The 2026 Tour de France has entered its thrilling final two days following Stage 19, which featured the shortest mountain routes of this year’s race. Under clear, sunny skies, riders pushed themselves from Gap to the legendary Alpe d’Huez. The stage was capped off by another masterful ride from Tadej Pogacar, who powered to his fifth stage victory of this Tour.
The day’s first significant challenge arrived at the Category 2 climb up Col Bayard. French climber Valentin Paret-Peintre maintained his aggressive form in the hunt for the polka dot jersey, snatching key points.
The peloton then faced the Category 1 ascent of Col du Noyer. Once again, Paret-Peintre launched a determined sprint to the summit and narrowly beat Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz
for another crucial 10 points. However, the effort appeared to take its toll; in a surprising twist, Paret-Peintre faded from the breakaway, suggesting he had reached his limit for the day.
With less than 50 kilometers remaining, a determined group of attackers set the pace, at one point building a gap of over four minutes on the chasing peloton. In the final kilometers of the Alpe d’Huez, Pogacar launched a decisive attack, surging past the leaders to claim the Stage 19 victory.
Here is how the leaderboard looks ahead of Stage 20 of the 2026 Tour de France.
Tour de France results: Stage 19
Final results of the 127.9-kilometer Stage 19 from Gap to Alpe d'Huez, at the 2026 Tour de France on Friday, July 24.
*Results and times are via Tour de France website*
2026 Tour de France standings
Through Stage 19
Watch Tour de France with Peacock
2026 Tour de France jersey leaders after Stage 19
- Yellow (overall race leader): Tadej Pogačar, Slovenia
- Green (points): Mads Pedersen, Denmark
- Polka dot (mountains): Richard Carapaz, Ecuador
- White (young rider): Isaac Del Toro, Mexico
2026 Tour de France Stage 20: How to watch, start time, route and distance
- Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
- Time: Coverage starts at 8 a.m. ET
- Location: Le Bourg d’Oisans to l’Alpe d’Huez
- Distance: 170.9 kilometers (106.2 miles)
- TV: NBC Sports Network
- Streaming: Peacock
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tadej Pogacar delivers a masterful performance to win Stage 19 of the Tour de France
