Tadej Pogačar Tightens Grip on Tour de France With Commanding Stage 10 Victory

LE LIORAN, France — Tadej Pogačar delivered another statement performance at the Tour de France, claiming victory in Stage 10 and further strengthening his hold on the coveted yellow jersey. The four-time champion now holds a commanding advantage over his closest rivals, reinforcing his status as the overwhelming favorite to capture a historic fifth Tour title.

If Pogačar succeeds, he will join cycling legends Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Jacques Anquetil, and Bernard Hinault as the only riders to win the Tour de France five times.

"You never know how long moments like these will last," Pogačar said after the stage. "I'm just grateful to be racing in the biggest cycling event in the world."

The 27-year-old Slovenian once again showcased his explosive climbing ability, launching a decisive attack just under 1,000 yards from the summit of the Col de Pertus, the penultimate climb of the demanding mountain stage.

His biggest rival, Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard, was unable to respond as Pogačar accelerated away from the favorites' group. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader quickly reeled in Ecuador's Richard Carapaz before overtaking him near the summit, continuing to build his advantage over the final kilometers.

At the top of the climb, Pogačar held a five-second lead over Carapaz and an 18-second cushion over a chasing group that included Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, Florian Lipowitz, Juan Ayuso, and rising French talent Paul Seixas.

Rather than easing off, Pogačar continued to push relentlessly toward the finish line. He crossed 32 seconds ahead of Evenepoel to secure his 24th career Tour de France stage victory, his third win on France's Bastille Day, and already his third stage victory in this year's race.

Seixas thrilled the home crowd by finishing third, 34 seconds behind the winner, while Vingegaard crossed the line 44 seconds adrift, allowing Pogačar to extend his overall lead to 3 minutes and 36 seconds after ten stages — the largest advantage he has ever held at this point in a Tour de France.

UAE Team Executes Perfect Race Plan

Pogačar credited much of the victory to the outstanding work of his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammates, who expertly controlled the race throughout the day.

Even when a large breakaway group of 31 riders, featuring Mathieu van der Poel, escaped early in the stage, Pogačar's team remained composed and never allowed the gap to become dangerous.

Spain's Javier Romo briefly rode solo before being reeled in by the peloton. Carapaz then launched an ambitious attack, but his effort proved short-lived once Pogačar unleashed his trademark acceleration on the Col de Pertus.

"The team did an incredible job today," Pogačar said. "We identified this stage as a target a long time ago."

The Slovenian also reflected on his previous experience at Le Lioran, where Vingegaard defeated him in 2024.

"Two years ago Jonas beat me here fair and square," Pogačar recalled. "Today my legs were completely exhausted at the finish as well."

Despite the deafening atmosphere created by thousands of fans lining the climb, Pogačar admitted he could barely hear his team radio during the decisive moments.

"I couldn't hear anything because of the crowd. Honestly, I didn't realize I had the stage win secured until the final kilometer."

Although some spectators booed during the race, Pogačar brushed off the criticism with a smile.

"To the people who were booing," he said, "they only give us even more power."

With another dominant mountain victory and a substantial lead in the general classification, Pogačar continues to look increasingly unstoppable as the Tour de France heads into its decisive stages.