Pogačar Tightens His Grip on the Tour: Col du Haag Solo Win Extends Yellow as Evenepoel Climbs to Second

The mountains have arrived at the 2026 Tour de France — and they have only confirmed what the flat stages hinted at. Tadej Pogačar has reasserted his dominance with a stunning solo victory on the Col du Haag, his fourth stage win of this year’s race, extending his lead in the general classification with the finish line in Paris now firmly in sight.

Pogačar goes long

Stage 14 was the statement. Pogačar attacked on the Col du Haag and rode away alone, distancing Jonas Vingegaard and the rest of the GC contenders to take a solo win and put more time into every one of his rivals. It was the kind of long-range assault that has become his signature — and the kind that tends to end a Tour de France as a contest.

Evenepoel strikes back on stage 15

The following day belonged to Remco Evenepoel, who took the stage 15 honours — but even that did not dent the yellow jersey’s advantage. Pogačar retained and further strengthened his overall lead, while Evenepoel’s ride lifted the Belgian to second place overall, displacing Vingegaard from the runner-up spot. Tom Pidcock, meanwhile, has climbed to fourth in the general classification after a strong showing in the high mountains.

The podium fight is the real race

With Pogačar seemingly untouchable at the top, the compelling contest now is for the remaining podium places. Evenepoel has momentum and a stage win; Vingegaard, a two-time champion, will not surrender second place quietly; and Pidcock’s climb up the order has added another name to the mix. Expect fireworks in the final mountain stages as the trio trade attacks.

What’s left

Six stages remain before the race concludes in Paris this coming Sunday. Barring disaster, Pogačar is on course to add another Tour de France title to his palmarès — but the battle behind him should keep the final week very much alive.

Prime Hunt Daily is following every stage, jersey and GC shift through to the Champs-Élysées.