Pogacar Dominates Stage 13 Time Trial to Extend Tour de France Lead

Tadej Pogacar delivered another commanding performance at the Tour de France on Friday, winning the uphill individual time trial on Stage 13 and significantly extending his overall race lead to more than four minutes.

Racing 10.9 kilometers from the valley floor to the Peyragudes Altiport, the Slovenian champion stunned his rivals by choosing a regular road bike over a specialized time trial model. Despite the unconventional choice, Pogacar was unstoppable, clocking a time that was 36 seconds faster than two-time champion Jonas Vingegaard, who finished second. Primoz Roglic came third, trailing by 1 minute 20 seconds.

“It’s more comfortable and I ride that 95 percent of the year,” said Pogacar, 26, explaining his decision to forgo a time trial bike. “I went without a radio too. There are time clocks along the way, so I just looked at them.”

Riding in the iconic yellow jersey of the overall race leader, Pogacar set a blistering pace from the start. His performance follows a crushing win on Stage 12, where he left his main rivals trailing by more than two minutes. With back-to-back victories, the Team UAE rider now appears firmly on track for a fourth Tour de France title, adding to his triumphs in 2020, 2021, and 2024.

Evenepoel, who was overtaken near the finish by Vingegaard, admitted exhaustion. “I was drained,” the Belgian rider said. “I didn’t give a damn when Jonas went past. I just wanted to finish. I’m relieved it’s over.”

The day’s racing took place in punishing heat, with temperatures hitting 30°C at the foot of the climb. Riders used ice vests to stay cool before tackling the altitude test, which finished at 1,580 meters.

Earlier, Australia’s Luke Plapp had set the benchmark time and held the lead for much of the day before being pushed aside by the top contenders.

Adding a touch of personality, Pogacar had a sticker of the Hulk on his bike, but later said Spider-Man was actually his favorite superhero. “Hulk though, he’s the one you don’t want to make angry,” he joked.

Looking ahead, Stage 14 promises another grueling test with nearly 50 kilometers of climbing, including the legendary Col du Tourmalet, before finishing at the Luchon-Superbagneres ski resort. Rain is forecast, potentially adding another layer of challenge.

Stage 15 heads to the historic walled city of Carcassonne, but Pogacar’s true test will come in the final week, which features three major mountain stages and an unpredictable finale in Paris that includes three ascents of Montmartre’s cobbled climbs.