Tour de France 2026: Pogacar warns rivals ahead of mountainous 14th stage in the Vosges
The 155 km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein packs 3,800 metres of climbing across four ascents, with the yellow jersey predicting a difficult afternoon for his general classification rivals.
Stage 14 route
The peloton departs Mulhouse at 13:30, with an early intermediate sprint at Wattwiller (km 12) before the road tilts upward. The 155 km parcours features four categorised climbs: the Grand Ballon (21.5 km at 4.8%), the Col du Page (9.8 km at 4.7%), the Ballon d'Alsace (8.9 km at 6.9%), and the final ascent of the Col du Haag (11.2 km at 7.3%). Total elevation gain reaches 3,800 metres. The stage finishes at the Le Markstein ski station.
- Stage start in Mulhouse
- Intermediate sprint at Wattwiller
- 21.5 km climb at 4.8% average gradient
- 9.8 km climb at 4.7%
- 8.9 km climb at 6.9%
- 11.2 km climb at 7.3%, final ascent
- Arrival at Le Markstein Fellering
GC contenders under pressure
After two weeks of racing, the fight for the podium intensifies. Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian world champion in the yellow jersey, holds a commanding lead and appears on course for a fifth Tour victory. He told reporters the stage would be demanding for his rivals.
It will be difficult for the others.
French rider Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM) faces a critical test in the Vosges. Ouest France notes that after little movement in recent days, apart from Tom Pidcock's jump on stage 13, the GC contenders are expected to attack to gain time before the final week. Sunday's stage promises to be even harder, making Saturday's result pivotal.
The climbs in detail
The Grand Ballon, the longest ascent at 21.5 km, opens the sequence with a steady 4.8% gradient. The Col du Page follows at 9.8 km and 4.7%, before the peloton tackles the steeper Ballon d'Alsace (8.9 km at 6.9%). The decisive climb is the Col du Haag, an 11.2 km ascent at 7.3% that makes its Tour debut. Franceinfo suggests the stage could favour a breakaway, unless the overall leaders decide to battle. With three category-1 climbs spread across the route, the terrain offers opportunities for both scenarios.
What the riders say
Pogacar's warning sets the tone. The 20minutes live blog describes the afternoon as "démoniaque" (demonic) and expects the favourites to control the race. Ouest France adds that Pogacar is unlikely to be troubled until Paris, but the battle for the remaining podium places will be fierce.
Looking ahead
The Tour continues on Sunday with another mountain stage, which Ouest France describes as more arduous. The final week will decide the podium, and any time gaps created today could prove decisive. Paul Seixas, in particular, will be measured against the sport's elite as the race enters its decisive phase.
