The penultimate stage of the 2026 Tour de France takes the riders on a brutal 170.9-kilometre journey through the Alps, featuring three Hors Catégorie climbs before the race reaches the finish atop Alpe d’Huez. Although Tadej Pogacar has all but wrapped up a fifth Tour de France title, there is still plenty to race for.
The battle for the King of the Mountains jersey remains alive, while Richard Carapaz, Sepp Kuss and several others will be desperate to finish the Tour with a prestigious mountain stage victory. Behind the yellow jersey, the fight for third place overall and the white jersey is also far from over.
This looks like the final opportunity for the breakaway specialists before Sunday’s finale in Paris, and I’m expecting another fascinating tactical battle from the flag drop.
Stage 19 Review
Tadej Pogacar once again demonstrated why he is the dominant rider in world cycling. He attacked with 11 kilometres remaining on the climb to Alpe d’Huez, reeled in the breakaway and eventually caught my 50/1 selection, Lenny Martinez, before the finish to win by six seconds.
Martinez produced a tremendous ride to finish second and, if you followed the recommendation with World Sports Betting, at least the second-place refund softened the blow. Richard Carapaz crossed the line a further three seconds behind in third, which proved enough to move into the King of the Mountains jersey. Sepp Kuss faded over the closing kilometres but still finished fourth after another aggressive ride.
The stage unfolded very much as expected. A strong breakaway established itself before UAE Team Emirates gradually brought the race under control. Rather than waiting for the final kilometre, Pogacar took matters into his own hands with a trademark long-range attack, once again putting more than two minutes into his closest general classification rivals.
Classification Update
Pogacar now leads Remco Evenepoel by more than seven minutes and the yellow jersey is effectively secured heading into the final two stages.
The battle for third place overall and the white jersey remains one of the most intriguing contests of the race. Isaac Del Toro leads Paul Seixas by just 24 seconds, while Lenny Martinez’s outstanding ride has lifted him into fifth overall. One rider who continues to impress is Mattias Skjelmose, who has climbed to sixth despite losing time earlier in the Tour after a crash.
Mads Pedersen once again threw everything into making the breakaway, taking maximum points at the intermediate sprint. He now leads Jasper Philipsen by 57 points and, barring disaster, should arrive in Paris wearing the green jersey.
Richard Carapaz now leads the King of the Mountains competition by a single point from Pogacar, with Valentin Paret-Peintre another six points behind after fading badly on Stage 19.
UAE Team Emirates did claw some time back on Lidl-Trek in the team classification, but Lidl-Trek still hold a commanding advantage of around 19 minutes and UAE are 13.00 to make an amazing comeback.
Classification Betting
Yellow Jersey
- Tadej Pogacar – 1.01
Green Jersey
- Mads Pedersen – 1.03
King of the Mountains
- Richard Carapaz – 1.33
- Valentin Paret-Peintre – 5.00
- Tadej Pogacar – 6.00
Young Rider
- Isaac Del Toro – 1.20
- Paul Seixas – 4.50
Stage 20 Profile
The stage may only be 170.9 kilometres long, but it contains almost everything the Alps can throw at the riders.
After just eight kilometres of relatively flat roads, the peloton tackles the Col de la Croix de Fer, a gruelling Hors Catégorie climb stretching 24 kilometres at 5.2%. Following the descent comes the Col du Télégraphe (11.9km at 7.1%), before the legendary Col du Galibier, another Hors Catégorie ascent measuring 17.7 kilometres at 6.9%.
There is little respite after the Galibier descent as the riders immediately begin the final categorized climb to Col de Sarenne, a climb that needs no introduction. There is then some up and own before they take on the final 3.8km of Alpe d’Huez.
What to Expect?
I have a feeling Pogacar has one eye on Sunday’s final stage in Paris, and I wouldn’t be surprised if UAE are happy to allow a strong breakaway plenty of freedom.
Although the team has been depleted by illness, Adam Yates looked much stronger on Stage 19 and don’t be surprised if he tries to get himself into the break as UAE look to control the race from the front rather than chase it all day.
The stage starts climbing almost immediately and I suspect the attacks will begin from the foot of the Croix de Fer. It will be interesting to see whether Mads Pedersen attempts to secure the green jersey beyond any doubt by trying to survive the early climbing, but I think the likes of Richard Carapaz will be setting such a fierce tempo that the sprinters will quickly be distanced.
The Col du Galibier comes with around 60 kilometres remaining, and should one of the general classification contenders show any weakness, there is still enough terrain for rivals to apply pressure. However, I think the most likely outcome is another successful breakaway, and that’s where my betting interest lies.
Verdict
I’m happy to take Pogacar on at 2.50. If everything comes back together, there is no doubt he is the rider to beat, but I think UAE will be content to let the break fight for the stage while protecting the yellow jersey.
Lenny Martinez showed tremendous form on Stage 19, but after such a strong performance I can’t see him being given the same freedom again.
Instead, I’m going to side with two outsiders who could easily make the break and have the climbing ability to stay away.
Bet: Adam Yates to win Stage 20 at 101.00
Bet: Davide Piganzoli to win Stage 20 at 126.00
I also have a feeling that Seixas will enjoy the multiple climbs and will turn the tables on Del Toro to claim the White Jersey.
Bet: Seixas Young Rider at 4.50
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.
Stage 20 Betting – click here to bet
- Tadej Pogacar – 2.50
- Richard Carapaz – 2.75
- Sepp Kuss – 7.50
- Remco Evenepoel – 11.00
- Isaac Del Toro – 12.00
- Thomas Pidcock – 17.00
- Mattias Skjelmose – 34.00
- Tobias Halland Johannessen – 34.00
- Lenny Martinez – 41.00
- Thymen Arensman – 41.00
- Paul Seixas – 51.00
- Juan Ayuso – 51.00
Disclaimer: Odds were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.
