Alpe d’Huez to feature twice in Tour de France 2026, stage 19 sees breakaway action
The Tour de France 2026 is set to feature the iconic Alpe d’Huez climb twice, with the peloton tackling its 21 hairpins on stage 19. This marks a significant return for the climb, which last appeared in the Tour in 2022. The 13.8km ascent, with an average gradient of 8.1% and a summit at 1,850m, is considered one of the race’s most challenging.
On stage 19, a large breakaway group has formed, including riders such as Richard Carapaz, Lenny Martinez, Sepp Kuss, and Quinn Simmons. Tobias Johannessen is also part of this group. The peloton, led by UAE Team Emirates XRG and Red Bull Bora-Hangrohe, is maintaining a controlled gap, which has been reported at around 1min 30secs at the start of the Col du Noyer, a category one climb stretching 7.2km at an average of 8.5%.
Challenges on the Road to Alpe d’Huez
The stage has seen active competition for mountain points. Paret-Peintre attacked early, with Carapaz following, to secure points in the mountains classification. Paret-Peintre managed to out-sprint Carapaz at the top of a climb, taking the first five polkadot points of the day and temporarily overtaking Tadej Pogacar in the standings. Later, Paret-Peintre again took ten points, with Carapaz in second, placing Carapaz second in the mountains classification and Pogacar third.
The narrow roads on the climbs have created a challenging environment for the riders, with the peloton snaking in a line against a mountainous backdrop. Despite the efforts of the breakaway, teams like UAE Team Emirates XRG are working to prevent the lead from extending too much, with the gap not exceeding 3min 20secs at one point. Mads Pedersen, currently leading the green jersey standings, is also part of the lead group and is expected to add to his points total at the intermediate sprint located at 38.6km to go.
Team Concerns and Historical Context
Concerns have emerged regarding the health of Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates XRG, which has reportedly been affected by a virus since Monday’s rest day. This follows the abandonment of Brandon McNulty on stage 18 and visible struggles from teammates like Adam Yates, who has been dealing with illness for several days, and Tim Wellens and Florian Vermeersch. Wellens indicated that other riders were unwell and reported having a sore throat. Despite these challenges, Pogacar expressed confidence in his team’s ability to manage, stating, “I think we can manage. It’s the third week, all the teams are suffering.”
The Alpe d’Huez climb holds significant history in the Tour de France, having first appeared in 1952 when Fausto Coppi won stage 10 and subsequently the general classification. The climb is famous for its 21 hairpins, with the seventh bend known as Dutch Corner, a popular spot for Dutch supporters. The record for the climb, set by Marco Pantani in 1997, stands at 37 minutes and 35 seconds. The 2026 Tour de France will visit Alpe d’Huez twice, with the second ascent occurring the day after stage 19.
The stage 19 route, covering 127.9km from Gap to l’Alpe d’Huez, is designed to be a prestigious mountain stage finish. The initial 25km over the Cols Bayard and du Noyer are challenging enough to allow a strong breakaway to establish itself. Following this, there are 60km until the Col d’Ornon, where the main contenders are expected to make their moves. The 21 hairpins to the finish are anticipated to favor pure climbers, such as Netcompany’s Thymen Arensman, a double stage winner from the previous year.
The uncertainty surrounding the health of Pogacar’s team could influence race dynamics, even with his substantial lead of 4m 32s over Remco Evenepoel. While Pogacar is capable of navigating the final stages, the absence of a fully fit team makes an aggressive attack on Alpe d’Huez riskier. The stage is set for an explosive start, with the peloton reportedly sensing an opportunity.
The 2026 Tour de France will feature Alpe d’Huez on stage 19.
Source: theguardian.com
