Tour de France leader Pogacar eyes Alpe d'Huez as UAE Team Emirates loses riders to illness

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Tour de France leader Pogacar eyes Alpe d'Huez as UAE Team Emirates loses riders to illness
Pogacar leads Tour de France as Evenepoel targets podium in decisive Alpine stages
ContinuationPogačar leads Tour de France as mountain stages loom in Vosges and Jura
The Tour de France is in its final stages with Stage 19 ending at the iconic Alpe d'Huez on Friday. Tadej Pogacar, the current leader in the general classification, holds a comfortable lead of 4 minutes and 32 seconds over the second-placed Remco Evenepoel.
The stage to Alpe d'Huez is one of the most anticipated of the race, known for its challenging climb and vibrant atmosphere. The 21 hairpin turns of the D211 road are steeped in legend, from the first mountain arrival in Tour history to the unbroken record set in 1995 and the famous Dutch Corner, where fans create a spectacle of noise and color.
However, Pogacar's team, UAE Team Emirates, is facing challenges with several riders, including Brandon McNulty, having to abandon the race due to illness. Despite this, Pogacar remains confident. "I think we will just let ourselves drift. We will get through the stage and try to get to Alpe d'Huez. And then we'll see what we can achieve," he said after Stage 18.
Richard Carapaz of Ecuador won Stage 18 in a solo breakaway, finishing ahead of Switzerland's Mauro Schmid and American Matteo Jorgenson. The stage featured over 3,000 meters of elevation gain, setting the tone for the upcoming mountain stages.
The atmosphere at Alpe d'Huez is expected to be electric, with thousands of fans, particularly from the Netherlands, camping along the route to cheer on the riders. The Dutch presence is so significant that the mountain is often referred to as the "Dutch mountain."
Historically, Alpe d'Huez has been a decisive stage in the Tour de France. Olaf Ludwig, a former winner of the Green Jersey, recalled his experience at Alpe d'Huez, where he nearly faced disqualification but managed to finish within the time limit. Ludwig, who won the Green Jersey in 1990, emphasized the importance of teamwork in cycling, especially during challenging mountain stages.
Pogacar's team is hoping to maintain their lead despite the health issues. "It is already the third week, so all teams have to struggle a bit," Pogacar said. His teammates, including Felix Großschartner and Nils Politt, are performing well, and Isaac del Toro, the current third in the general classification, has been described as "incredible" by Pogacar.
The Tour de France will conclude in Paris on Sunday, with the final stage on the Champs-Élysées.
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