Remco Evenepoel delivered another masterclass against the clock to claim victory in Stage 16 of the Tour de France 2026, but Tadej Pogacar remains in control of the race for the yellow jersey. The Belgian Olympic champion produced a blistering ride to beat the four-time Tour winner on the 26.1 km individual time trial, trimming Pogacar’s overall advantage by 28 seconds. Despite the setback, the Slovenian superstar continues to hold a lead in the general classification, while riders like Mattias Skjelmose and Isaac del Toro also remain in the battle for the podium.
Remco Evenepoel win Stage 16 of the Tour de France
Pogacar, who finished second in the stage, remains four minutes and 32 seconds ahead of Evenepoel (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe) in the race for the yellow jersey as the Slovenian UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider closes in on his third straight Tour de France title.
“It’s incredible. To win this time trial with such a performance, I’m just proud and happy. It’s amazing to win two stages in a row,” said Evenepoel.
Denmark’s Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) was the third fastest on the route from Evian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains, a minute and four seconds behind Evenepoel, who had also won the previous stage.
By the time Skjelmose had upstaged Mattia Cattaneo to post the leading time, 26-year-old Evenepoel had already started his ride, making it to the third checkpoint 16 seconds faster than Pogacar.
Evenepoel, who took gold in the road race and time trial at the Paris Olympics, accelerated further in the final flat section to cement the stage win, as Pogacar tried in vain to reduce the gap.
Pogacar’s teammate Isaac del Toro remained third overall with a fifth-place finish in the stage.
Frenchman Paul Seixas, who finished fourth on Tuesday, sits 20 seconds behind Mexico’s Del Toro in the overall standings.
Why did Florian Lipowitz withdraw from Stage 16?
Evenepoel’s teammate Florian Lipowitz, who was fifth in the general classification before the stage, had to withdraw from the race following a crash on a right-hand bend just over six kilometres from the finish.
“It’s a real shame. It’s a victory that leaves a bit of a bittersweet taste,” Evenepoel said about Lipowitz.
The race continues on Wednesday with a 174.7km flat ride from Chambery to Voiron.
(With inputs from Reuters)
