Tadej Pogacar surged to victory on stage three of the Tour de France, claiming his first yellow jersey of 2026 as the race battled wildfire restrictions and extreme heat. The stage to Les Angles was held without the usual publicity caravan and with minimal spectators due to fire risks in the eastern Pyrenees. Organisers confirmed that stage four, from Carcassonne to Foix, will proceed despite forecasts of over 40C (104F).
Pogacar dominates stage three
Pogacar's UAE team controlled the closing kilometres, reeling in escapee Alex Baudin to set up the Slovenian for his 22nd Tour stage win. He outpaced Jonas Vingegaard with a trademark explosive acceleration, tying on time but taking the overall lead on stage victory. "We love to race and we're here to race for the victory," Pogacar said. "We saw there was a possibility to go for the stage and take yellow and that's exactly what happened."
Wildfire restrictions empty crowds
The finish at Les Angles, a remote village near the final climb, was nearly deserted. Cafes and bars were empty, giving the area a ghost-town feel. Mayor Michel Poudade criticised the safety measures as excessive. "It's sad and disappointing," he said. "We expected 20 to 25,000 people. That's all gone. Businesses here are going to really lose out." He noted no compensation had been offered, though the Tour may plan a return.
Heatwave poses logistical challenges
Pogacar described the heatwave as a "logistical nightmare," with teams struggling to keep riders cool. "When it's hot, we put a lot of effort into bringing water and ice up to the riders," he said. "Cooling is really important. It's dangerous if you don't keep your body temperature down." Temperatures up to 41C (105.8F) are expected in Languedoc-Roussillon, affecting upcoming stages to Foix and Pau.
Stage four confirmed despite risks
The local prefecture reiterated that rider and public safety is the priority. Stage four, a 182km route through the afternoon heat, is scheduled to go ahead. French authorities have granted permission to cancel stages only in "exceptional" conditions. Sixty-one French regions are on orange heatwave alert.
Pogacar dismisses record talk
Pogacar's 22nd stage win sparked discussion of closing on Mark Cavendish's record of 35 wins, but the Slovenian dismissed it. "It's still far away. Maybe today was my last victory ever. I prefer to stay in the moment," he said. "I don't want to think about Mark's record. Just go with the flow."
