Tadej Pogacar extends Tour de France lead in Stage 19

(Photo credit: JASON BEAN/RGJ / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Tour de France leader Tadej Pogacar strengthened his hold on the race with a solo victory Friday in Stage 19.

The 25-year-old Slovenian used his climbing skills to finish the 145-kilometer Alpine trek from Embrun to Isola 2000 a full 21 seconds ahead of American Matteo Jorgenson and 40 seconds in front of Britain's Adam Yates.

A two-time champion, Pogacar retained the y