Pogačar shatters Pantani's record: 35'27" on Alpe d'Huez — Pure history at the 2026 Tour
Pogačar Smashes Pantani's Record
What happened today on the 21 bends of Alpe d'Huez gave us goosebumps. We witnessed pure history: Tadej Pogačar pulverized Marco Pantani's legendary record with a time of 35 minutes and 27 seconds, one minute and thirteen seconds faster than Il Pirata's sacred mark, set in 1995.
For 31 years, we believed that Pantani's 36'40" was an insurmountable wall, a mystical frontier fixed by the aluminum era, wild instinct, and pure agony. Today, the Slovenian has rewritten the history of cycling with a blend of science, physiology, and determination that is hard to process.
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🎸 The Rockstar vs. 🐐 The GOAT: two eras, one myth.
Marco Pantani — Alpe d'Huez 1995
He was pure rock and roll. Shaved head, pirate bandana, earring, and an 8.2 kg aluminum bicycle with rim brakes and no power meters. The Italian climbed in agony, gripping the drops of his handlebars, pushing incredibly hard gears with brute force at 6.89 W/kg and a VAM of 1815 m/h. His fuel was the momentary hatred of the mountain to "shorten the suffering."
Tadej Pogačar — Alpe d'Huez 2026
He is the perfection of modern science. An unpainted 7.25 kg carbon spaceship, electronic shifting, disc brakes, and Hulk stickers on his 36 cm aero handlebars. He pedaled with a brisk cadence, consuming up to 120g of carbohydrates per hour, sustaining an unreal 6.99 W/kg and a VAM of 1894 m/h.
⏱️ The Ramp Duel: 13.80 km standardized
| Cyclist | Year | Time | Average Speed | W/kg | VAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Pantani | 1995 | 36:40 | 22.58 km/h | 6.89 W/kg | 1815 m/h |
| Tadej Pogačar | 2026 | 35:27 | +23.3 km/h | 6.99 W/kg | 1894 m/h |
Pantani recorded his 36:40 even making a mistake on the last curve before the finish line. Pogačar attacked 12 km from the finish, caught the breakaway, and crossed the summit flying at an average of over 23.3 km/h.
The bittersweet reality: excitement and nostalgia in equal measure
We are euphoric because we have lived through the era of the greatest cyclist of all time. Pogačar has shown that with precision nutrition, advanced aerodynamics, and a physiology touched by a magic wand, the limits we thought exclusive to the 90s can be surpassed. He gave us a performance we will remember for a lifetime.
But how sad it feels to say goodbye to Pantani's record. The last great bastion of 90s mystique is leaving us. Marco's record was not just a time on a table; it was a monument to a tragic hero, to the bandana-wearing climber who taught us to love suffering in the high mountains.
Pogačar takes the stopwatch crown and is confirmed as The GOAT, but Il Pirata will never lose his throne as the king of the heart of the 21 bends.
What a day to be alive and love cycling!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new Alpe d'Huez climb record in 2026?
Tadej Pogačar set the new Alpe d'Huez climb record in the 2026 Tour de France with a time of 35 minutes and 27 seconds.
How long did Marco Pantani's Alpe d'Huez record stand?
Marco Pantani's record of 36 minutes and 40 seconds, set in the 1995 Tour de France, stood for 31 years until Pogačar surpassed it in 2026.
How many watts per kilogram did Pogačar generate on Alpe d'Huez 2026?
Pogačar sustained a power of 6.99 W/kg during the climb, compared to Pantani's 6.89 W/kg in 1995.
What is VAM in cycling?
VAM (Vertical Ascent Speed) measures the meters of elevation gain per hour. Pogačar achieved a VAM of 1894 m/h on Alpe d'Huez 2026, surpassing Pantani's (1815 m/h) in 1995.
Why the song Hold me, Thrill me, Kiss me, Kill me?
Mainly, the album cover is perfect for capturing the duel for the Alpe D'Huez record. But additionally, the song describes a person who has lost themselves in the glitz of fame ('You're a star'), but who is also aware of the traps and superficiality that come with it ('Dressing like your sister, Living like a tart'). It is an exploration of fame and its contradictions. The lyrics were written by Bono, the frontman of U2.