Key events

2m ago Pogacar launches attack on the Tourmalet
19m ago Leader Traeen falls back
4h ago William Fotheringham previews stage six
5h ago Current points and mountains standings
5h ago Overall classification update
5h ago Opening remarks

Pogacar surges forward on the Tourmalet

42km remaining: Del Toro puts in a sharp effort with Pogacar following closely, then the Slovenian moves to the front and drops his own teammate behind.

Vingegaard and Lipowitz work together in pursuit, trailing by 10 seconds, while Seixas stays within reach. Four kilometres remain to the Tourmalet summit. Seixas sits fourth on the road.

43km remaining. Seixas has no support left. Vingegaard relies on Sepp Kuss once more. UAE holds the edge with Yates and Del Toro still ahead setting tempo for Pogacar.

Pogacar reports over team radio that he feels strong and prepares for a decisive move. Lipowitz and Evenepoel ride side by side.

Paul Taylor shares an update from the summit: He climbed the Tourmalet recently and notes the road temperatures exceed the reported mid to late thirties, hitting 43 degrees in the valley earlier. He recalls riding with Rod years ago and appreciates the photo shared.

45km remaining: Tom Pidcock of Pinarello-Q36.5 loses contact on the steep 11 per cent sections and drops 25 seconds back. A shift toward stage hunting may follow if more time slips away. Torstein Traeen meanwhile trails by 1 minute 45 seconds.

Brandon McNulty leads the effort as Prodhomme brings Seixas alongside Vingegaard. Fifteen riders remain in the lead group with Carapaz and Bernal struggling at the rear. Seven kilometres still separate them from the summit.

Leader Traeen loses ground

48km remaining: Ten kilometres from the hors categorie summit and Traeen cannot stay with the group. His advantage over Pogacar stands at 7 minutes 53 seconds but the gap begins to close. Ahead Tim Wellens finishes his pull and Felix Grossschartner takes over, providing steady support like key midfield players.

Other valuable domestiques also fade including Matteo Jorgenson, Jai Hindley and Matthew Riccitello. The defending champion team shows no let up.

51km remaining. Addressing earlier questions on time cuts for sprinters Ger Nugent asks whether missing the cut yet holding the most points would still secure the green jersey. The answer is no, completion of the full race to Paris remains essential to claim any classification.

53km remaining: Emmanuel Macron waves from the race director vehicle hoping for a strong showing from Paul Seixas. Martinez narrowly took the Aspin KOM ahead of Paret Peintre. The group now tackles the gentler lower slopes of the Col du Tourmalet where the final 13 kilometres rarely ease below eight per cent. Harsh conditions indeed.

Adam Blythe on TNT Sports forecasts Pogacar will attack aggressively on the Tourmalet to fracture the field.

58km remaining. Kate Puttock raises a timely concern about sprinters facing potential mass time cut failures today. Arvid de Kleijn and Bert Van Lerberghe have already exited while Merlier support has also withdrawn. The green jersey group trails by 12 minutes but should survive the remaining three climbs though week three Alpine stages will intensify the issue.

66km remaining: After crossing the Aspin the descent begins. Valentin Paret Peintre attacks too soon before the summit. Lenny Martinez of Bahrain Victorious edges him in the sprint for 10 KOM points with a photo finish deciding the outcome.

69km remaining: The peloton stretches out. Paul Seixas sits mid group while his helper Aurelien Paret Peintre drops back along with KOM leader Alex Baudin, white jersey Mathias Vacek and second placed Sean Quinn. Race leader Torstein Traeen stays glued to Vingegaard suggesting the American may not claim yellow today.

72km remaining: UAE Team Emirates XRG appear compact and focused. Four domestiques lead the 40 rider group with Pogacar and Del Toro following. Tim Wellens assumes pace setting from Politt. O Connor rejoins the main field.

Matthew Lysaght wonders when Pogacar will accelerate to shatter the peloton and crest the Tourmalet solo before attacking the final climb. He also comments on Quinn Simmons distinctive national champion jersey and appearance.

The steepest middle section of the Tourmalet with pitches near 10 per cent offers the likely launch point aided by a slight tailwind.

74km remaining: Halfway up the Aspin Juan Ayuso of Lidl Trek suffered a mechanical at the base and required several kilometres to rejoin. Stage winner across all grand tours Ben O Connor holds 25 seconds. A late starter in cycling he once played cricket in Perth alongside Cameron Bancroft.

77km remaining: Scott Wedel asks whether the chase targets O Connor or builds for later efforts on the Tourmalet. Both aims apply. UAE Team Emirates with Nils Politt now leading onto the Aspin seek to impose a hard tempo that weakens rivals before the key climb while keeping O Connor close enough for a potential stage victory.

81km remaining: Andy returns from a break to cover the Aspin and Tourmalet action. Enjoy the coverage.

84km remaining: Sean Kelly questions why Uno X Mobility continues to ride perhaps in thanks for Pogacar allowing Torstein Traeen to take yellow. Jens Voigt on the motorbike suggests they simply wish to express gratitude and offers to confirm via team car WhatsApp.

85km remaining: O Connor leads by 1 minute 10 seconds. Jens Voigt notes the UAE pace signals Tadej intent to claim the stage.

86km remaining: Ben O Connor spoke with Discovery Plus before the stage explaining the Giro focus early season yet always planning a Tour appearance to target a stage win. He views today as a slim opportunity noting heat as the main challenge and the balance between GC and breakaway possibilities on the final climb after the Tourmalet.

93km remaining: The stage reaches its midpoint. Action has been constant and the second half features a category one climb an HC ascent and a category two finish with 4100 metres of total climbing ahead after 1120 metres completed. Temperatures feel less extreme than recent days.

95km remaining: O Connor sits 38 minutes 23 seconds down on GC and leads the chase group by 43 seconds. McEwen suggests no need for UAE to chase yet the pressure serves Pogacar strategy.

96km remaining: Earlier intermediate sprint results showed Pedersen first followed by Campanaerts Kanter Philipsen and Girmay.

99km remaining: O Connor holds a 41 second advantage. He maintains a strong rhythm and shakes his head toward the camera apparently questioning why UAE refuses to ease the chase.

101km remaining: O Connor extends to 1 minute 12 seconds. UAE appears content to allow the lone rider freedom rather than reel him in and risk further attacks.

104km remaining: The Philipsen group trailing now numbers 10 riders including Askey Merlier Bauhaus Pedersen Dillier Eenkhorn Otruba Marsman and Allegaert.

105km remaining: Philipsen and companions trail the bunch by 2 minutes 45 seconds facing a tough effort to beat the time cut. Average speed exceeds 45 km/h with Tim Wellens leading for UAE. Ben O Connor pushes 24 seconds clear. Sean Kelly notes concern that UAE pressure may fracture the race for Pogacar benefit on GC.

108km remaining: The route turns fully uphill toward the Col d Aspin followed by a fast descent then the iconic Tourmalet. Four thousand one hundred metres of climbing remain with only 1120 metres completed so far.

109km remaining: Ben O Connor of Jayco AlUla and Xabier Azparren of Pinarello Q36.5 break clear over the Cote de Mauvezin. O Connor claims two points Azparren one. High pace continues.

110km remaining: Roland corrects a photo caption noting the image shows the route toward Port de Bucharo rather than the Cirque de Gavarnie and provides details on accessing the Breche de Roland and nearby glacier conditions.

110.5km remaining: The earlier break of 10 riders has been caught. Einer Rubio and Valentin Paret Peintre feature prominently with 1.5 kilometres left on the Cote de Mauvezin.

111km remaining: Ollie emails that roadside spectating loses appeal in current heat preferring desk work until week three.