Tadej Pogacar states with a straight face that he had no knowledge of Marco Pantani's Alpe d'Huez record, for this reason
CyclingFriday, 24 July 2026 at 23:36
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleTadej Pogacar has done it: victory on Alpe d'Huez and Marco Pantani's record. The Italian’s seemingly impossible time of 36:50 was shaved down to 35:27 by the powerhouse of modern cycling. Afterward, Pogacar shrugged it off during the press conference.
ADVERTISEMENT
For Pogacar , this marked his fifth stage victory in this Tour de France and his 26th overall. But it was his first on Alpe d'Huez, allowing him to cross another prestigious name off his list—a list he himself says he doesn't actually have.
Read more below the photo!
Tadej Pogacar's press conference after stage 19 of the Tour de France
Tadej, the team has had a few rough days. But the riders believed you could win here on Alpe d'Huez and continued to support you. What does it mean for the team to win here again after a few difficult days?
"It's just like you said: they believed we could win, they never gave up, and... well, it's just really wonderful to see how much this means to them after a few tough days. This victory is truly for the whole team."
"At what point during the climb did you realize you were going to catch up to the leaders (Carapaz and Martinez)? And did they say anything when you passed them?"
"My confidence really returned when I heard on the race radio that the front-runners were starting to attack each other. That's when you know the pace is slowing down. With five kilometers to go, I thought, 'If I keep up this pace, I might catch up to them just before that right-hand turn.'"
I spotted them right by the fences. I saw that they were looking at each other. I knew I could catch up to them, but I also hesitated: was someone perhaps saving energy for the sprint?
Just before that turn, Carapaz launched an attack. I really thought, “Damn it, they’re gone again—I’ll never make it.” But that turned out to be his last burst of energy. Lenny [Martinez] rode incredibly strong; he just stayed right on my wheel. I even thought, “Wow, I can’t even shake him off!”
It wasn't until the very last moment that we caught up with Richard [Carapaz]. Everyone was at their limit. I decided not to wait for a three-way sprint, but to push on about 800 meters from the finish line. I knew the finish well and just gave it my all. This was one of my hardest victories ever. Hats off to the guys in the breakaway; they rode incredibly smart today.'
Read also
Read more below the photo!
How do you approach that from a pacing perspective?
"You see some riders really climbing at their own pace, just to make it to the top. With others, you can feel a good energy; then you exchange a quick glance, nod, or share a brief smile—like with Tejada."
"It gives you a huge boost when you pass one rider after another. But hats off to everyone who was up front, because it was an incredibly tough battle today."
You wanted to break a very old record—Marco Pantani’s. How did you go about it? Did you have a schedule, or did you monitor your power meters?
"To be honest, I didn't even know exactly what the record I was trying to break was. I've been avoiding the news and the internet as much as possible these past few weeks. I don't pay too much attention to that stuff, but when I heard that I had broken a record, I was, of course, incredibly happy."
"Ultimately, I just wanted to ride a good race and win for the guys. And the fact that a record that’s been standing for more than thirty years has finally been broken... well, that’s just amazing for all of us."
In the team car, Matxin was in tears, and Hauptman also called it a dream come true. Can you relate to those emotions?
"He's always so emotional! I'm not like that myself—I don't cry that easily. But it means so much to the team. Not just the victory itself, but also the way we race. The team spirit is fantastic. Even after a few tough days, the atmosphere couldn’t have been better. When you win after that, it’s the ultimate reward, and all those emotions just come pouring out.”
Read also
Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
IDL-productions
Lance Armstrong outraged by Vingegaard and Pogačar doping controversy: ‘2AM is a human rights issue’
2026 Tour de France stage 10 preview | Can Vingegaard repeat his Le Lioran victory over Pogacar?
IDL Pro Cycling Tour de France fantasy league results after week 1. Substitutions now available
Adrie van der Poel delivers the perfect reaction after Mathieu’s Tour de France stage win
Could Tom Pidcock have beaten Mathieu van der Poel with a fully functioning bike at the Tour de France?
Latest Cycling News
2026 Tour de France stage 20 preview | Rain could very well turn the Tour de France upside down
2026 Tour de France Standings | New 5th place on GC and a swing in the polka-dot jersey battle
🎥 Alpe d'Huez at its worst: Einer Rubio crashes into the back of a car and is forced to withdraw from the Tour de France
Visma's Affini suddenly leaves the Tour de France after Alpe d'Huez stage
Pogačar and UAE release illness update ahead of Tour de France stage 19 start: 'Pretty much status quo'
Popular Cycling News
2026 Tour de France fines & penalties | Stage 18 was the 'quiet' ahead of the Alpe d'Huez 'storm' for the jury
2026 Tour de France Standings | New 5th place on GC and a swing in the polka-dot jersey battle
Tour de France Route 2026 | Carapaz electric; now for Pogačar vs the most famous cycling mountain of all time
2026 Tour de France start list & dropouts | Pogačar loses important mountain domestique McNulty
Don't forget, British viewers can watch stage 20 of the Tour de France (Alpe d'Huez) for free on BBC iPlayer
Latest Comments
- - Wow, he broke the climb record—does that mean he was faster than Pantani’s old time? And why does the white jersey matter if he’s already in yellow?pedalpowe2924-07-2026
- - Great read but not sure about “dominant” when Carapaz and Martinez were still in the fight late. Felt more calculated than domineering. Still, record is a record.gearguru3324-07-2026
- - How does the Col de Sarenne change the descent risk vs the classic route? Is it narrower/rougher, or mostly myth at this point?velodromevirtuoso124-07-2026
- - Carapaz and Lenny were brave to hang, but once Adam did that middle-section pull the elastic snapped. Queen stage via Sarenne tomorrow is going to be brutal—5,450m D+ after today’s effort, legs will be cooked.jeremya24-07-2026
- - That was vintage Pogi on Alpe d’Huez. Breaking the climb record on a day that fast from the flag is insane. Yates’ turnaround since the TT is massive for UAE’s depth, too.julien24-07-2026
- - Great reporting. Del Toro’s white jersey defense is flying under the radar—dude was with the favorites! If he keeps that level, he could even sneak a podium on the stage. Vamos, Isaac!michael5424-07-2026
- - Matxin saying “status quo” doesn’t fill me with confidence. Teams always downplay sickness. If rivals light it up on the Croix de Fer, UAE could be isolated early. Still think Pogacar wins the stage though.cadencekingm24-07-2026
- - Wait, I’m a bit confused: if McNulty abandoned on Stage 18 and Wellens barely made the time, does UAE lose domestiques for pacing on Alpe d’Huez? How many helpers can they actually count on for the first two climbs?jennifer1924-07-2026
- - Wild couple of days. If Tim was 2 minutes inside the time cut yesterday after being “not fit,” Alpe d’Huez could crack him. But Pog looks bulletproof and Del Toro riding with the favs says a lot. Key is protecting Yates if he’s still rebounding.robert6524-07-2026
- - If UAE are “sick, weak, and unwell,” why didn’t more GC teams light it up today? Does that mean Alpe d’Huez will be fireworks, or will Pogi still shut it down? Vamos, quiero ver ataques locos en los Alpes!cadencekingm24-07-2026
Loading
