Key information on Stage 19 of the 2026 Tour de France
- Friday 24 July: Gap – Alpe d’Huez
- 127.9 kilometres, 3,500 metres of elevation gain (mountain finish)
- Mountain classifications: km 4.8 (Category 2), km 25.2 (Category 1), km 99.2 (Category 2), km 127.9 (HC)
- Intermediate sprint: 89.4 km
- Start: 2.00 pm, Finish: approx. 5.24 pm
- Live updates and results
The route of the 19th stage of the Tour de France
With the 19th stage covering just 128 kilometres, there isn’t much time to get into your stride. And so, straight from the sharp start in Gap, the route climbs to the day’s first mountain classification, the Col de Bayard (2nd category). After climbing the first 300 metres of elevation gain of the day there, a short descent is followed by the next challenge at the Col du Noyer (Category 1). With a length of 7.2 kilometres and an average gradient of 8.5 per cent, this is where things really start to get tough for the first time today.
For the next 25 kilometres, however, the route then leads downhill to Lac du Sautet and on to Corps, where the route crosses that of the previous day; the intermediate sprint was held here on Stage 18. This time, the intermediate sprint takes place 35 kilometres further on in Le Périer, at a similar altitude of around 900 metres above sea level. However, the terrain begins to climb again from there, as the Col d’Ornon (2nd category) awaits the riders. After the summit, the route leads down to Le Bourg d’Oisans.
And that’s where the finale begins, as this small village of 2,600 inhabitants is the gateway to one of the Tour de France’s most legendary climbs. Over 13.8 kilometres, with an average gradient of 8.1 per cent, the route winds its way up through 21 hairpin bends to the winter sports resort of Alpe d’Huez (HC category).
A sporting analysis of Stage 19 of the 2026 Tour de France
Although there are certainly stage finishes that have featured far more frequently in the route than Alpe d’Huez – which is now being tackled for the 32nd time – there is hardly a place more legendary. At least not when the finish is approached via Le Bourg d’Oisans – as is the case on this stage. The last two winners here were British riders, Geraint Thomas (2018) and Tom Pidcock (2022), the latter even winning as a breakaway rider.
That’s unlikely to happen this time. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) has already won a great deal, but not yet at Alpe d’Huez. He too wants to add the legendary climb to his collection. Even though his team is now – if not decimated, then certainly – significantly weakened, he will do everything in his power to contest the stage win here, keeping any breakaway riders on a tight leash.
There is also a record to be broken. The fastest time for the 13.8-kilometre climb is still held by Marco Pantani: 36 minutes and 50 seconds, set in 1995. The fact that this stage is short – and, by Alpe d’Huez standards, relatively easy – suggests that the record is likely to be broken after more than 30 years.
Incidentally, the race for the Tour podium is, of course, still very much on. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) is by no means certain of second place, whilst Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) and Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates – XRG) will continue to push each other to their limits in the battle for the white jersey. And that’s exactly what’s needed to be in contention for the top places on Alpe d’Huez.
