Pogacar storms to fourth stage win on Tour de France stage 14, extends overall lead to 4:30
Tadej Pogacar attacked on the Col du Haag's 16% gradient to solo to victory at Le Markstein, putting 38 seconds into teammate Isaac del Toro and stretching his general classification advantage over Jonas Vingegaard to four minutes and 30 seconds.
Tadej Pogacar delivered another commanding performance on stage 14 of the Tour de France, attacking on the steepest ramps of the Col du Haag to win solo at Le Markstein. The Slovenian's fourth stage victory of the 2026 race stretched his overall lead to four minutes and 30 seconds over Jonas Vingegaard, the largest margin at this point in over a decade.
Pogacar's attack on the Col du Haag
The 155.3-kilometre stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein traversed three category-one climbs in the Vosges mountains. UAE Team Emirates-XRG controlled the peloton, reeling in a six-man breakaway that included Richard Carapaz and Ben Healy. On the final climb, the Col du Haag, Vingegaard himself set a fierce pace to close the gap to the last escapees. But with about 1.5 kilometres of the 11.2-kilometre ascent remaining, where the gradient hit 16%, Pogacar launched his move. He quickly built a 15-second lead, crested the summit 30 seconds clear, and flew down the final five kilometres to finish 38 seconds ahead of teammate Isaac del Toro.
A really perfect day, we marked this stage since the beginning. I know it very well, it is beautiful and an incredible place for cycling.
French teenager Paul Seixas matched Vingegaard on the descent and outsprinted the Dane to take third, claiming the white jersey as best young rider from Juan Ayuso. Vingegaard crossed fourth, 44 seconds down.
Overall standings and the fight for Paris
Pogacar now leads Vingegaard by 4:30, with Remco Evenepoel third at 5:04. The Belgian limited his losses after being dropped on the final climb, rejoining a group with Ayuso and Florian Lipowitz and pacing the descent. Lipowitz finished seventh on the stage and rose to sixth overall. Tom Pidcock, who had been second overall earlier in the day, cracked on the early slopes of the Col du Haag and tumbled to ninth.
- Jonas Vingegaard
- 270 seconds
- Remco Evenepoel
- 304 seconds
Pogacar's victory was the 125th of his career and his 25th Tour stage win, coming on his 500th day as a professional. He is aiming to join Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain as a five-time Tour winner. Mads Pedersen retains the green points jersey, while Pogacar also leads the King of the Mountains classification.
Breakaway drama and weather
The day's escape formed after Jasper Philipsen edged Pedersen at the intermediate sprint. A sextet of Carapaz, Healy, the Johannessen brothers, Einer Rubio and Valentin Paret-Peintre built a lead of nearly three minutes. Carapaz and Healy briefly went off course on the approach to the Ballon d'Alsace but rejoined. Heavy rain on the descent of the Col du Page made roads treacherous, and a deluge flooded the finish area just as UAE began to close down the break. By the time the sun returned, the gap had shrunk to 1:20 at the foot of the Col du Haag, and the catch was inevitable.
- Riders depart Mulhouse for the 155.3 km stage to Le Markstein.
- Jasper Philipsen pips Mads Pedersen for maximum points.
- A sextet including Carapaz, Healy, and Paret-Peintre goes clear.
- Heavy rain and slippery roads on the descent of the Col du Page.
- Carapaz and Healy briefly go off course on the Ballon d'Alsace but rejoin.
- Peloton, driven by UAE, catches the last escapees on the Col du Haag.
- Pogacar launches his move 1.5 km from the summit on a 16% gradient.
- Pogacar crosses the line 38 seconds ahead of teammate Isaac del Toro.
Thanks to all the fans who came to the side of the road. It was really something unforgettable to see all the crowds on the top of the mountain - I've never seen something like this before.
What's next
Sunday's stage 15 is another mountain test, running from Champagnole to the Plateau de Solaisan. The final climb stretches 11.3 kilometres at an average gradient of 9%. With a week of racing remaining, Pogacar's margin appears commanding, but the high Alps still lie ahead. Speculation also links the Slovenian to a debut at this year's Vuelta a España, the only Grand Tour he has yet to win.
