Tadej Pogacar solidified his dominance in the Tour de France by winning the iconic Alpe d’Huez stage, extending his overall lead to over seven minutes on October 19. The defending champion delivered a record-breaking climbing time of 35 minutes and 26 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Marco Pantani in 1997. Pogacar expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I just wanted to do a good race and to win. A 30-something years record finally broken is good for us.”

The stage was marked by Pogacar's relentless climb, showcasing his metronomic style as he navigated the 21 hairpin bends. He demonstrated exceptional form, proving the old adage that the Tour is often won on the Alpe. Despite a breakaway group leading by nearly four minutes with 25 kilometers remaining, Pogacar closed the gap and overtook them with ease.

Crowds of about 500,000 fans lined the route, adding to the spectacle, with some arriving days in advance. Pogacar's performance left his rivals, particularly Remco Evenepoel, in the dust, as Evenepoel remains in second place but is far from threatening Pogacar’s lead.

Earlier in the race, a significant breakaway formed, including notable names like Richard Carapaz and Adam Yates, who had recently battled illness. However, Pogacar's decisive acceleration 12 kilometers from the summit left his competitors trailing. His victory marked his fifth win in the Tour, with the chance for a sixth on the upcoming “queen” stage, promising more excitement ahead.