Pogačar claims stunning victory in stage 19 of the Tour de France

Tadej Pogačar delivered a breathtaking solo performance to win the 19th stage of the Tour de France, ascending the iconic Alpe d'Huez and significantly widening his grip on the overall lead. The Slovenian rider launched a remarkable attack from the base of the formidable climb, showcasing his exceptional form and determination.

Despite trailing by more than three minutes with just 12 kilometers remaining, Pogačar displayed incredible resilience. He systematically caught and surpassed Richard Carapaz and Lenny Martinez in the closing stages, ultimately crossing the finish line for his fifth stage win of the current race and 26th of his career. "It's very cool to win up here," Pogačar commented after his victory. "I'm super happy to take the win."

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It's very cool to win up here. I'm super happy to take the win.

Pogačar now holds a commanding lead of 7 minutes and 11 seconds over Remco Evenepoel in the general classification. With only two stages left, he is poised to join an elite group of cyclists, including Eddy Merckx and Miguel Indurain, who have won five Tour de France titles. The challenging "Queen stage" on Saturday, featuring multiple HC climbs, presents a final test, but Pogačar's current advantage suggests he is on track to secure the overall victory on the Champs-Élysées.

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I had to fight against super good riders. But they were playing against each other a bit so it helped me to catch up.