Overview
- On Friday Pogacar produced a long solo comeback up Alpe d’Huez, won the 19th stage and recorded the fastest ascent on the classic 13.8 km climb, beating Marco Pantani’s long‑standing time.
- That ride gave Pogacar a decisive overall margin that he defended on Saturday and has effectively secured his fifth Tour de France victory.
- The penultimate stage was won by Richard Carapaz, who took the polka‑dot mountains jersey while Pogacar spent long stretches helping teammate Isaac Del Toro protect third place and the white jersey.
- Race operations changed to cope with massive spectator numbers — organisers closed vehicle access on Alpe d’Huez and shortened the final Paris stage from 133 km to 89 km because of wildfires in Gironde.
- Alpe d’Huez’s status as cycling theatre sharpened the story: the new time resets conversations about era-to-era comparisons, cements Pogacar’s dominance and could shape how future routes and rival strategies are planned.