Tadej Pogačar claimed the yellow jersey on stage three of the Tour de France, attacking on the final climb to Les Angles to win solo and open a two-second advantage over Jonas Vingegaard in the general classification. The Slovenian’s 22nd career stage victory, equalling André Darrigade’s tally, was set up by teammate Isaac del Toro, who neutralised attacks and acted as the final lead-out man before Pogačar launched his decisive move. Indonesian reports quoted Pogačar crediting del Toro for working “more than 100 percent” on the last ascent.

The race now moves entirely onto French roads for stage four, a 181.9-kilometre journey from Carcassonne to Foix that packs 2,700 metres of vertical gain into four categorised climbs. After a flat opening, the peloton will tackle the fourth-category Col de Bedos and third-category Col du Paradis before the intermediate sprint at Quillan. The decisive section begins with back-to-back second-category ascents: the Col de Coudons (10.7 km at 5.5%) and the Col de Montségur (6.9 km at 6.6%), whose summit lies 34 kilometres from the finish. A long descent then leads to Foix, a town hosting a Tour stage finish for the sixth time. Spanish-language previews describe the stage as an ideal launchpad for breakaway specialists, though Italian broadcast schedules note that the expected late-afternoon finish could still see general classification contenders test each other on the climbs.

Mexican coverage focuses on Isaac del Toro, who starts the day fourth overall, 24 seconds behind his leader Pogačar and just one second off the provisional podium. The 21-year-old won stage two and wore the green jersey on stage three, and his UAE Team Emirates squad will again look to him to control the race and protect Pogačar’s narrow lead. With time gaps minimal among the favourites, any successful breakaway or late attack on Montségur could alter the standings before the race reaches the high Pyrenees.

The stage represents the first serious sorting of the general classification on French soil, following two opening days in Catalonia and the summit finish at Les Angles. While the absence of a mountaintop finale may tempt a breakaway to stay clear, the proximity of the final climb to Foix means the yellow jersey group is unlikely to cede much ground. Del Toro’s dual role as both a protected rider and a key domestique will be tested, and his performance could determine whether he consolidates his top-five position or sacrifices his own chances to keep Pogačar in yellow.