Tadej Pogacar has secured victory on Alpe d’Huez during stage 19 of the Tour de France, extending his overall lead. His ascent of the iconic climb was completed in 35 minutes 29 seconds, surpassing a previous record by more than a minute.
The atmosphere on Alpe d’Huez was described as “crazy” by Pogacar, who expressed gratitude to his team for their support. He noted that his strategy involved riding for his teammates, and he felt confident in his legs from the first kilometre of the climb.
The Ascent of Alpe d’Huez
The stage saw a strong breakaway group initially, which included riders such as Richard Carapaz, Lenny Martinez, and Sepp Kuss. Pogacar, starting 2 minutes 35 seconds behind the leaders at one point, steadily closed the gap. He was observed picking off riders from the break, described as “eating up this mountain.”
As the climb progressed, Carapaz and Martinez were seen working together, with Kuss initially distanced before rejoining. Despite their efforts, Pogacar continued to gain ground, reducing the gap to 70 seconds and then 50 seconds. The disorganised nature of the leading group, with riders appearing to play off each other, ultimately aided Pogacar in his pursuit.
The yellow jersey group, which included Pogacar, was initially 3 minutes 45 seconds behind the breakaway. Riders like Armirail and Pedersen were active at the front, supporting their respective teammates, Sepp Kuss and Ayuso/Skjelmose. Tobias Foss and Thymen Arensmen of Netcompany Ineos were also prominent in the final 11 on the climb.
Rider Experiences on the Iconic Climb
The return to Alpe d’Huez after a four-year absence brought with it the renowned chaotic and noisy atmosphere. Many riders, including Foss, experienced the climb for the first time. Foss described the crowds as “extreme” and noted that his eardrums were “hurting a bit sometimes,” highlighting the intensity of fan support.
Lewis Askey of NSN, who had previously witnessed the climb as a spectator, found riding it to be a “mental” experience. He observed that even half an hour after the leaders passed, the crowds were so dense that it was difficult to navigate. The climb is considered a “mythical” part of cycling.
Michael Matthews of Jayco AlUla, part of the day’s breakaway, focused on enjoying the atmosphere at the bottom of Alpe d’Huez. He described the experience as “quite emotional,” especially after overcoming recent injuries. Matthews engaged with the fans, acknowledging their cheers, and noted the presence of many Australian flags.
Robert Stannard of Bahrain-Victorious also found motivation from the public, stating that the support made the effort feel less strenuous. He viewed riding up Alpe d’Huez in the Tour de France as a dream come true. However, not all experiences were positive, as Movistar’s Einer Rubio sustained facial injuries after an incident involving a UAE Team Emirates-XRG car.
The stage concluded with Pogacar’s dominant performance, solidifying his position in the race. The next day of racing will feature more of Alpe d’Huez, though without ascending all 21 hairpins, instead going via the Col de Sarenne.
Source: theguardian.com
As Latest News UK's Sports Reporter, Hannah Whitfield reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name covering the county circuit and Team GB at two Commonwealth Games. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from Loughborough University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Hannah lives in Bristol, where she plays club tennis and coaches a junior side. “Sport is at its best when you let the athletes tell the story.”