Tadej Pogacar claimed victory on Stage 18 of the 2026 Tour de France, a 180-kilometer mountain stage culminating in a summit finish at Orcières-Merlette. The Slovenian rider attacked on the final climb, leaving his rivals behind to win by 45 seconds.
Stage Details and Pogacar's Dominance
Stage 18 featured four categorized climbs, including the hors-catégorie Col du Galibier, before the final ascent to Orcières-Merlette. Pogacar launched his decisive move with 6 kilometers remaining, quickly gaining a gap that he maintained to the finish line. The win marked his fourth stage victory in the 2026 edition.
According to race officials, Pogacar's average speed on the final climb was 22.5 km/h, significantly higher than his closest competitors. Jonas Vingegaard, the defending champion, finished second, unable to respond to the acceleration.
Impact on General Classification
With this victory, Pogacar extended his overall lead to 3 minutes and 12 seconds over Vingegaard. “I felt strong today and knew I had to take time where I could,” Pogacar said after the stage. “The team worked perfectly to set me up for the attack.”
The result puts Pogacar in a commanding position heading into the final weekend, with only two stages remaining, including a time trial on Stage 20.
Reactions and Analysis
Vingegaard acknowledged Pogacar's superiority on the stage. “He was simply stronger today. We will keep fighting, but it's going to be difficult to turn this around,” the Danish rider said. The stage also saw significant shifts in the standings for other contenders, with several riders losing over two minutes.
The 2026 Tour de France continues with Stage 19, a medium-mountain stage likely to favor breakaways before the decisive time trial.
