Tadej Pogacar, the defending champion, is close to securing a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title after his victory on stage 19 at Alpe d’Huez. The rider for UAE Team Emirates-XRG significantly reduced a breakaway group’s lead on the final climb to the ski resort, which was lined with numerous spectators.
Pogacar, who is 27, aims to join a select group of riders with five Tour de France wins, including Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain. He currently holds a substantial lead over Remco Evenepoel of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, despite Evenepoel’s improved climbing performance this year. Isaac del Toro, Pogacar’s Mexican teammate, is in third place and leads the young riders’ classification.
The peloton is scheduled to return to Alpe d’Huez for the mountainous ‘queen’ stage of the three-week race, which will involve additional climbing. Pogacar expressed gratitude to his team for his win, noting the intense atmosphere on the climb. He crossed the finish line six seconds ahead of Lenny Martinez of Bahrain-Victorious, with Richard Carapaz of EF Education-Easypost finishing a further three seconds behind in third.
Alpe d’Huez atmosphere and safety concerns
The atmosphere on Alpe d’Huez during stage 19 was described by some as chaotic, with thousands of spectators lining the route. Despite measures taken by French police, including closing roads and deploying officers, concerns about safety were raised. One incident involved Einer Rubio crashing into a team car after a spectator reportedly stumbled into the road, leading to Rubio’s withdrawal from the race and requiring minor surgery.
Some observers noted that the crowds on Alpe d’Huez appeared to be less evenly distributed along the climb compared to previous years, leading to bottlenecks in certain areas. The amount of alcohol consumed by spectators, sometimes days before the race, was also highlighted as a potential issue. Luke Rowe, director for Decathlon CMA CGM, described the situation as “ugly,” mentioning that Remco Evenepoel was blocked at one point and a Movistar rider was seen with blood.
The intensity of the crowds has led to discussions about the balance between an exciting atmosphere and ensuring rider safety. While acknowledging the importance of fans in cycling, there is a perceived need for race organisers and authorities to maintain adequate conditions for all participants. The situation on Alpe d’Huez has prompted questions about how future events will be managed to address these safety concerns.
Pogacar’s record climb and team support
Pogacar’s ascent of Alpe d’Huez was notable for setting a record time of 35 minutes 27 seconds on the final climb, surpassing the time set by Marco Pantani in 1997. During his pursuit of the breakaway riders, Pogacar was aided by his teammate, Adam Yates. Yates, who had been ill after stage 16’s time trial, recovered to provide crucial support, pacing Pogacar through the dense crowds.
Yates, 33, has a history of supporting Pogacar, having been a loyal domestique since 2023 and is contracted for two more seasons. His ability to recover and assist Pogacar was seen as a significant contribution to the stage victory. Pogacar expressed his happiness at Yates’s return to form, stating he was “super happy to ride behind him on the climb.”
Meanwhile, Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek continues to hold the green points jersey, extending his lead over Jasper Philipsen. Richard Carapaz, through his combative riding, has taken over the polka-dot King of the Mountains jersey by one point from Pogacar. Sepp Kuss of Visma-Lease a Bike, who was part of the initial breakaway, finished fourth on the stage, expressing contentment with his performance despite not securing the win. The Tour de France general classification after stage 19 shows Pogacar leading with a time of 67 hours 53 minutes.
Source: bbc.com
Ama Serwah
Yaw Appiah
Kwame Ofori
newsroom