Supersonic Pogacar shatters Marco Pantani’s 31-year-old Alpe d’Huez record

Conditions were favourable for a fast ascent, with sunny skies and temperatures of around 25 degrees Celsius as the riders began the 13.8-kilometre climb.

Pantani’s record had stood for more than 31 years and remained the benchmark against which every subsequent ascent of Alpe d’Huez was measured. The fastest performances of the modern era had remained around the 39 minute mark, over two minutes behind Pantani's 1995 time.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG immediately took control at the base of the climb and began further reducing an already depleted general classification group. Felix Großschartner set most of the pace, leaving only a small group of contenders in contention.

With just under 12 kilometres remaining, Felix Großschartner completed his turn and left Pogačar in position to attack. The Slovenian accelerated soon afterwards and quickly opened a gap, with none of his rivals able to follow. Not long after, Adam Yates, who dropped from the day's breakaway, then went to work for the Slovenian. Yates completed his turn with 9.5 kilometres remaining, leaving Pogačar to chase history.

With 2.5 kilometres to go, the Slovenian caught Sepp Kuss and Lenny Martinez, with Martinez able to stay on his wheel, before reeling in the last remaining breakaway rider, Richard Carapaz, with 1.5 kilometres remaining.

With 800 metres remaining, Pogačar set a blistering pace that dropped Carapaz and Martinez before powering on to victory.

Pogačar reached the summit in 35:27 minutes, lowering Marco Pantani’s long standing benchmark and setting a new fastest time on Alpe d’Huez.