UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader picks up his third stage victory of the week, extending his advantage in the yellow jersey ahead of the final day
May 2, 2026
For the third time in a week, Tadej Pogačar emerged the stage winner at the Tour de Romandie, with the Slovenian extending his race lead.
On Saturday’s Queen stage, Pogačar further asserted his authority over the race, winning alone in Charmey. It was on the final mountain pass that the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider had gone away from his rivals.
After a tremendous job by his teammates all afternoon to keep a dangerous breakaway, including Primož Roglič (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), on a tight leash, Pogačar set Pavel Sivakov to work on the final ascent of the Jaunpass.
Stretching out for 8.1km at 8.3%, this was no easy climb, and always had the potential to sort out a natural pecking order. Recognising this opportunity, Pogačar mounted his attack with more than 3km to the summit.
After blistering past the remnants of the breakaway, Pogačar was joined by Roglič’s teammate, Florian Lipowitz. The German started the day in second overall and had plenty of motivation to try and match the Slovenian’s attack.
Regardless, Pogačar kept his pace and with a little over a kilometre to the top of the climb, the Lipowitz was distanced for good.
Over the top of the climb, Pogačar did not relent, and instead extended his advantage as he dropped down to the finish in Charmey. By the line, his gap was 14 seconds over Lipowitz, and more than 90 seconds to anyone else.
With his third stage victory of the race, Pogačar stretched his lead in the yellow jersey to 35 seconds. Only Sunday’s stage remains at the 79th Tour de Romandie.
Pogačar: “ It was pure teamwork. We planned to come over the first two climbs still with seven riders, and then we could go for the stage. Chapeau to everybody in the team. The first hour of racing was so hard, and then to bring the breakaway back, all the teammates were fantastic. I am so happy I could finish it off.
“The competition today was really good and really strong. It was really hard to drop Florian in the end, he was so strong. Also on the downhill he gave me a really hard time to keep the time gap the same, so it was not easy. It was a super hard day and I am happy with the performance today.”
Tour de Romandie 2026 stage 4 results:
- Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 3:40:24
- Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) +14”
- Pablo Castrillo (Movistar) +1:42
Tour de Romandie 2026 general classification after stage 4:
- Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 15:47:00
- Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) +35”
- Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious) +2:23
