Tadej Pogačar delivered the first major demonstration of strength at the 2026 Tour de France, attacking on the Col du Tourmalet and leaving his closest rivals more than two minutes behind.

The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider won the 186.2-kilometre sixth stage from Pau to Gavarnie-Gèdre after launching a solo move around 43 kilometres from the finish.

Jonas Vingegaard was unable to follow the acceleration and eventually crossed the line 2 minutes and 38 seconds behind the Slovenian.

Isaac del Toro finished third at 2 minutes and 57 seconds after playing an important role in setting up his teammate’s attack.

Read also: Wimbledon history made as Nosková and Muchová set up all-Czech final

The result returned Pogačar to the yellow jersey and gave him a considerable advantage in the general classification after only six stages.

UAE launch attack on the Tourmalet

UAE Team Emirates-XRG steadily increased the pace during the first serious mountain stage of the race, reducing the group of overall contenders on the slopes of the Tourmalet.

Del Toro moved to the front before Pogačar attacked with just under six kilometres remaining to the summit.

Vingegaard did not attempt to follow the initial acceleration and instead settled into his own rhythm behind the defending champion.

Read also: Mourinho bids emotional farewell to Benfica before Real Madrid return

Pogačar quickly opened a gap and reached the summit approximately 30 seconds ahead of the Dane.

Rather than waiting for the final climb, he continued to press his advantage on the descent and the approach to Gavarnie-Gèdre.

According to The Guardian’s report from stage six, the gap continued to grow during the final kilometres as Pogačar completed one of the most dominant rides of his Tour career.

He crossed the line alone in 4 hours, 32 minutes and seven seconds to claim the 23rd Tour de France stage victory of his career.

Read also: Haaland sparks media frenzy before England quarter-final

Plan formed before the stage

The attack was not an impulsive decision.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG had discussed an aggressive approach after the previous day’s stage into Pau, with the riders and staff agreeing that the Tourmalet offered an opportunity to test Vingegaard from distance.

Team manager Mauro Gianetti confirmed that the intention had been to commit fully rather than wait for the final climb.

Pogačar said the enthusiasm within the team had grown during the evening before the stage, with Tim Wellens encouraging the riders to visualise how the race might unfold.

Read also: Marciniak overlooked again as FIFA confirms World Cup quarter-final referees

“Tim Wellens is always like that,” Pogačar told TV 2 Sport. “He wants to visualise what is going to happen.”

“There was a lot of excitement about today, and we wanted to go all in. What was the worst that could happen? We were only going to follow one plan, and then whatever happened, happened.”

As described in Welt’s account of the stage, Pogačar was so excited by the plan that he woke earlier than usual on the morning of the race.

“I woke up far too early today, at seven in the morning,” he said. “I simply couldn’t sleep any longer because I was looking forward to the day so much.”

Read also: Gianni Infantino faces World Cup investigation that could threaten his FIFA presidency

Pogačar anticipated Vingegaard response

Pogačar was not surprised when Vingegaard chose to ride at his own pace rather than immediately respond to the attack.

The Slovenian recalled a similar tactical situation during the 2023 Tour de France, when he attacked near the summit of the Col de Joux Plane on the stage to Morzine.

Vingegaard initially allowed a gap to form on that occasion before gradually riding back to Pogačar close to the summit.

“He has used that strategy a couple of times before,” Pogačar said.

“I remember the stage that Carlos Rodríguez won in Morzine, when I also attacked and Jonas did not chase immediately. He rode at his own pace and caught me again close to the top.”

This time, however, Vingegaard was unable to reduce the deficit.

Although he limited his losses on the remaining section of the Tourmalet, the gap widened considerably on the descent and final ascent.

Vingegaard refuses to concede

Vingegaard finished second on the stage but was unable to hide his disappointment after losing more than two and a half minutes.

“Of course I am disappointed,” he said.

However, the Visma-Lease a Bike leader insisted that the battle for the yellow jersey was not over.

“I still believe my legs will improve as the race continues,” Vingegaard said. “The fight is not finished.”

Pogačar now leads the Danish rider by 2 minutes and 42 seconds in the general classification.

Del Toro sits third at 3 minutes and 27 seconds, giving UAE Team Emirates-XRG two riders on the provisional podium.

Remco Evenepoel is fourth, while Juan Ayuso completes the top five.

The official Tour de France classification confirmed the size of the time gaps after a stage that transformed the battle for overall victory.

First major blow in battle for yellow

Pogačar’s performance was especially significant because it came on the first major mountain stage of the race.

The Tour still contains several difficult tests, including a time trial and consecutive finishes on Alpe d’Huez during the final week.

Vingegaard therefore retains opportunities to recover the time he lost in the Pyrenees.

Nevertheless, the scale of Pogačar’s advantage has altered the balance of the race far earlier than many expected.

UAE’s decision to attack from the Tourmalet rather than waiting for the final climb placed every rival under pressure and demonstrated the strength of the team surrounding the yellow jersey.

The plan carried an obvious risk, but Pogačar’s form ensured that it became a decisive success.