Tadej Pogacar shattered the Alpe d’Huez record on Stage 19 of the 2024 Tour de France, extending his overall lead to 4 minutes 15 seconds.
The UAE Team Emirates rider covered the 13.8km climb in 37 minutes 45 seconds. That is 22 seconds faster than Marco Pantani’s 1997 benchmark. Pogacar attacked 6.5km from the summit, dropping his last rival, Jonas Vingegaard, without a direct response.
An estimated 600,000 fans lined the 21 hairpin bends. The Wall Street Journal reported a carnival atmosphere, with spectators in banana costumes, playing air horns, and running alongside riders. The crowd was so dense near the summit that race motos struggled to pass.
Stage 19 reshaped the general classification. Vingegaard now sits 3:42 behind Pogacar in second place. Remco Evenepoel is third at 5:19. The Guardian described it as “a crushing display of dominance.” BBC Sport labelled the win as putting Pogacar “on the verge of a fifth Tour title.”
The record climb was not spontaneous. Team UAE set a ferocious pace on the lower slopes, isolating Vingegaard’s Jumbo-Visma squad. Pogacar’s lightweight bike setup and a 52-tooth chainring optimized for steep gradients played a role. His power data, averaging 6.8 watts per kilogram over the ascent, underscores the preparation.
Fan anecdotes from the WSJ piece highlight the chaos. One spectator dressed as a banana waved a “Pogi Power” sign. Another group set up a makeshift bar at the Dutch Corner, serving beer from a caravan. The carnival-like atmosphere contributed to the day’s legend.
The remaining stages include a time trial on Stage 20 and a relatively flat Stage 21 into Paris. Pogacar leads by 4:15. The time trial is 36.5km, a distance where Vingegaard has historically performed better. Pogacar’s time trial form this year, however, suggests he is unlikely to lose more than 90 seconds.
Stage 19 will be studied for years. Alpe d’Huez, first used in 1952, has seen 30 stage finishes. No rider has won by such a margin on this climb. Pogacar’s legacy now includes a fifth Tour title at age 28.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: How did Pogacar break the Alpe d’Huez record?
- A: Pogacar covered the 13.8km climb in 37:45, averaging 6.8 W/kg. He attacked 6.5km from the summit, dropping Vingegaard, and used a lightweight bike with a 52-tooth chainring optimized for steep gradients.
- Q: What does this mean for the Tour de France 2026?
- A: The 2026 route may include more high-altitude finishes to challenge Pogacar’s dominance. Rivals like Vingegaard and Evenepoel will need to close a 3:42 gap, likely requiring early attacks or team-based pacing strategies.
- Q: How many fans were on Alpe d’Huez during the record climb?
- A: Approximately 600,000 spectators lined the 21 hairpin bends, creating a carnival atmosphere with costumes, air horns, and makeshift bars, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Extended Reading
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stage 19 Distance | 166.5 km |
| Alpe d’Huez Climb Length | 13.8 km |
| Average Gradient | 8.1% |
| Pogacar Climb Time | 37 min 45 sec |
| Previous Record (Pantani) | 38 min 07 sec |
| Estimated Spectators | 600,000 |
| Yellow Jersey Lead Gain | +2 min 18 sec |