Stage 6 of the 2026 Tour de France starts in Pau and finishes 186.2 kilometres later at Gavarnie-Gèdre. Featuring the legendary Col du Tourmalet, this is the first true mountain stage of the race and should provide our first major shake-up in the general classification.
Stage 5 Review
As expected, we got our first bunch sprint of the 2026 Tour de France on Wednesday, with Olav Kooij sprinting to victory for Decathlon AG2R ahead of Max Kanter and my selection for the stage, Tim Merlier.
The stage itself was relatively straightforward. A modest breakaway was allowed clear before the sprinters’ teams gradually reeled them in. The closing kilometres, however, were anything but calm, with several crashes causing chaos and disrupting a number of lead-out trains.
Classification Update
Torsten Traeen retains the yellow jersey after no significant changes in the general classification.
Sean Quinn remains second, 28 seconds behind the race leader, while Tadej Pogačar continues to sit fourth overall, 7 minutes and 53 seconds back.
In the Green Jersey competition, Mads Pedersen has opened up a healthy advantage over Biniam Girmay, with Max Kanter currently third.
It remains early days in the King of the Mountains competition, but Alex Baudin continues to lead the standings with 13 points.
Meanwhile, Lidl-Trek have built an impressive lead of almost 19 minutes in the Team Classification.
The betting markets now read:
- Tour Winner
- Tadej Pogačar – 1.16
- Jonas Vingegaard – 5.25
- Team Classification
- Lidl-Trek – 2.10
- Green Jersey
- Mads Pedersen – 1.83
- King of the Mountains
- Tadej Pogačar – 1.83
- Richard Carapaz – 6.00
A couple of our ante-post selections at double-figure odds have now shortened dramatically into odds-on favourites and 2.10 favourites (Green Jersey and Team Classification), which is always satisfying to see this early in the race.
Stage 6 Profile
The opening kilometres out of Pau are relatively straightforward before the riders reach the Category 4 Côte de Loucrup, measuring 1.9 kilometres at 7.1%, after approximately 45 kilometres.
Not long afterwards comes the intermediate sprint, followed by the Category 3 Côte de Mauvezin, a punchy climb of 3 kilometres at 6.8%.
The race then changes completely.
The first major test is the famous Category 1 Col d’Aspin, a climb of 12 kilometres at 6.5%, cresting after 118.1 kilometres.
Following a descent, the riders tackle one of cycling’s greatest climbs, the Hors Catégorie Col du Tourmalet, a brutal ascent of 17.1 kilometres at 7.3%, reaching its summit at 2,115 metres above sea level.
After another long descent comes the final climb to Gavarnie-Gèdre, officially a Category 2 ascent measuring 18.7 kilometres at 3.7%. Although the average gradient is relatively gentle, its length and the fatigue accumulated over the Tourmalet mean it will still prove a significant challenge.
What to Expect
Watching the breakaway form should be fascinating.
I expect several of the stronger teams to try and place riders in the early move, not necessarily to contest the stage themselves, but to provide valuable support later in the day for their general classification leaders.
With such long climbs and extended valleys between them, having teammates waiting ahead after the Tourmalet could prove invaluable. Drafting on the final climb may ultimately decide who wins the stage.
While a breakaway will almost certainly go clear, I expect UAE Team Emirates XRG in particular to keep the race within reach.
The Tourmalet should significantly reduce the leading group, and unless the break gains an enormous advantage, I think the stage winner is highly likely to come from the elite general classification contenders.
Stage 6 Betting
Stage Winner Odds – click here to bet
- Tadej Pogačar – 1.36
- Isaac del Toro – 12.00
- Jonas Vingegaard – 15.00
- 21.00 and bigger the remainder.
Verdict
It is very difficult to oppose Tadej Pogačar on this profile.
The Tourmalet is the type of climb where he can simply ride away from most of the peloton, and if he arrives at the final climb with only a handful of rivals remaining, he will deservedly start a very short-priced favourite.
That said, even with the World Sports Betting Money Back for Second promotion, I can’t quite bring myself to back him at 1.36.
Instead, I’ll look to the Top 3 market, where I think Florian Lipowitz represents value. He has quietly been riding himself into impressive form during the opening week and looks capable of climbing onto the podium on the first major mountain stage.
Suggested Bet: Florian Lipowitz – Top 3 Finish @ 6.00
Tour de France 2026 – Stage Winner Money Back Promotion
Back any rider to win any stage of the 2026 Tour de France, and if your selection finishes 2nd in that stage, World Sports Betting will refund your stake in World Coins, up to R5,000!
Promotion Details
- Promotion period: 4 July – 26 July 2026
- Valid on pre-match single (straight) win bets only
- Bets must be placed before the start of each stage
- Refunds are paid in World Coins
- Maximum refund: R5,000 per account
- Only real money bets qualify (free bets excluded)
- Only one qualifying refund per bet
- Cash-out bets do not qualify
- World Coins are subject to the standard World Sports Betting Free Bet Terms & Conditions
- Accounts must be verified and in good standing
How to Claim
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘TDF Stage’ to claim your refund within 72 hours of the stage finishing.
Disclaimer: Prices were correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
