other to new heights. Pogacar's ability to consistently perform at such a high level raises questions about the future dynamics of the Tour, as younger riders like Seixas and Evenepoel also emerge as formidable competitors.

"It is one of my top five wins [ever]," said Pogacar afterwards. "I had flashbacks to the Tourmalet in 2022 when I had broken my hand. It's a really incredible victory—one of the sweetest. I woke up today at seven o'clock and my mind was already going crazy. I was really excited for today—all the guys were hyped. I'm super proud of the crazy teamwork." This statement reflects Pogacar's deep emotional connection to the race and his teammates, emphasizing the camaraderie that often fuels success in .

The result gives Pogacar a lead of two minutes 42 seconds over Vingegaard in the general classification, with Del Toro third, three minutes 27 seconds behind his teammate. The growing gap in the standings could influence team strategies in the coming stages, as riders and their teams reassess their approaches based on their respective positions.

Britain's Tom Pidcock lies 15th in the GC, nine minutes 50 seconds down after being dropped from the leaders on the Tourmalet, ruing an illness during his preparation for the Tour. Pidcock's situation is a reminder of how preparation and health can significantly impact performance in such a demanding event. Despite his current standing, he remains optimistic about future stage wins. "Today, I thought, Tadej can win Tour—and well... Getting sick and missing Suisse doesn't help [me] but our performances are not that bad—the level is just super high," Pidcock said, illustrating the competitive nature of the race and the mental fortitude required to navigate it successfully.

Colombia's 2019 Tour winner Egan Bernal is now the highest placed rider for the British Netcompany Ineos team in 11th, nine minutes 15 seconds down. His presence in the top ranks adds depth to the competition, as he seeks to reclaim his former glory in the .

The other story of the day

It was a devastating day for Traeen of Norway, whose unexpected dream was realized on stage four when he finished several minutes ahead in a breakaway group from the peloton. This unexpected victory had marked a significant milestone for the Uno-X Mobility team, which had only recently entered the World Tour schedule. It was only the second time the likable Norwegian team has worn the yellow jersey, and the first for an athlete who had been diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022, after a routine anti-doping blood test. This backstory adds an emotional layer to Traeen's journey, highlighting the challenges he has overcome to reach this point in his career.

"This is really not the ending we wanted for this yellow adventure," said Thor Hushovd, Uno-X Mobility's general manager. "Torstein has given the team a historic moment but after further checks it was clear that he could not continue." Hushovd's comments reflect the disappointment felt by the team and its supporters, as they had hoped for a longer run in the spotlight.

Traeen, 30, who was on the cusp of losing the jersey in terms of time on the road, was descending the Tourmalet, being guided by his teammate Anders Halland Johannessen. However, in the rush to stay in the lead, Traeen outbraked Johannessen before hesitating to undertake him on a steep left-hand hairpin bend and appeared to make contact with him before braking so hard his bike threw him onto the tarmac on his right shoulder. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of racing at such high speeds, where split-second decisions can lead to severe consequences.

In shock, Traeen tried to stand up before putting his head in his hands in the middle of the road, devastated to have made a mistake in the Tour's most iconic jersey. His emotional reaction underscores the personal stakes involved in professional , where each race can represent years of hard work and dedication. He continued after losing several minutes undergoing the race organizers' concussion protocols, finishing 51st on the day before his later withdrawal. This incident highlights the importance of safety protocols in , especially in high-pressure situations.

Stage six results

1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 4hrs 32mins 7secs

2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +2mins 38secs

3. Isaac del Toro (Mex/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +2mins 57secs

4. Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) Same time

5. Paul Seixas (Fra/Decathlon-CMA CGM)

6. Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)

7. Juan Ayuso (Spa/Lidl-Trek)

8. Mattias Skjelmose (Den/Lidl-Trek)

9. Lenny Martinez (Fra/Bahrain-Victorious) +3mins 2secs

10. Sepp Kuss (USA/Visma-Lease a Bike) +3mins 6secs

General classification

1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 21hrs 11mins 57secs

2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +2mins 42secs

3. Isaac del Toro (Mex/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +3mins 27secs

4. Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +3mins 30secs

5. Juan Ayuso (Spa/Lidl-Trek) +3mins 34secs

6. Paul Seixas (Fra/Decathlon-CMA CGM) +3mins 55secs

7. Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +4mins

8. Lenny Martinez (Fra/Bahrain-Victorious) +4mins 21secs

9. Mattias Skjelmose (Den/Lidl-Trek) +4mins 57secs

10. Mathias Vacek (Cze/Lidl-Trek) +7mins 10secs