Tour de France: Pogacar's show, Kuss's missed chance, Seixas struggles – Stage 19's highs and lows

Tadej Pogacar delivered a stunning performance on the 19th stage of the Tour de France, claiming victory atop the iconic Alpe d'Huez. Starting the climb with a significant deficit, Pogacar launched a blistering attack in the final kilometers, bridging the gap to the leaders and ultimately distancing Richard Carapaz and Lenny Martinez to secure his fifth stage win of this year's race and his 26th career Grand Boucle victory.

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Pogacar is all alone on the planet Tour.

Lenny Martinez, who had been part of the early breakaway, put in a strong effort on the legendary climb. While he couldn't match Pogacar's final acceleration, he secured a commendable second place on the stage, just six seconds behind the winner. This result also allowed him to gain one position in the general classification, moving up to fifth place, though he expressed regret over not being able to capitalize further.

Richard Carapaz, the winner of the previous day's stage, once again demonstrated his remarkable resilience and fighting spirit. He was among the frontrunners on the Alpe d'Huez and, despite falling short of a second consecutive victory, finished third on the stage, nine seconds behind Pogacar. His tenacious ride highlighted his enduring strength and determination in the mountains.

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Perhaps too cautious, perhaps simply not strong enough, he had to settle for an honorable place.

The return of the Tour de France to Alpe d'Huez was marked by the traditional festive atmosphere, with spectators lining the 21 hairpin turns in colorful costumes, singing, and dancing. The legendary climb provided a spectacular backdrop for the race's dramatic conclusion. The stage's success ensures Alpe d'Huez will feature prominently again in the upcoming 20th stage, promising further excitement for fans.

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The Ecuadorian, winner of the 18th stage on Thursday in Voiron, still had heart, desire, and legs.

In contrast, Juan Ayuso and his Lidl-Trek team had a disappointing day. Ayuso struggled with strategy and lacked the necessary power in the crucial moments, losing two places in the general classification and seeing his hopes for the white jersey diminish. His teammate Mattias Skjelmose maintained his sixth position overall. Sepp Kuss also missed a significant opportunity, despite the efforts of his teammates, failing to capitalize on a promising situation.

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The Tour made its return to the map for the first time since 2022. The return was memorable.