Pidcock climbs to fourth at Tour as Schmid wins Stage 13

Swiss rider Mauro Schmid won the longest stage of the 2026 Tour de France on Friday, edging Colombian Harold Tejada in a close sprint finish after the pair broke away from a larger breakaway group on the descent to Belfort. Schmid's time of 4 hours 6 minutes 58 seconds secured his first Tour stage victory. Britain's Tom Pidcock finished third, just two seconds behind, as part of a breakaway that stayed clear of the main peloton by over seven minutes.

Pidcock's aggressive riding on the 206-kilometre stage—particularly on the nine-kilometre Category 1 climb of Ballon d'Alsace—propelled him up six positions in the general classification to fourth place overall. The 26-year-old now sits 4 minutes 15 seconds behind race leader Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, having started the day 7 minutes 43 seconds behind third-placed Remco Evenepoel. Pidcock said after the stage: "It was always the objective to make it into a break. I think it worked out perfectly. I was also after the stage win, but it was difficult in the end without any teammates. But I can't be disappointed."

Pogacar's yellow jersey group chose not to contest the stage win and cruised home several minutes later, maintaining the Slovenian's 3 minutes 36 seconds advantage over second-placed Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark. Pogacar, a four-time Tour champion, is now on course to secure a fifth title, which would tie him with Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain.

UAE Team Emirates chief Mauro Gianetti acknowledged Pidcock's resurgence as a concern, stating: "Pidcock is back in the general classification. He becomes a little dangerous for us as well as for the others." The stage 13 result marked a rare success for a large breakaway in this year's race, with over 50 riders forming the initial group before it dwindled as the race climbed into the Vosges.

Saturday's stage 14 is a demanding mountain stage featuring three major climbs in the Alsace region and finishing at the Le Markstein ski resort. The race concludes with its traditional finish in Paris on 26 July.