Tadej Pogacar surged to victory on stage three of the Tour de France, claiming his first yellow jersey of the 2026 edition in a finish area nearly devoid of spectators due to wildfire restrictions. The stage, which ended at Les Angles in the eastern Pyrenees, was held without the usual publicity caravan and with only a handful of local fans permitted to attend, as authorities sought to minimise fire risks amid a severe heatwave.
The UAE Team Emirates rider, a four-time Tour champion, launched a characteristically explosive acceleration in the final metres to edge out Jonas Vingegaard, his Danish rival. The win, Pogacar's 22nd Tour stage victory, put him level on time with Vingegaard but gave him the overall lead on countback. "We love to race and we're here to race for the victory," Pogacar said. "We saw there was a possibility to go for the stage and take yellow and that's exactly what happened."
Wildfire Fears Lead to Sparse Crowds
The remote village of Les Angles, nestled just below the final climb, saw its cafes and bars almost empty on Monday, giving the finish the atmosphere of a ghost town. Mayor Michel Poudade expressed dismay at the strict safety measures imposed by the Tour organisation and the local prefecture. "It's sad and it's disappointing," he said. "This is a village of 680 people. It's heartbreak. There are businesses here that are going to really lose out."
Poudade noted that the town had expected 20,000 to 25,000 visitors for the stage. "That's all gone, all at once. I think things could have been done differently. Everyone's been building up to this for a year," he added. No compensation has yet been offered to the resort, though the Tour may plan a return visit to make amends.
Pogacar acknowledged the subdued atmosphere. "My mum had messaged me saying she couldn't come to see the stage, but then at 20 kilometres to go, it was full of people," he said. "But it was a little bit sad to just see photographers and not the usual big crowd around the finish area."
Stage Four Confirmed Amid Scorching Heat
Tour organisers have confirmed that Tuesday's fourth stage, a 182km route from Carcassonne to Foix, will proceed as scheduled despite forecast temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) in southern France. The stage is set to run through the afternoon heat, with the peloton facing furnace conditions. The local prefecture reiterated that "the safety of the riders and the public is our priority," and while permission has been granted to cancel stages in exceptional circumstances, officials deemed conditions manageable for now.
Pogacar described the heatwave as a "logistical nightmare." He explained: "When it's hot, like today, we really start to put a lot of effort into bringing water and ice up to the riders. Three guys have to go back to the [team] car and this makes a big difference." He added that cooling is critical: "It's dangerous if you don't keep your body temperature down."
Pogacar Dismisses Record Talk
With 22 Tour stage wins, Pogacar's performance sparked discussion of him closing in on Mark Cavendish's record of 35 victories. However, the Slovenian brushed aside the comparison. "It's still far away," he said. "Maybe today was my last victory ever. I prefer to stay in the moment and enjoy this victory. I don't want to think about Mark's record. Just go with the flow."
Meanwhile, Vingegaard, who started the Tour with strong form, now trails his old rival and appears to be under psychological pressure. Pogacar's UAE team controlled the closing kilometres of stage three, reeling in the last escapee, Alex Baudin, to set up the winning sprint.
Heatwave Continues to Threaten Race
The broader heatwave remains a concern, with 61 French regions now on orange alert. Temperatures as high as 41°C (105.8°F) are expected in Languedoc-Roussillon in the coming days, which could impact stage finishes in Foix on Tuesday and Pau on Wednesday. The French authorities have granted the Tour the option to cancel stages, but only under "exceptional" circumstances. For now, the race presses on, with riders and teams scrambling to stay cool and hydrated.
