UAE delivers a commanding exhibition in the Vosges.
Le Markstein | July 2026
Tadej Pogačar reinforced his control of the Tour de France with a powerful solo victory in stage 14, while Mexican cyclist Isaac del Toro completed an exceptional performance for UAE Team Emirates-XRG by finishing second.
The 155.3-kilometre mountain stage between Mulhouse and Le Markstein accumulated approximately 3,800 metres of elevation gain across the Vosges, creating one of the most demanding days of the 2026 edition.
Pogačar waited until the final ascent before launching the decisive attack. The Slovenian accelerated on the steepest section of the Col du Haag, approximately 7.5 kilometres from the finish, and immediately opened a gap that none of his principal rivals could close.
He crossed the line alone after four hours of racing, 38 seconds ahead of Del Toro. French teenager Paul Seixas finished third, while Jonas Vingegaard completed the leading group behind them.
The result gave Pogačar his fourth stage victory of the current Tour and the 25th of his career in cycling’s most prestigious race. It also strengthened his position in the yellow jersey and increased his advantage over Vingegaard to four minutes and 30 seconds.
The Slovenian’s victory was constructed through collective control rather than an isolated final acceleration. UAE Team Emirates-XRG managed the pace throughout the decisive climbs, gradually reducing the group of contenders and neutralizing the riders who had formed the day’s principal breakaway.
Richard Carapaz and Valentin Paret-Peintre were among the most active cyclists at the front. Their attacks animated the stage and forced the peloton to respond across the Ballon d’Alsace and the other demanding ascents that defined the route.
Carapaz remained aggressive deep into the stage and received the combativity award for his efforts. However, the Ecuadorian was eventually caught as UAE increased the tempo and prepared the terrain for its leader.
Del Toro played a central role in that strategy. The 22-year-old Mexican remained close to the strongest general-classification riders during the decisive phase and responded when Pogačar launched his attack.
Rather than attempting to pursue his team leader directly, Del Toro maintained a controlled rhythm within the chasing group. His positioning allowed UAE to preserve Pogačar’s advantage while retaining another rider capable of contesting the remaining podium places.
In the final kilometres, Del Toro produced an explosive finish to take second place ahead of Seixas. The result represented one of the most important performances by a Mexican rider in Tour de France history and confirmed his ability to compete with the strongest climbers in the peloton.
The UAE one-two also demonstrated the depth of a team that arrived at the Tour with Pogačar as its undisputed leader but possesses several cyclists capable of influencing the general classification.
Del Toro’s result carries particular significance because he is participating in his first Tour de France. His combination of climbing strength, tactical discipline and acceleration has allowed him to remain competitive during a race in which inexperience can become especially costly.
His role nevertheless remains connected to the team’s central objective: delivering another overall victory for Pogačar. Any individual ambition must be balanced against the responsibility of protecting the yellow jersey during the remaining mountain stages.
Pogačar’s performance suggested that he currently possesses a clear advantage over his principal rivals. Vingegaard attempted to limit his losses but could not follow the Slovenian’s acceleration on the Col du Haag.
The Danish rider remains second overall, although the increasing time difference leaves him with fewer opportunities to reverse the competition. He will need to attack during the remaining mountain stages or produce an exceptional performance in the individual time trial.
Remco Evenepoel continues to occupy third place in the general classification, but the battle immediately behind him intensified considerably during the stage.
Seixas emerged as one of the day’s central figures. At 19, the Frenchman finished third, moved into fourth place overall and claimed the white jersey as the Tour’s leading young rider.
His performance generated enormous enthusiasm among the French spectators gathered along the final climbs. Competing in his first Tour, Seixas demonstrated maturity beyond his age by resisting the pace of established Grand Tour contenders and securing bonus seconds at the finish.
The teenager now stands within striking distance of the overall podium, although the remaining stages will test whether he can sustain his performance through accumulated fatigue and repeated high-mountain efforts.
The stage also affected the secondary classifications. Pogačar’s accumulation of climbing points allowed him to strengthen his position in the mountains competition, while Mads Pedersen retained the green jersey in the points classification.
Weather conditions added another layer of difficulty. Rain left sections of the road wet and increased the risks during descents, where riders had to manage speed carefully while remaining attentive to attacks and changing race situations.
The large crowds created an intense atmosphere throughout the final kilometres. Pogačar later described the support as one of the most memorable experiences of his career, although he refused to declare the Tour decided.
His caution reflects the unpredictable nature of a three-week race. One crash, mechanical problem, illness or poorly managed stage can rapidly transform a comfortable advantage.
Stage 15 will present another severe mountain challenge, taking the peloton from Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison across 183.9 kilometres and approximately 3,950 metres of climbing.
UAE will again attempt to control the race, while Vingegaard and the teams seeking podium positions must decide whether to attack or conserve energy before the final week.
Pogačar leaves the Vosges with a larger advantage, another stage victory and confirmation that his team can dominate both collectively and individually.
Isaac del Toro leaves with something equally significant: evidence that Mexican cycling now has a rider capable of standing on the Tour’s most demanding stages beside the strongest competitors in the world.
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