Sharjah24: Slovenia's Tadej Pogačar strengthened his grip on the Tour France after winning Stage 19 with a commanding performance on the iconic Alpe d'Huez climb, following a thrilling comeback in the 127.9-km stage from Gap to Alpe d'Huez in the French Alps, two days before the race concludes in Paris.
Backed by huge crowds, the defending champion erased a deficit of 3 minutes and 30 seconds at the foot of the final climb before launching his decisive attack 12 kilometres from the finish. He gradually reeled in the breakaway riders, including Ecuador's Richard Carapaz and France's Lenny Martinez, overtaking both within the final 800 metres.
The 27-year-old claimed his fifth stage victory of this year's Tour and the 26th of his Tour de France career since making his debut in 2020.
Notably, it was Pogačar's first-ever stage win on Alpe d'Huez, a remarkable milestone for a rider who has dominated professional cycling over the past six years.
Martinez crossed the finish line six seconds behind Pogačar, while Carapaz, winner of Stage 18, finished third, nine seconds adrift.
Pogačar extended his overall lead to more than seven minutes over Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel of Belgium, who finished sixth in the stage, two minutes and 30 seconds behind.
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