The Tour de France 2026 will feature a 128km stage from Gap to Alpe d’Huez as Stage 19. This stage marks the first of two consecutive finishes at the summit of Alpe d’Huez, with Stage 19 being the only one to cover the full climb. The relatively short distance of 128km suggests a potentially fast-paced and challenging race from start to finish.
The race has seen some developments within teams, with UAE reportedly experiencing issues. Brandon McNulty is no longer with the team, and some of his teammates are affected by sickness. These factors could influence how other General Classification teams approach this demanding stage, prompting strategic decisions on whether to maintain their current tactics or adapt.
Alpine Challenges and Team Strategies
The Tour de France 2026 includes three significant days in the Alps. Stage 18, which concluded at Orcieres-Merlette after a 185.2km route, was considered less taxing than the upcoming roads to Alpe d’Huez on Friday and Saturday. Tadej Pogacar currently holds a lead of 4 minutes and 32 seconds over Remco Evenepoel in the overall standings.
Pogacar, a four-time winner, is in a strong position to potentially secure a fifth Tour de France victory. He is also looking to add to his stage wins, further impacting Mark Cavendish’s record. Stage 18 featured an early ascent with the category one Cote d’Engins, and a breakaway group of around 20 riders was expected to establish a significant lead over three lower-category climbs before the final 7.1km ascent to the finish.
While Pogacar is a strong contender for mountain stages, Stage 18 presented an opportunity for an escape group to succeed. Riders such as Richard Carapaz, Davide Piganzoli, Tobias Johannessen, Luke Plapp, and Valentin Paret Peintre were considered likely candidates for a breakaway victory. Orcieres-Merlette, though not as renowned as Alpe d’Huez, has a notable history in the Tour, with past winners including Luis Ocana and Lucien van Impe.
Key Riders and Upcoming Stages
Pogacar previously finished second behind Primoz Roglic at Orcieres-Merlette in the 2020 Tour, the year of his first overall win. He has performed well in previous summit finishes this year, securing both a first and a second place. There was speculation that he might have ridden for his teammate Isaac del Toro in one of these instances, potentially sacrificing a personal win. For the upcoming stages, Pogacar is likely to conserve energy for the demanding challenges of Alpe d’Huez.
The terrain of Stage 18, including its finish, was not the most challenging in the Alps, making it suitable for a breakaway. The Orcieres-Merlette climb is 7.1km long with an average gradient of 6.7 per cent. This contrasts with the summit finish on Sunday, which is 11.3km at a 9.1 per cent gradient, making it more feasible for breakaway riders to maintain their lead.
Richard Carapaz was identified as a strong prospect for Stage 18. He is currently 12th in the overall standings, posing no threat to the podium contenders. As the highest-placed rider for EF Education-Easypost, a team known for its active stage-hunting, Carapaz has shown his capabilities by being clear on the final climb in earlier stages of this Tour. He has also placed in the top 12 on four of the tougher stages, and the shorter finish of Stage 18 was expected to benefit him. The Tour de France 2026 began on Saturday, July 4, in Barcelona and is scheduled to conclude on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Sunday, July 26.
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Source: cyclingmole.com
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As News-GB's Sports Reporter, Megan Sinclair reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name interviewing rising British talent. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Edinburgh and completed an NCTJ diploma. Megan lives in Edinburgh, where she plays club tennis and follows track athletics. “Give the athletes room and the story tells itself.”