The second week of the 2026 Tour de France delivered dramatic racing across rolling terrain, sprint finishes, and demanding mountain stages. Watch the video highlights for each stage to relive the decisive attacks, tactical battles, and memorable finishes as the race continued toward the Alps and the fight for the yellow jersey intensified.
Watch Tour de France Stages 1-8
2026 Tour de France Stage 9: Mathieu van der Poel Takes Victory on a Punchy Finish
Winner: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Stage 9 featured a demanding route that favored explosive riders capable of handling repeated climbs before a fast finish. Mathieu van der Poel timed his effort perfectly, sprinting from a select lead group to claim the stage victory. The aggressive racing created splits throughout the day while the overall contenders safely navigated the challenging terrain.
2026 Tour de France Stage 10: Tadej Pogačar Dominates the Bastille Day Mountains
Winner: Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
The first major mountain test of the second week showcased Tadej Pogačar’s climbing strength. Launching a decisive solo attack on the final ascent, he rode clear of his rivals to extend his advantage in the general classification. The demanding climbs reshaped the race and reinforced his position as the rider to beat.
2026 Tour de France Stage 11: Søren Wærenskjold Wins the Sprint in Nevers
Winner: Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility)
After the mountains, the peloton returned to flatter roads where the sprinters’ teams controlled the pace. Søren Wærenskjold powered through a fast and tightly contested bunch sprint, earning an impressive Tour stage victory after excellent teamwork and positioning during the closing kilometers.
2026 Tour de France Stage 12: Tim Merlier Adds Another Sprint Victory
Winner: Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Stage 12 ended with another high-speed sprint showdown. Tim Merlier demonstrated his finishing speed once again, emerging from a well-organized lead-out to secure another stage win. The flat profile kept the race together for much of the day before the sprinters battled for the finish line.
2026 Tour de France Stage 13: Mauro Schmid Prevails from a Select Breakaway
Winner: Mauro Schmid (Team Jayco AlUla)
A strong breakaway animated Stage 13, with Mauro Schmid proving the strongest in the closing kilometers. After a day of relentless attacks and tactical racing, Schmid held his composure to win from a reduced lead group, while the overall contenders remained focused on the upcoming mountain stages.
2026 Tour de France Stage 14: Tadej Pogačar Conquers the Vosges
Winner: Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
The Tour returned to the mountains with a demanding summit finish that rewarded the strongest climbers. Tadej Pogačar launched another powerful attack on the final ascent, riding solo to victory and further strengthening his grip on the yellow jersey. The stage created meaningful gaps among the general classification contenders heading into the final week.
2026 Tour de France Stage 15: Remco Evenepoel Triumphs After Alpine Drama
Winner: Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe)
Stage 15 produced one of the Tour’s most dramatic days, featuring relentless climbing and decisive attacks in the Alps. Remco Evenepoel surged past his rivals near the finish to earn his first stage victory of the race, while the day’s events also reshaped the overall standings following a major incident involving one of the race favorites. The dramatic mountain battle set the stage for an exciting final week.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) captured his third victory at this year’s Tour de France, in Chalon-sur-Saône, where the race returned for the first time in seven years.
