Pogacar dominates L'Alpe d'Huez stage to extend Tour de France lead

Tadej Pogacar delivered a commanding performance to win the 19th stage of the Tour de France on the iconic L'Alpe d'Huez climb. The overall leader showcased his strength by catching a breakaway group on the final ascent, securing his fifth stage victory of this year's race.

Pogacar crossed the finish line six seconds ahead of France's Lenny Martinez, with Ecuador's Richard Carapaz a further three seconds behind. This victory significantly extended Pogacar's lead in the general classification to 7 minutes and 11 seconds over second-placed Remco Evenepoel, with only two stages left in the competition.

Meanwhile, Danish rider Mads Pedersen achieved his objective early in the stage. He joined a large breakaway group and successfully earned crucial points in an intermediate sprint, extending his advantage in the battle for the green jersey. Pedersen now leads Jasper Philipsen by 57 points heading into the final stages.

The stage covered 127.9 kilometers from Gap to Alpe d'Huez. As the riders began the challenging climb, the breakaway group held a substantial lead. However, Pogacar launched a powerful attack from the base of the mountain, gradually closing the gap on the leaders. Despite the close proximity of spectators on the narrow climb, Pogacar's relentless pace allowed him to catch and pass the remaining breakaway riders in the final kilometers, solidifying his dominance in the race.