Tadej Pogačar Wins Tour de France 2026 Stage 3 As Heat And Fierce Racing Shake Up Yellow Jersey Battle

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2026 – Stage 3 of the Tour de France 2026 turned into one of the most intense early battles of this year’s race, as riders pushed through a demanding mountain route from Granollers to Les Angles. The official Tour de France route listed the stage at 195.9km with 3,850 metres of elevation gain, making it an early test of climbing strength, team tactics and endurance.

The atmosphere along the route was electric, with thousands of spectators filling accessible sections of the roadside to support the riders. DetikSport’s photo report described the stage as increasingly heated, with riders fighting to maintain their position near the front while fans created a lively race-day atmosphere.

Tadej Pogačar emerged as the biggest winner of the day after capturing Stage 3 and taking the yellow jersey from Jonas Vingegaard. Reuters reported that Pogačar won the 195.9km mountainous stage and moved into the overall lead, with both Pogačar and Vingegaard tied on time but separated by bonus seconds and race positioning.

The final kilometres became the decisive moment of the race. Pogačar received crucial support from UAE Team Emirates teammate Isaac del Toro before launching the move that secured the stage win. Richard Carapaz finished third, while 19-year-old debutant Paul Seixas impressed by finishing fourth.

Extreme heat also played a major role in shaping the stage. The race began in Granollers, Spain, under temperatures above 35°C, forcing riders to manage hydration, pacing and energy carefully throughout the demanding mountain route.

The stage was also affected by environmental concerns. Due to wildfire risks in the eastern Pyrenees, the final mountain section near Les Angles was held without spectators, with access limited to riders, teams and essential race vehicles.

Despite the restrictions near the finish, the overall race atmosphere remained powerful. DetikSport highlighted scenes of fans cheering from the roadside, including one supporter waving the Catalonia flag, reflecting the passion that continues to make the Tour de France one of the world’s most iconic sporting events.

Team strategy became one of the key factors in the outcome. Riders had to balance aggressive attacks with energy conservation, while teams worked to protect their leaders and control the peloton across climbs and fast sections.

The result strengthens Pogačar’s early position in the general classification battle and increases pressure on his rivals, especially Vingegaard, as the race continues into more challenging terrain. The fight for the yellow jersey is expected to remain tight as the riders move deeper into the Tour.

Stage 4 will continue on Tuesday with a 181.9km hilly route from Carcassonne to Foix, where riders are expected to face even higher temperatures amid the ongoing heatwave.