Tour de France stage 19 takes place on Friday 24 July 2026, with the riders covering 127.9km from Gap to Alpe d’Huez.
The neutralised start is scheduled for 13:00 BST, with racing expected to begin at approximately 13:15 BST. The stage should finish between 16:24 and 16:44 BST, depending on the speed of the race.
Live UK television coverage begins on TNT Sports at 12:30 BST, with the complete stage also available through HBO Max.
This is a short mountain stage, but anyone wanting to see the decisive opening battle should watch from the start. The Col Bayard begins immediately after the flag drops, followed by the Col du Noyer inside the opening 25.2km.
Viewers joining later should aim to be live by 15:30 BST for the approach to the Col d’Ornon, or no later than 15:50 BST to see the complete ascent of Alpe d’Huez.
Photo Credit: A.S.O./Thomas MaheuxTour de France stage 19 start and finish times
| Detail | UK time |
|---|---|
| TNT Sports coverage begins | 12:30 BST |
| Neutralised start in Gap | 13:00 BST |
| Racing expected to begin | Approximately 13:15 BST |
| Col Bayard summit | Approximately 13:23 BST |
| Col du Noyer summit | Approximately 13:52–13:56 BST |
| Intermediate sprint at Le Périer | Approximately 15:19–15:30 BST |
| Col d’Ornon summit | Approximately 15:36–15:49 BST |
| Alpe d’Huez begins | Approximately 15:53–16:08 BST |
| Expected stage finish | 16:24–16:44 BST |
The official timetable is based on average speeds of 37, 39 and 41km/h.
A fast opening battle could place the race close to the earliest schedule. Repeated attacks over the first two climbs could also delay the formation of the breakaway and move the stage towards the middle or slower estimates.
What time does Tour de France stage 19 start?
The riders leave Gap at 14:00 local time, which is 13:00 BST in the UK.
The neutralised section is expected to last approximately 15 minutes. Racing should therefore begin at around 13:15 BST, although the precise time depends on when the race director releases the peloton.
Unlike many Tour stages, there will be no gentle opening once the flag drops.
The category-two Col Bayard reaches its summit after only 4.8km. The riders are scheduled to cross it at approximately 13:23 BST, giving the peloton only a few minutes of racing before the first mountains points are awarded.
Anyone wanting to see the fight for the breakaway or the opening move in the polka-dot jersey contest should be watching before the official start.
The complete route and tactical picture are covered in the Tour de France 2026 stage 19 preview.
What time is Tour de France stage 19 on television in the UK?
TNT Sports begins its stage 19 coverage at 12:30 BST.
That gives viewers approximately 30 minutes of build-up before the neutralised start. Every stage of the 2026 Tour de France is also available live through HBO Max.
The main UK viewing options are:
| Broadcaster | Stage 19 coverage |
|---|---|
| TNT Sports | Live from 12:30 BST |
| HBO Max | Complete live stream |
| Channel 5 | Free-to-air evening highlights |
TNT Sports is available through selected Sky, EE and Virgin Media packages. HBO Max provides the clearest streaming option for viewers who want the complete stage on a phone, tablet, computer or smart television.
The full television picture is explained in our guide to how to watch the Tour de France 2026 in the UK.
Can you watch stage 19 free in the UK?
There is no complete English-language free-to-air live broadcast of stage 19.
Channel 5 is showing free highlights in the evening, but viewers wanting to follow the stage live from Gap need TNT Sports or HBO Max.
That is a significant change from previous years, when ITV provided daily live coverage. The reasons for the change and the available alternatives are covered in why you cannot watch the Tour de France 2026 free on ITV.
Tour de France stage 19 route
Stage 19 covers 127.9km from Gap to Alpe d’Huez and contains approximately 3,500 metres of climbing.
The route includes four categorised ascents:
| Climb | Distance | Average gradient | Race position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col Bayard | 4.8km | 7.2% | 4.8km |
| Col du Noyer | 7.2km | 8.5% | 25.2km |
| Col d’Ornon | 5.4km | 6.4% | 99.2km |
| Alpe d’Huez | 13.7km | 8.1% | Finish |
The Col Bayard summit comes only eight or nine minutes after racing begins. The Col du Noyer follows less than half an hour later, making this one of the most aggressive opening sections of the Tour.
The race then crosses a longer central section before the intermediate sprint at Le Périer and the approach to the Col d’Ornon.
After the Col d’Ornon descent, the riders reach Bourg-d’Oisans and immediately begin the traditional 21-hairpin ascent of Alpe d’Huez.
Stage 19 is the first half of the race’s unusual pair of summit finishes, examined in why back-to-back Alpe d’Huez stages could define the Tour de France 2026.
Best time to tune in for Tour de France stage 19
Watch from 12:30 BST for the full broadcast
TNT Sports begins coverage half an hour before the neutralised start.
Watching from the beginning will include the route analysis, general classification picture and final tactical discussion before the riders leave Gap.
This is more important than usual because the breakaway battle should begin immediately.
Valentin Paret-Peintre starts stage 19 only one point behind Tadej Pogačar in the mountains classification. The first five points are available on the Col Bayard, meaning the virtual polka-dot jersey can change hands within the opening 10 minutes of racing.
Teams seeking the stage victory also need to place riders into the move before or during the Col du Noyer. A successful escape may therefore form before many viewers would normally switch on a mountain stage.
Watch from 13:15 BST for the Col Bayard and breakaway fight
The official start should come at approximately 13:15 BST.
The Col Bayard begins immediately and reaches its summit at around 13:23 BST.
This section should contain:
- The first attacks of the stage
- Paret-Peintre’s first opportunity to take the mountains lead
- Riders attempting to place teammates ahead for Alpe d’Huez
- Sprinters immediately beginning their battle against the time limit
- UAE Team Emirates-XRG deciding which moves must be controlled
The short distance creates little room for a breakaway to form gradually. Riders who miss the opening move may already be out of stage-winning contention before the race reaches the Col du Noyer.
The current jersey positions are listed in GC and jerseys after Tour de France 2026 stage 18.
Watch from 13:45 BST for the Col du Noyer
The Col du Noyer summit is expected between approximately 13:52 and 13:56 BST.
This is the first genuinely difficult climb of the stage, measuring 7.2km at 8.5%.
A breakaway may already have formed, but the steep gradient could split it or encourage a second wave of attacks. Ten mountains points are available at the summit, making it important to Paret-Peintre, Richard Carapaz and any other rider targeting the polka-dot jersey.
The climb may also reveal whether Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe or Lidl-Trek intend to place domestiques ahead.
Jai Hindley, Maxim Van Gils, Mattia Cattaneo or another Red Bull rider in the break would give Remco Evenepoel tactical support later. UAE must decide whether to chase such a move or conserve its reduced squad.
The effect of Brandon McNulty’s stage 18 withdrawal is examined in how UAE can protect Pogačar on Alpe d’Huez after McNulty’s abandonment.
Watch from 15:15 BST for the intermediate sprint
The intermediate sprint at Le Périer comes after 89.4km and is expected between 15:19 and 15:30 BST.
Mads Pedersen starts stage 19 with a 32-point advantage over Jasper Philipsen in the green jersey classification.
The sprint offers 25 points to the first rider across the line, but the terrain makes it unlikely that the pure sprinters will still be contesting at the front unless one has made another ambitious early move.
Pedersen joined the stage 18 breakaway specifically to secure the intermediate sprint. Repeating that tactic would strengthen his position before Paris, but the Col Bayard and Col du Noyer make stage 19 considerably harder to infiltrate.
A breakaway rider may take the points without affecting the main green jersey contest.
The wider classification battle is covered in can Mads Pedersen win green at the Tour de France 2026?.
Watch from 15:30 BST for the Col d’Ornon
The race is scheduled to reach the Col d’Ornon summit between 15:36 and 15:49 BST.
This is the latest sensible tune-in point for anyone wanting to see the complete tactical finale.
The climb is not especially severe at 5.4km and 6.4%, but its position makes it important. The summit comes only 28.7km from the finish, followed by the descent towards Bourg-d’Oisans.
Lidl-Trek or Decathlon CMA CGM could increase the pace here to reduce UAE’s support before Alpe d’Huez.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe may also use the climb to activate riders placed in the breakaway. A move from Evenepoel himself is less likely because the descent and valley would give Pogačar an opportunity to follow with less effort.
The main value of the Col d’Ornon is creating the conditions for the final climb.
Watch from 15:50 BST for Alpe d’Huez
The riders are expected to reach the foot of Alpe d’Huez between approximately 15:53 and 16:08 BST.
Viewers who only want the final climb should be watching by 15:50 BST.
The ascent measures 13.7km at 8.1%, with its hardest sustained gradients arriving near the bottom. The leading riders should pass La Garde-en-Oisans between approximately 15:59 and 16:15 BST, depending on the speed of the stage.
The opening kilometres should decide whether the stage becomes a direct Pogačar-Evenepoel contest or a wider battle involving Isaac del Toro, Paul Seixas, Juan Ayuso and Mattias Skjelmose.
Waiting until the final five kilometres risks missing the most important attacks.
Alpe d’Huez becomes less consistently steep higher up the mountain, so the general classification riders may make their decisive moves before reaching the middle hairpins.
What time will the riders reach Alpe d’Huez?
The official schedule gives three possible race speeds.
| Location | Fast schedule | Medium schedule | Slow schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foot of Alpe d’Huez | 15:53 BST | 16:01 BST | 16:08 BST |
| La Garde-en-Oisans | 15:59 BST | 16:07 BST | 16:15 BST |
| Huez village | 16:11 BST | 16:20 BST | 16:29 BST |
| Alpe d’Huez entrance | 16:18 BST | 16:28 BST | 16:37 BST |
| Finish | 16:24 BST | 16:34 BST | 16:44 BST |
The most likely finish is close to 16:34 BST, based on the middle 39km/h schedule.
A particularly aggressive opening could push the stage towards the fastest timetable. Long tactical pauses after the Col du Noyer, or a large breakaway being allowed to establish itself, could move it closer to the later estimate.
Viewers should not wait until 16:30 BST before switching on.
At the fastest schedule, the winner would already be approaching the finish by then.
What to watch for on stage 19
Whether Paret-Peintre takes the polka-dot jersey immediately
Pogačar leads the mountains classification with 70 points. Paret-Peintre has 69 and Carapaz 63.
The Col Bayard awards five points to the first rider across the summit. Paret-Peintre can therefore move into the virtual lead almost immediately.
The Col du Noyer then offers another 10 points, while 20 are available at the Alpe d’Huez finish.
The jersey battle should be active from the opening kilometre rather than only on the final climb.
The three-way contest is analysed in who can catch Pogačar in the Tour de France polka-dot jersey battle?.
How UAE respond to McNulty’s abandonment
McNulty left the Tour during stage 18 with illness.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG now have fewer riders available to control the early breakaway and protect Pogačar before Alpe d’Huez. Adam Yates and Tim Wellens have also been dealing with illness.
That should encourage Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, Lidl-Trek and Decathlon CMA CGM to place riders into early attacks.
UAE do not need to chase a harmless breakaway. They do need to prevent rival domestiques gaining positions from which they can later support Evenepoel, Ayuso, Skjelmose or Seixas.
Whether Evenepoel attacks yellow or protects second
Evenepoel remains 4:32 behind Pogačar.
Recovering that deficit across stages 19 and 20 requires something exceptional, and the Belgian may decide that securing second place is the more realistic objective.
Del Toro is 2:19 behind him, with Seixas another 20 seconds back.
Evenepoel must judge Pogačar’s attacks without riding himself into a collapse that brings the podium rivals back into contention.
His strongest tactic may be a sustained move on the middle section of Alpe d’Huez rather than trying to match Pogačar’s sharper accelerations.
The remaining route to yellow is assessed in can Remco Evenepoel win the Tour de France 2026?.
The 20-second fight for the podium and white jersey
Del Toro leads Seixas by only 20 seconds.
That gap covers both third overall and the white jersey classification.
Seixas has a simple objective: gain time. Del Toro must defend his position while remaining available to help Pogačar if UAE’s other climbers are dropped.
The steep lower slopes of Alpe d’Huez offer Seixas his best opportunity to expose that conflict.
The duel is examined in Del Toro vs Seixas: who will win the Tour de France 2026 white jersey?.
Whether the breakaway can survive
The short stage and immediate climbing favour strong escapees, but the long central valley gives the peloton time to organise.
The prestige of winning on Alpe d’Huez may encourage more teams to chase than on an ordinary mountain stage.
A breakaway probably needs several minutes at Bourg-d’Oisans to survive the final climb.
Pogačar remains the strongest favourite if the general classification group reaches the escapees, but UAE have little tactical reason to spend all day preparing a stage victory.
Stage 19 live viewing times outside the UK
| Location | Neutralised start | Expected finish |
|---|---|---|
| France and Central Europe | 14:00 CEST | 17:24–17:44 CEST |
| United Kingdom | 13:00 BST | 16:24–16:44 BST |
| US Eastern | 08:00 EDT | 11:24–11:44 EDT |
| US Pacific | 05:00 PDT | 08:24–08:44 PDT |
| Australia, Sydney | 22:00 AEST | 01:24–01:44 AEST Saturday |
US viewers can watch stage 19 through Peacock, while Canadian coverage is available through FloBikes. Australian viewers can follow the stage through SBS and SBS On Demand.
Broadcast options for different regions are listed in the Tour de France 2026 live stream guide by country.
Tour de France stage 19 viewing recommendation
Stage 19 is worth watching from the official start.
The Col Bayard and Col du Noyer arrive too early for the opening phase to be treated as television background. The breakaway, polka-dot jersey and rival team tactics may all be established before 14:00 BST.
For viewers with limited time, 15:30 BST is the best compromise. That should show the Col d’Ornon, the descent towards Bourg-d’Oisans and the complete Alpe d’Huez finale.
Anyone joining only for the summit finish should be live by 15:50 BST.
The stage could finish as early as 16:24 BST, and the steepest part of Alpe d’Huez comes near the bottom. The decisive move may happen long before the riders reach the final kilometre.
