Published on : 07/24/2026
Between Gap and Alpe d'Huez, the 19th stage of the Tour de France featured another high-mountain challenge. With nearly 130 kilometers and several mountain passes to climb, a fierce battle raged between climbers trying to take the initiative and the overall favorites.
From the very first kilometers, the battle to break away was intense. After several attacks, Ion Izagirre managed to join the day’s key breakaway—a group of 42 riders that set the pace for much of the stage. This was yet another demonstration of the Cofidis team’s attacking spirit in this Tour de France.
Despite the fast pace and the increasing difficulty of the course, Ion Izagirre hung on to secure the best possible result on the slopes of Alpe d’Huez. He ultimately crossed the finish line in 18th place, at the end of a particularly demanding day.
The reaction
Alex Aranburu: “There was a great atmosphere—honestly, it was impressive to see all those people. Right up until the final climb, we really struggled, because ultimately, we want to stay with the peloton as long as possible. On the final climb, knowing how much we had left to go to the finish, we paced ourselves and still managed to have a little fun too. Tomorrow, we’re going to try to get Ion (Izagirre) into the breakaway. He was already in the mix today. That was the goal. He’s got strong legs, but it’s going to be another very tough day.”