Tadej Pogacar is close to a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title after a dominant victory on stage 19 to Alpe d'Huez. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider significantly extended his lead over rivals, including Remco Evenepoel, who now trails by 7 minutes 11 seconds. Pogacar's win on the iconic climb saw him set a new record time, surpassing Marco Pantani's 1997 record.

Fellow UAE rider Adam Yates played a crucial role, pacing Pogacar on the final climb despite having recently been ill. This support allowed Pogacar to break away from a strong lead group that included Lenny Martinez and Richard Carapaz, who finished second and third respectively. Isaac del Toro remains third overall and leads the young rider classification.

The peloton will face Alpe d'Huez again for the queen stage. Pogacar's performance positions him to join cycling legends like Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx with five Tour de France victories.