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The Tourmalet Broke the Race, But the Descent May Have Won Tadej Pogačar the Tour de France

Pogačar’s solo ascent and descent on Stage 10 cement his Tour de France dominance—while rivals crumble.

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The brief

Tadej Pogačar secured his third stage victory in the 2026 Tour de France with a commanding solo climb and descent on Stage 10, extending his lead over rivals. The brutal ascent of the Tourmalet mountain pass shattered challengers’ momentum, but his tactical descent reportedly sealed his advantage. Coverage highlights his ability to exploit both climbing and descending phases to widen the gap.

Outlets including *10tv.com*, *The Guardian*, *Cyclingnews*, and *Outside Magazine* emphasize Pogačar’s tactical brilliance, framing the stage as a turning point. Analysis focuses on how his descent strategy—often overlooked—may have been decisive. The *Guardian* and *Cyclingnews* note the psychological impact on competitors, while *Outside Magazine* dissects the technical execution of the descent.

Watch for Pogačar’s overall lead to grow further as the race progresses, particularly if rivals fail to recover from Stage 10’s losses. Speculation may arise about whether his dominance will hold through the Pyrenees or Alps, depending on how other teams regroup. Coverage will likely scrutinize his time-trial performance in later stages, where descending precision could again play a role.

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Quick answers

How much time did Pogačar gain on Stage 10?

Coverage does not yet specify the exact time gap, but sources describe it as significant enough to demoralize rivals and extend his overall lead.

Which mountains were featured in Stage 10?

The stage included the Tourmalet, a notorious climb in the Pyrenees, followed by a descent that outlets suggest was pivotal to Pogačar’s victory.

Are there other riders still in contention?

While Pogačar’s lead is growing, coverage implies rivals remain in the race, though their ability to recover from Stage 10’s losses will determine their competitiveness.