Tadej Pogacar soars back into yellow with devastating attack on the Tourmalet to win Tour de France Stage 6 ahead of Jonas Vingegaard

Tour de France
Stage 6 | Mountain | Men | 09.07.2026
Finished
PauGavarnie-Gèdre
1
T. Pogacar
Slovenia
SLO
2
J. Vingegaard
Denmark
DEN
3
I. Del Toro
Mexico
MEX
Live
Live Updates
  • All
  • Highlights
17:43
Article
17:43
Article
PEERLESS POGACAR PULVERISES RIVALS TO MOVE BACK INTO YELLOW AFTER TOURMALET MASTERCLASS
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) set a new climbing record on the Col du Tourmalet before soloing to glory in Gavarnie-Gedre to win Stage 6 in the Pyrenees and move back into the yellow jersey.
Overnight race leader Torstein Traeen (Uno-X Mobility) still had 11km to ride when the Slovenian world champion crossed the line to secure the 23rd Tour stage win of his illustrious career. Dropped a third of the way up the Tourmalet, Norway’s Traeen crashed on the descent and eventually came home the best part of half an hour down after a second day in yellow that he will never forget – for all the wrong reasons.
But Traeen was far from alone in being cast in the shade of the world’s best cyclist. As the unrelenting sun continued to beat down on the peloton and the mercury pushed 40 degrees Celsius in south-west France, Pogacar put a whopping 2’38” into his big rival Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), who crossed the line a distant second after a sobering day in the Pyrenees.
The winner of the previous two Grand Tours, Vingegaard saw his 2023 record ascent of the Tourmalet comprehensively shattered by Pogacar, who reached the summit in a time of 43’12” – 2’20” faster than the Dane during his second victorious Tour, a distant three years ago when his Slovenian foil still appeared to have chinks in his armour.
picture

'The best bike rider in the world devours the biggest bike race in the world'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Pogacar made his move 43km from the finish of Stage 6 with another 5km of the legendary Tourmalet left to climb. After pulls by his UAE team-mates Tim Wellens, Felix Grossschartner, Brandon McNulty and Adam Yates, Mexico’s Isaac del Toro launched with Pogacar in his wheel, shattering the select group of race favourites.
By this point, Traeen was already well off the back thanks to the infernal pace being set by UAE from the outset of the climb, the fourth and largest of five categorised peaks in the 182km ride from Pau.
An early break saw Victor Campenaerts (Visma) being joined by Huub Artz (Lotto-Intermarche) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) off the front, with Dutchman Artz soon dropping back after a petty dispute with the commissaires over the position of his hands on the handlebars.
Pedersen held on to win the intermediate sprint and consolidate his lead in the green jersey standings before the duo were swept up amid the flurry of attacks that rained down during the two lower-category climbs either side of the sprint.
Australia’s Ben O’Connor (Jayco-AlUla) enjoyed a brief foray off the front before being swept up as UAE started to assume control on the Col d’Aspin, where French duo Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious) and Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step) edged clear near the summit to take a share of the KOM points.
This minor skirmish for polka dot points soon looked absurd when UAE used their armoury of uphill talent to whittle down the yellow jersey group to just a dozen riders on the Tourmalet, further exposing Vingegaard who, at this point, only had Sepp Kuss and Davide Piganzoli with him. The dominance continued once Traeen was spat out the back, with Del Toro delivering what seemed to be the killer blow.
picture

'The terrible twosome!' - Pogacar and Del Toro light up Tourmalet to leave Vingegaard in trouble

Video credit: TNT Sports

With Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe duo Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz unable to respond along with Juan Ayuso and Mattias Skjelmose of Lidl-Trek, French prodigy Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) and Vingegaard tried to stay in touch with Pogacar – but instead decided to ride their own tempo for fear of blowing up.
Pogacar held a 30-second gap over Vingegaard as he crested the summit and assumed control of the polka dot jersey competition, with Seixas a bit further back in pursuit with Del Toro and Lipowitz.
The chase group grew on the descent as the likes of Evenepoel, Ayuso, Skjelmose and Martinez returned to the fold – but it was only ever going to be a fight for third place. For Vingegaard – stuck in no-man’s land behind his great rival – it was never more than a battle for second, such was the gulf that separated two riders who, between them, have won the previous six editions of the Tour.
Taking no prisoners, Pogacar put another minute into his rival on the descent, while Traeen’s day went from bad to worse further back when the Norwegian touched wheels with his team-mate Anders Johannessen and hit the deck on a tight corner.
picture

Yellow jersey Traeen crashes after clipping team-mate's wheel on Tourmalet descent

Video credit: TNT Sports

Already conceding his entire eight-minute advantage to the world champion at this point, Traeen took a while to get back on his bike and gingerly continue his descent. The 30-year-old had barely started the final Cat. 2 climb to Gavarnie-Gedre by the time Pogacar crossed the line for the latest in a career of emphatic solo breakaway wins.
Vingegaard held on for a distant second before Del Toro won the sprint for third ahead of Evenepoel and Seixas as the chasers crossed the line 2’57” behind. Tied for time with Vingegaard the best part of eight minutes down on GC going into the stage, Pogacar now leads the Dane by 2’42” with Del Toro in third at 3’27”.
Such is the chasm in the general classification that the last rider to win the Tour before the Pogacar-Vingegaard duopoly – Colombia’s Egan Bernal of Netcompany INEOS – is now over nine minutes down and in 11th place. This after just the first major mountain stage of the Tour and on the eve of what might be the first proper bunch sprint of the race.
Stage 7 sees the riders head to Bordeaux from Hagetmau in a 175km stage that only features 750 metres of vertical gain – just what the doctor ordered if you are anyone except the man whose grip on yellow looks impenetrable.
16:54
Quote
16:54
Quote
POGACAR SENDS HIS THOUGHTS TO TRAEEN AFTER HIS CRASH
Asked whether that was one of his best wins, Tadej Pogacar said:
I think top five, I would say. I had flashbacks to the stage on the Tourmalet in 2023 when I broke my hand. I got a lot of flashbacks with similar finishes. But, yeah, a really incredible victory – one of the sweetest for sure.
Was it planned for UAE to ride so hard on the Tourmalet?
Yesterday, on the bus, we were talking about today’s stage and today I woke up at 7am and my mind was already excited about today’s stage. We were all really hyped for the stage – we decided that if we really went for it, we would have nothing to lose. In the end, we succeeded and I’m super-proud of our crazy teamwork. In my mind, I was not calculating any seconds or minutes – I just wanted to go all the way to the finish full gas.
And on Torstein Traeen, Pogacar wished the Norwegian all the best:
I didn’t think I’d take the yellow jersey today.  I heard that Torstein Traeen crashed on the descent of the Tourmalet – it was a pretty bad surface. I hope he can recover fast and continue racing. It wasn’t my plan to take the yellow jersey today.
picture

Pogacar after stunning Stage 6 win - 'I woke up at 7am and my mind was going crazy!'

Video credit: TNT Sports


16:43
Jersey - Rainbow
16:43
Jersey - Rainbow
POGACAR RIDING TO HIS 23RD STAGE WIN ON THE TOUR DE FRANCE
Here’s how the new race leader capped a perfect day in the Pyrenees…
picture

'The best bike rider in the world devours the biggest bike race in the world'

Video credit: TNT Sports


16:42
Quote
16:42
Quote
VINGEGAARD: ‘I STILL BELIEVE IN MYSELF’
A blow for the man who has won back-to-back Grand Tours - but Jonas Vingegaard still took the time to talk to reporters and give his reaction to this setback.
It was a very tough day. Not the day I wanted, obviously, but that’s how it is sometimes. They put in a big attack on the Tourmalet and I couldn’t follow. I had to settle into my own pace. Over the top, I wasn’t that far away, but on a downhill like this, it’s not really suited for me. It was not my best day, but that’s how it is. I’m obviously disappointed – I have to be – but sometimes that’s life, and I can’t change it. I still believe in myself. My legs will get better throughout the race.
picture

'Not the day I wanted... but the fight is not over' - Vingegaard on Stage 6

Video credit: TNT Sports


16:36
Jersey - Yellow
16:36
Jersey - Yellow
NEW TOP 11 AFTER POGACAR MASTERCLASS IN STAGE 6
It is fair to say that the battle for yellow appears to be over…
1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +2'42''
3. Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +3'27''
4. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +3'30''
5. Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) +3'34''
6. Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) +3'55''
7. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +4'00''
8. Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious) +4'21''
9. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) +4'57''
10. Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) +7'10''
11. Egan Bernal (Netcompany INEOS) +9'12''
16:27
Podium
16:27
Podium
STAGE 6 RESULT – TOP 10
Just look at those time gaps…
1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +2'38''
3. Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +2'57''
4. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) ”
5. Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) ”
6. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) ”
7. Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) ”
8. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) ”
9. Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) +3'02''
10. Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) +3'06''
16:19
Information
16:19
Information
A DISTANT SECOND PLACE FOR VINGEGAARD, DEL TORO THIRD
Jonas Vingegaard crosses the line around 2’40” down on his rival before Isaac del Toro kicks clear of the chasers and pips Remco Evenepoel for third place, with Paul Seixas completing the top five in what must have been a baptism of fire in the Pyrenees for the French youngster.
16:16
Winner
16:16
Winner
TADEJ POGACAR WINS STAGE 6 WITH PYRENEAN PERFECTION
The best rider in the world is back in yellow after the 23rd Tour de France stage win of his career. He attacked 5km from the summit of the Tourmalet – over 40km from the finish – and then went on to complete the fastest ever ascent of the legendary climb before extending his lead on the descent and on the final climb to the finish here in Gavarnie-Gedre.
A Cannibalistic ride from the Slovenian world champion. The current race leader, Torstein Traeen, is still 11km from the finish...
16:14
Last 01 km
16:14
Last 01 km
FINAL KILOMETRE
Pogacar can take in the scenery and lap up the applause as he goes under the flamme rouge and enters the finish town of Gedre.
16:11
Information
16:11
Information
2KM TO GO: 20 MINUTES NOW FOR TRAEEN
You have to feel for the yellow jersey – dropped early on the Tourmalet, he was going to lose the race lead anyway before he touched wheels with a team-mate and hit the deck on the descent. His losses now are going to be enormous. What a story it would be if the Norwegian can battle back and win a stage later in the race…
picture

Yellow jersey Traeen crashes after clipping team-mate's wheel on Tourmalet descent

Video credit: TNT Sports


16:07
Last 05 km
16:07
Last 05 km
5KM TO GO: TWO MINUTES AND COUNTING
It must be hugely demoralising for Vingegaard here, riding two minutes behind his big rival in the knowledge that second place is perhaps the best he can expect this July.
The time gaps today are representative of how things are in men’s cycling: you have Pogacar on a different level to everyone else, Vingegaard a distant second, and then the other GC hopefuls even further behind.

16:01
Jersey - Rainbow
16:01
Jersey - Rainbow
8KM TO GO: THE GAPS SLOWLY EXTEND
Vingegaard is now 1’50” behind, but holding a 30-second gap over the Seixas chase group. Pogacar is doing the rainbow jersey proud – which is just as well, considering it will be the last time he wears it this month.
15:59
Rain
15:59
Rain
11KM TO GO: WEIRDLY, IT’S STARTED TO RAIN
Now we didn’t expect that – but Pogacar suddenly rides through a downpour. He’s the only one – so far ahead that he’s in a different meteorological timezone. It’s just a quick shower and ends before it’s really got started.
15:57
Question
15:57
Question
13KM TO GO: WILL VINGEGAARD BE CAUGHT BY CHASERS?
The Dane is now 1’28” behind Pogacar with the Seixas-Evenepoel group 2’10” behind the lone leader. Pog’s lead was 30 seconds going over the Tourmalet but he put in another minute on the descent.
15:53
Mountain cat 2
15:53
Mountain cat 2
15KM TO GO: ONTO THE FINAL CLIMB
Amid the drama behind, we missed Pogacar hitting the start of the Cat.2 rise to the finish. It’s 18.7km at 3.7% so it shouldn’t pose any problems for the world champion.
15:52
Information
15:52
Information
17KM TO GO: TRAEEN BACK ON HIS BIKE
But the Norwegian’s GC bid is over. He will lose a load of time today after that nasty spill. Traeen is with Anders Johannessen and they’re able to have a laugh about it and take stock at the situation. But that’s a sad way for his story to end.
The crash appeared to happen on the same bend where Pogacar earlier shouted at the TV motorbike...
picture

'Woah!' – Pogacar shouts at camera bike after close call on Tourmalet descent

Video credit: TNT Sports


15:46
Fall (single)
15:46
Fall (single)
19KM TO GO: CRASH! YELLOW JERSEY HITS THE DECK
Oh no, it goes from bad to worse for Torstein Traeen, who has crashed on a corner on the descent. He’s currently receiving attention from the race doctor and has yet to get back on his bike.
Replays show that he touched wheels with his team-mate Anders Johannessen, who led him into the corner. What a disaster. His fork appears to be broken.

15:43
Injury
15:43
Injury
23KM TO GO: UIJTDEBROEKS ABANDONS
The Belgian has been battling illness since the start of his debut Tour, and he decides to call it quits.

15:41
Information
15:41
Information
25KM TO GO: CHASERS JOIN FORCES
We now have eight riders back together in pursuit of the two men up the road: Del Toro, Kuss, Evenepoel, Lipowitz, Ayuso, Skjelmose, Siexas and Martinez. They’re 1’45” behind Pogacar, who has 55” on Vingegaard as they approach the end of this long descent off the Tourmalet.
15:37
Last 30 km
15:37
Last 30 km
30KM TO GO: POGACAR NOT HAPPY WITH THE MOTO
The world champion shouts at the TV moto which gets a bit too close on the descent. He’s done all the hard work but his lead is still only 43 seconds over Vingegaard, so it’s not yet a done deal.
What is a done deal, however, is the end of Torstein Traeen’s reign in yellow: the Norwegian goes over the top of the Tourmalet 7’38” in arrears, so he’s almost certain to concede the race lead in an hour’s time.