Pogačar wins stage 6, takes yellow jersey

Tadej Pogačar delivered a stunning and decisive performance on the first major mountain stage of the 2026 Tour de France, riding solo for 43 kilometers to win stage six and seize the race leader’s yellow jersey. The UAE Team Emirates rider attacked on the legendary Col du Tourmalet and finished in Gavarnie-Gèdre on Thursday, July 9, putting more than two minutes into his closest rival, Jonas Vingegaard.

Pogačar’s victory, his second stage win of this Tour and the 23rd of his career, was built on a dominant team effort. UAE Team Emirates controlled the pace throughout the 186.2-kilometer stage from Pau, setting a brutal tempo on the Col d’Aspin and the hors catégorie Col du Tourmalet. With about five kilometers remaining to the summit of the Tourmalet, teammate Isaac del Toro launched a fierce acceleration that only Pogačar could follow, immediately distancing Vingegaard and the other contenders.

Pogačar then rode clear alone, cresting the Tourmalet with an advantage of approximately 30 seconds over Vingegaard. He extended that lead on the technical descent and throughout the long, grinding final climb to the finish, crossing the line two minutes and 38 seconds ahead of the...