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According to live race tracking from the stage, Tadej Pogačar leads the 2024 Tour de France general classification ahead of a brutal alpine stage featuring the legendary Alpe d’Huez. Riders face 128 kilometers of racing with four categorized climbs, including the Col Bayard, Col du Noyer, Col d’Ornon, and the iconic final ascent.
Tadej Pogačar Defends Yellow Jersey Into the Alps
According to the official Tour standings after the 18th stage, Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates-XRG leads the general classification with a time of 64:35:13. Remco Evenepoel of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe sits in second place, 4 minutes and 32 seconds behind the yellow jersey, according to race records. Isaac Del Toro holds third place at 6:51, giving UAE Team Emirates-XRG a strong tactical presence near the top of the leaderboard.
Pro Tip: Stage 19 packs vertical meters into just 128 kilometers, forcing GC contenders to manage their energy carefully before the final slopes of Alpe d’Huez.
Climbing Strategy and Mountain Classification Battles
According to race updates, the stage begins immediately with the ascent of the Col Bayard, a category-two climb measuring 4.7 kilometers at 7.2%. Valentin Paret-Peintre of Soudal Quick-Step captured 5 points at the summit of Col Bayard, narrowly edging out Richard Carapaz of EF Education-Easypost to take the virtual lead in the polka dot jersey competition.
Following the Col Bayard, riders face the category-one Col du Noyer, measuring 7.2 kilometers at 8.5%. The route then descends into a 70-kilometer rolling section before tackling the Col d’Ornon, a category-two climb stretching 5.4 kilometers at 6.4%, according to course profiles.
The Legend of Alpe d’Huez
According to the stage route, the day concludes on the historical Alpe d’Huez, rated as a hors catégorie (beyond category) climb spanning 13.8 kilometers at 8.1%. Teams like Lidl-Trek and Visma-Lease a Bike have animated the day’s breakaways, while sprinters like Madse Pedersen target intermediate time checks to secure the green jersey before reaching Paris.
Did You Know?
Alpe d’Huez is famous for its serpentinami.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the Tour de France general classification?
According to the post-stage 18 standings, Tadej Pogačar leads the race with a total time of 64:35:13.
How long is Stage 19 of the Tour de France?
According to race route details, the stage covers 128 kilometers and features four major mountain climbs.
What is the final climb of the stage?
According to stage organizers, the stage finishes atop Alpe d’Huez, a 13.8-kilometer climb averaging 8.1%.
Explore More: Check out our complete coverage of the Tour de France, including daily stage breakdowns, GC standings, and exclusive rider interviews. Leave a comment below with your prediction for the winner on Alpe d’Huez!
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