Tadej Pogacar enters the high mountain stages of the 2026 Tour de France on July 18 and 19 with a commanding lead, but the Vosges and Jura ranges are designed to break even the strongest riders. Stage 14 (Mulhouse to Le Markstein) and Stage 15 (Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison) will feature significant cumulative elevation, providing the primary opportunity for rivals like Tom Pidcock to disrupt the yellow jersey’s dominance before the race hits the final week.
For those tuning in, both stages begin at 13:10 local time. Stage 14 is expected to wrap around 17:24, while Stage 15 should conclude near 17:41. Viewers can catch the action on RTVE, RTVE Play, and La 2/La 1 in Spain, or via Eurosport on platforms including Movistar Plus, HBO Max, and DAZN.
The Vosges Gauntlet: Breaking the Pogacar Rhythm
Saturday, July 18, isn’t just another day in the saddle; it’s a 155.3-kilometer tactical puzzle. The route from Mulhouse to Le Markstein packs 3,790 meters of vertical gain into a relatively short distance, meaning the legs will never truly find a resting point. While the stage kicks off on flat terrain, the serenity ends quickly after the intermediate sprint.
The first real test is the Grand Ballon, a 21.5-kilometer climb averaging 4.8%. It’s a steady grind that serves as a wake-up call before the riders hit the Col du Page and the legendary Ballon d’Alsace. The latter is a piece of cycling history, famously the first mountain ever climbed in the Tour back in 1905. At 8.9 kilometers with a 6.9% average grade, it’s a brutal reminder of the race’s origins.
However, the real damage will likely happen on the Col du Haag. This 11.2-kilometer ascent at a 7.3% average grade is the “main course” of the day. Because the finish line at Le Markstein follows a slight descent after the summit, the Col du Haag becomes the primary launchpad for any rider daring enough to attack Pogacar. The yellow jersey has looked untouchable, but the steep gradients of the Vosges are where a momentary lapse in concentration turns into a gap that can’t be closed.
The Jura Gamble and the Uncharted Plateau de Solaison
If Saturday is about endurance, Sunday, July 19, is about raw power and unpredictability. The 183.9-kilometer trek from Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison introduces a “category special” climb that has never been used in the Tour before. When a race organizer introduces an inédito (unseen) climb, it strips away the advantage of historical data and forces riders to rely on pure instinct.
The day starts with the Côte des Rousses, a third-category climb hitting at kilometer 37, but the real suffering begins 100 kilometers later. The peloton will face the El Salève – Col de la Croisette, a short but violent 4.7-kilometer burst at 11.2%, followed immediately by the Alto de Mont (2.1 km at 8.3%).
The climax is the Plateau de Solaison. This 11.3-kilometer beast averages a punishing 9% gradient. It’s a climber’s paradise and a GC leader’s nightmare. Interestingly, this specific mountain was a focal point in the recent UCI World Tour preparations during the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (formerly the Critérium du Dauphiné), where Isaac del Toro—Pogacar’s own teammate—claimed victory. Del Toro’s success there provides UAE Team Emirates with a tactical blueprint on how to defend the jersey on this specific terrain.
The Pidcock Factor and the Fight for the Podium
While the world is watching Pogacar, the real drama is brewing just behind him. Tom Pidcock has clawed his way back into fourth place, and his recent form suggests he isn’t satisfied with just being a “top five” finisher. Pidcock’s versatility makes him dangerous; he can survive the climbs and outpace almost anyone on a technical descent.
The battle for the podium is now a game of mathematical desperation. With the high mountains of the Jura and Vosges offering massive time gaps, Pidcock is the most likely candidate to disrupt the status quo. If he can isolate Pogacar or force a mistake on the Plateau de Solaison, the general classification could shift violently.
The strategic depth here is immense. We aren’t just seeing a race of legs, but a race of lungs and psychology. The Tour de France is often won in the Alps or Pyrenees, but the “middle” mountains of the Vosges and Jura are where the pretenders are separated from the contenders.
Tactical Breakdown: How to Topple a Titan
To put Pogacar under pressure, his rivals cannot rely on a steady tempo. He thrives on rhythm. The only way to break him is through “explosive” attacks—short, violent bursts of speed on the steepest sections of the Col du Haag or the Plateau de Solaison.
The presence of Isaac del Toro as a tactical lieutenant for Pogacar adds another layer of complexity. Having a teammate who has already conquered the Solaison means Pogacar has a “guide” who knows exactly where the steepest pitches are and where to pinch the pace to shut down attacks. For the rest of the peloton, the goal is simple: create chaos, force the UAE Team Emirates train to burn through their domestiques, and hope that the altitude and lactic acid finally catch up to the man in yellow.
As we head into this weekend, the question isn’t whether Pogacar is the strongest—he almost certainly is. The question is whether the Jura and Vosges can provide a scenario where strength isn’t enough. Keep an eye on the descent from the Col du Haag; that’s where the race could truly ignite.
Do you think Pidcock has the legs to crack the top three this weekend, or is Pogacar simply operating on a different planet this year? Let us know in the comments.
