Isaac del Toro won the second stage. © APA/afp / STEPHANIE LECOCQ

Pogacar in a generous mood: He "gives away" the victory

Cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar and his super-helper Isaac del Toro crossed the finish line together after the climb up Barcelona's Montjuic mountain – and the exceptional rider granted the Mexican Tour debutant his first stage win at the 113th Tour de France.

July 05, 2026

From: azl

Defending champion Pogacar declined the stage win and refrained from launching any major attacks. As a result, the world champion couldn't shake off his long-time Danish rival Jonas Vingegaard after his minor setback the previous day. In the 113th Tour de France, Vingegaard, who finished fourth this time, retains the yellow jersey after his victory in the team time trial the day before. However, the short climbs also prevented any aggressive attacks. The two superstars congratulated each other at the finish.

After del Toro, who had to deal with a mechanical during the race, and Pogacar, Belgian double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel crossed the finish line in third place on the second stage. In the overall standings, two-time Tour de France winner Vingegaard remains at the top of the classification ahead of Pogacar after his victory in the opening team time trial. However, the gap narrowed from twelve to six seconds due to the bonus seconds awarded to the Slovenian. Red Bull rider Evenepoel is currently in third place.

Jonas Vingegaard is currently leading the Tour de France. © APA/afp / LOIC VENANCE

As planned, Vingegaard and Pogacar seized the leading positions at the start of the first ascent of Montjuïc. Things got hectic in general: French pro Quentin Pacher got his bike tangled in a fan's national flag that had been thrown onto the course. During the climb, amidst the electrifying atmosphere, Vingegaard and Pogacar rode close together.

Vingegaard wearing a face mask

Before the start, Vingegaard appeared wearing a face mask. He said he wasn't ill but wanted to be on the safe side because he had been struggling with an injury in the last two Tours de France. He last wore the yellow leader's jersey three years ago, when he won the overall title.

Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar congratulated each other after the stage. © APA/afp / STEPHANIE LECOCQ

Shortly after the start in Tarragona, a city south of Barcelona, ​​a crash occurred, involving several riders, including top sprinter Biniam Girmay. However, the Eritrean professional was able to continue immediately.

Professionals relocate to France

On Monday, the professional cyclists will leave Barcelona and head to the Pyrenees in France. However, forest fires in southern France are threatening the third stage. A decision on whether the stage can take place as planned will be made by this evening, said Pierre Regnault de la Mothe, prefect of the Pyrénées-Orientales department, at a press conference, as reported by the newspaper "Le Parisien".

After starting in Granollers, Spain, the route heads to the ski resort of Les Angles. Vingegaard and his teammates face nearly 200 kilometers and 3850 meters of elevation gain. Before leaving Spain, they must tackle the Col de Toses – a first-category climb.