{"id":2060512,"date":"2026-07-24T11:08:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T08:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2060512"},"modified":"2026-07-24T11:08:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T08:08:12","slug":"the-goal-is-to-be-at-the-front-and-fight-for-this-jersey-valentin-paret-peintre-continues-tour-de-france-polka-dot-battle-against-pogacar-and-carapaz-on-alpe-dhuez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2060512","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;The goal is to be at the front and fight for this jersey&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre continues Tour de France polka dot battle against Poga\u010dar and Carapaz on Alpe d&#8217;Huez"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-2001-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends yellow-jersey lead on first of two back-to-back ascents of Alpe d&#8217;Huez\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cEsH4jw9ZzpHAkQsHoKMSi-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cEsH4jw9ZzpHAkQsHoKMSi-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: GC drama on the slopes of the Col du Haag during stage 14 of the Tour de France\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eVSE6LWDoYCc2yxTskQHdR-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eVSE6LWDoYCc2yxTskQHdR-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;There was a misunderstanding, but Remco was better&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar\u00a0suffers a rare defeat as he turns domestique at Tour de France\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nSoudal-QuickStep\n<\/li>\n<li>\nValentin Paret-Peintre\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;The goal is to be at the front and fight for this jersey&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre continues Tour de France polka dot battle against Poga\u010dar and Carapaz on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-24T11:08:12Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n24 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;There&#8217;s one I can control, and the other who does pretty much what he wants&#8217; says Frenchman<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Richard Carapaz and Valentin Paret-Peintre are among the competitors for the Tour de France&#8217;s mountain classification<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip 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tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-af629996-874d-11f1-aa28-af86a0901331\">While the battle for the yellow jersey at the Tour de France might be all but over \u2013 barring any final weekend illness for Tadej Poga\u010dar \u2013 the other major competitions are still up for grabs as the race hits L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez twice en route to Paris.<\/p>\n<p>Mads Pedersen will be hoping to hang on to his green jersey, while there&#8217;s a three-way fight for the white jersey of best young rider. So too for the polka dot jersey of the mountain classification.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-af629996-874d-11f1-aa28-af86a0901331-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar held onto the jersey by a single point on Thursday as Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep) hoovered up points on the way to Orci\u00e8res-Merlette before finishing fourth at the finish.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-0f809054-8761-11f1-9455-d3669334aa71\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Stage 19 live<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Tour de France stage 19 LIVE<\/strong><strong> \u2013 Race heads to Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-0f8090ea-8761-11f1-a51c-79555c3bf9ad\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Frenchman now has 69 points to Poga\u010dar&#8217;s 70, while stage 18 winner Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) lies in third on 63 points. A maximum of 110 points are on offer over the next two stages, however.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Friday&#8217;s stage from Gap to L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez features two second-category climbs offering five points apiece, the early Col du Noyer offering 10, and the summit finish offering 20.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Forget Tadej Poga\u010dar and the GC, the Tour de France green jersey battle on stage 17 was way more fun &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 of the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends yellow-jersey lead on first of two back-to-back ascents of Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Saturday&#8217;s stage 20, meanwhile, is surely where the polka dot jersey will be won with 70 points up for grabs. The Col de la Croix-de-Fer, Col du Galibier, and Col de Sarenne offer 20 points each while there are 10 points available on the Col du T\u00e9l\u00e9graphe.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Carapaz won the prize in 2024, while Poga\u010dar took it home in 2020, 2021, and last July. Can Paret-Peintre become the first Frenchman to win it since Romain Bardet in 2019?<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EQPPdn3AUv5g5PUZ3amkDZ\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EQPPdn3AUv5g5PUZ3amkDZ slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was a good day in terms of the polka dot jersey; I really fought for it at the end, that&#8217;s what was driving me,&#8221; he told <em>L&#8217;Equipe<\/em> after stage 18.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In the end, I was dead, I was really empty. I got dropped on the pedals during the final climb; I was simply at my absolute limit, and right where I belonged.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Paret-Peintre missed out on taking France&#8217;s first stage victory of the Tour as Carapaz soared away with 3.5km to go on Thursday. French fans are facing up to the prospect of the third edition in history (after 1920 and 1999) without a French stage winner.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Without Remco going for the overall, you feel more free&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre enjoys extra liberty to aim high in the mountains of the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">With one sprint stage remaining, the Tour de France green points jersey is Mads Pedersen&#8217;s to lose &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar flies to victory atop l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez on stage 19<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Soudal-QuickStep climber saved last year&#8217;s Tour for the home nation with a win atop Mont Ventoux, but this year he sounds firmly focussed on the jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve closed the gap nicely, and we can still believe in it. I hope I recover well so I can try and get back out there tomorrow; there will be a few less flat sections,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Over the two remaining mountain days, the goal is to be at the front and fight for this jersey. It will be difficult against Poga\u010dar and difficult against Carapaz.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There&#8217;s one I can control, and the other who does pretty much what he wants.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-EQPPdn3AUv5g5PUZ3amkDZ\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-EQPPdn3AUv5g5PUZ3amkDZ slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Dani Ostanek<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro L\u00e9on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Forget Tadej Poga\u010dar and the GC, the Tour de France green jersey battle on stage 17 was way more fun &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 of the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends yellow-jersey lead on first of two back-to-back ascents of Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Without Remco going for the overall, you feel more free&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre enjoys extra liberty to aim high in the mountains of the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">With one sprint stage remaining, the Tour de France green points jersey is Mads Pedersen&#8217;s to lose &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar flies to victory atop l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez on stage 19<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Unpopular opinion: Alpe d&#8217;Huez is on the limit, and it wasn&#8217;t even the best atmosphere at this Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;ve kept motivating each other&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro tightens grip on Tour de France podium as UAE Team Emirates bounce back from illness<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar smashes 30-year-old Alpe d&#8217;Huez climbing record set by Marco Pantani<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I couldn&#8217;t stop thinking about this stage&#8217; &#8211; non-conformist Richard Carapaz makes the most of his last clear opportunity to seize Tour de France stage victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PMPB4Ktkgyi63vFYStoqSg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PMPB4Ktkgyi63vFYStoqSg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PMPB4Ktkgyi63vFYStoqSg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PMPB4Ktkgyi63vFYStoqSg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PMPB4Ktkgyi63vFYStoqSg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was on people&#8217;s blacklists&#8217; &#8211; Tom Pidcock absent from Tour de France breakaway on first day in the Alps<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There are bodies everywhere&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar plays down wave of illness within UAE camp at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was dead there&#8217; &#8211; 2022 Alpe d&#8217;Huez winner Tom Pidcock suffers badly on same ascent in 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;With all those people, something was bound to go wrong&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel strengthens his Tour de France position despite being blocked by fans and motorbikes on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kpF9gUmfdABZ7kmmC5wUpb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kpF9gUmfdABZ7kmmC5wUpb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kpF9gUmfdABZ7kmmC5wUpb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kpF9gUmfdABZ7kmmC5wUpb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kpF9gUmfdABZ7kmmC5wUpb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sepp Kuss still aiming for Tour de France stage win on Alpe d&#8217;Huez after being denied by Tadej Poga\u010dar on stage 19<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;ve kept motivating each other&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro tightens grip on Tour de France podium as UAE Team Emirates bounce back from illness<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DDJiEv8NbZJvhywZdNAe6B-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DDJiEv8NbZJvhywZdNAe6B-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DDJiEv8NbZJvhywZdNAe6B-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DDJiEv8NbZJvhywZdNAe6B-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DDJiEv8NbZJvhywZdNAe6B-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Safety<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Einer Rubio out of Tour de France after crashing into UAE Team Emirates car that came to a sudden stop on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar smashes 30-year-old Alpe d&#8217;Huez climbing record set by Marco Pantani<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I was dead there&#8217; &#8211; 2022 Alpe d&#8217;Huez winner Tom Pidcock suffers badly on same ascent in 2026 Tour de France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;With all those people, something was bound to go wrong&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel strengthens his Tour de France position despite being blocked by fans and motorbikes on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Sepp Kuss still aiming for Tour de France stage win on Alpe d&#8217;Huez after being denied by Tadej Poga\u010dar on stage 19<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We&#8217;ve kept motivating each other&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro tightens grip on Tour de France podium as UAE Team Emirates bounce back from illness<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>FDJ United-Suez reveal special new kit for Tour de France Femmes and 2027 season<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nSoudal-QuickStep\n<\/li>\n<li>\nValentin Paret-Peintre\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;The goal is to be at the front and fight for this jersey&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre continues Tour de France polka dot battle against Poga\u010dar and Carapaz on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-24T11:08:12Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n24 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;There&#8217;s one I can control, and the other who does pretty much what he wants&#8217; says Frenchman<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Richard Carapaz and Valentin Paret-Peintre are among the competitors for the Tour de France&#8217;s mountain classification<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" 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tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-af629996-874d-11f1-aa28-af86a0901331\">While the battle for the yellow jersey at the Tour de France might be all but over \u2013 barring any final weekend illness for Tadej Poga\u010dar \u2013 the other major competitions are still up for grabs as the race hits L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez twice en route to Paris.<\/p>\n<p>Mads Pedersen will be hoping to hang on to his green jersey, while there&#8217;s a three-way fight for the white jersey of best young rider. So too for the polka dot jersey of the mountain classification.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-af629996-874d-11f1-aa28-af86a0901331-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar held onto the jersey by a single point on Thursday as Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep) hoovered up points on the way to Orci\u00e8res-Merlette before finishing fourth at the finish.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-0f809054-8761-11f1-9455-d3669334aa71\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Stage 19 live<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Tour de France stage 19 LIVE<\/strong><strong> \u2013 Race heads to Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-0f8090ea-8761-11f1-a51c-79555c3bf9ad\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Frenchman now has 69 points to Poga\u010dar&#8217;s 70, while stage 18 winner Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) lies in third on 63 points. A maximum of 110 points are on offer over the next two stages, however.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Friday&#8217;s stage from Gap to L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez features two second-category climbs offering five points apiece, the early Col du Noyer offering 10, and the summit finish offering 20.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Forget Tadej Poga\u010dar and the GC, the Tour de France green jersey battle on stage 17 was way more fun &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 of the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends yellow-jersey lead on first of two back-to-back ascents of Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Saturday&#8217;s stage 20, meanwhile, is surely where the polka dot jersey will be won with 70 points up for grabs. The Col de la Croix-de-Fer, Col du Galibier, and Col de Sarenne offer 20 points each while there are 10 points available on the Col du T\u00e9l\u00e9graphe.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Carapaz won the prize in 2024, while Poga\u010dar took it home in 2020, 2021, and last July. Can Paret-Peintre become the first Frenchman to win it since Romain Bardet in 2019?<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EQPPdn3AUv5g5PUZ3amkDZ\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EQPPdn3AUv5g5PUZ3amkDZ slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was a good day in terms of the polka dot jersey; I really fought for it at the end, that&#8217;s what was driving me,&#8221; he told <em>L&#8217;Equipe<\/em> after stage 18.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In the end, I was dead, I was really empty. I got dropped on the pedals during the final climb; I was simply at my absolute limit, and right where I belonged.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Paret-Peintre missed out on taking France&#8217;s first stage victory of the Tour as Carapaz soared away with 3.5km to go on Thursday. French fans are facing up to the prospect of the third edition in history (after 1920 and 1999) without a French stage winner.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Without Remco going for the overall, you feel more free&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre enjoys extra liberty to aim high in the mountains of the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">With one sprint stage remaining, the Tour de France green points jersey is Mads Pedersen&#8217;s to lose &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar flies to victory atop l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez on stage 19<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Soudal-QuickStep climber saved last year&#8217;s Tour for the home nation with a win atop Mont Ventoux, but this year he sounds firmly focussed on the jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve closed the gap nicely, and we can still believe in it. I hope I recover well so I can try and get back out there tomorrow; there will be a few less flat sections,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Over the two remaining mountain days, the goal is to be at the front and fight for this jersey. It will be difficult against Poga\u010dar and difficult against Carapaz.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There&#8217;s one I can control, and the other who does pretty much what he wants.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-EQPPdn3AUv5g5PUZ3amkDZ\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-EQPPdn3AUv5g5PUZ3amkDZ slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Dani Ostanek<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro L\u00e9on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Forget Tadej Poga\u010dar and the GC, the Tour de France green jersey battle on stage 17 was way more fun &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 of the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends yellow-jersey lead on first of two back-to-back ascents of Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Without Remco going for the overall, you feel more free&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre enjoys extra liberty to aim high in the mountains of the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">With one sprint stage remaining, the Tour de France green points jersey is Mads Pedersen&#8217;s to lose &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar flies to victory atop l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez on stage 19<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Unpopular opinion: Alpe d&#8217;Huez is on the limit, and it wasn&#8217;t even the best atmosphere at this Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;ve kept motivating each other&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro tightens grip on Tour de France podium as UAE Team Emirates bounce back from illness<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar smashes 30-year-old Alpe d&#8217;Huez climbing record set by Marco Pantani<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I couldn&#8217;t stop thinking about this stage&#8217; &#8211; non-conformist Richard Carapaz makes the most of his last clear opportunity to seize Tour de France stage victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PMPB4Ktkgyi63vFYStoqSg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PMPB4Ktkgyi63vFYStoqSg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PMPB4Ktkgyi63vFYStoqSg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PMPB4Ktkgyi63vFYStoqSg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PMPB4Ktkgyi63vFYStoqSg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was on people&#8217;s blacklists&#8217; &#8211; Tom Pidcock absent from Tour de France breakaway on first day in the Alps<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fftEDFeDKAknmzR5GVLesX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There are bodies everywhere&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar plays down wave of illness within UAE camp at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was dead there&#8217; &#8211; 2022 Alpe d&#8217;Huez winner Tom Pidcock suffers badly on same ascent in 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;With all those people, something was bound to go wrong&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel strengthens his Tour de France position despite being blocked by fans and motorbikes on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kpF9gUmfdABZ7kmmC5wUpb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kpF9gUmfdABZ7kmmC5wUpb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kpF9gUmfdABZ7kmmC5wUpb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kpF9gUmfdABZ7kmmC5wUpb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kpF9gUmfdABZ7kmmC5wUpb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sepp Kuss still aiming for Tour de France stage win on Alpe d&#8217;Huez after being denied by Tadej Poga\u010dar on stage 19<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;ve kept motivating each other&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro tightens grip on Tour de France podium as UAE Team Emirates bounce back from illness<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DDJiEv8NbZJvhywZdNAe6B-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DDJiEv8NbZJvhywZdNAe6B-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DDJiEv8NbZJvhywZdNAe6B-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DDJiEv8NbZJvhywZdNAe6B-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DDJiEv8NbZJvhywZdNAe6B-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Safety<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Einer Rubio out of Tour de France after crashing into UAE Team Emirates car that came to a sudden stop on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar smashes 30-year-old Alpe d&#8217;Huez climbing record set by Marco Pantani<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeGVPE66PVGqiHfrP26ptj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I was dead there&#8217; &#8211; 2022 Alpe d&#8217;Huez winner Tom Pidcock suffers badly on same ascent in 2026 Tour de France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;With all those people, something was bound to go wrong&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel strengthens his Tour de France position despite being blocked by fans and motorbikes on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Sepp Kuss still aiming for Tour de France stage win on Alpe d&#8217;Huez after being denied by Tadej Poga\u010dar on stage 19<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We&#8217;ve kept motivating each other&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro tightens grip on Tour de France podium as UAE Team Emirates bounce back from illness<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>FDJ United-Suez reveal special new kit for Tour de France Femmes and 2027 season<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nSoudal-QuickStep\n<\/li>\n<li>\nValentin Paret-Peintre\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;The goal is to be at the front and fight for this jersey&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre continues Tour de France polka dot battle against Poga\u010dar and Carapaz on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-24T11:08:12Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n24 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;There&#8217;s one I can control, and the other who does pretty much what he wants&#8217; says Frenchman<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-af629996-874d-11f1-aa28-af86a0901331\">While the battle for the yellow jersey at the Tour de France might be all but over \u2013 barring any final weekend illness for Tadej Poga\u010dar \u2013 the other major competitions are still up for grabs as the race hits L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez twice en route to Paris.<\/p>\n<p>Mads Pedersen will be hoping to hang on to his green jersey, while there&#8217;s a three-way fight for the white jersey of best young rider. So too for the polka dot jersey of the mountain classification.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-af629996-874d-11f1-aa28-af86a0901331-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar held onto the jersey by a single point on Thursday as Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep) hoovered up points on the way to Orci\u00e8res-Merlette before finishing fourth at the finish.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-0f809054-8761-11f1-9455-d3669334aa71\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Stage 19 live<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Tour de France stage 19 LIVE<\/strong><strong> \u2013 Race heads to Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-0f8090ea-8761-11f1-a51c-79555c3bf9ad\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Frenchman now has 69 points to Poga\u010dar&#8217;s 70, while stage 18 winner Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) lies in third on 63 points. A maximum of 110 points are on offer over the next two stages, however.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Friday&#8217;s stage from Gap to L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez features two second-category climbs offering five points apiece, the early Col du Noyer offering 10, and the summit finish offering 20.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qoRRZVudN4CaicZwDDp2YE-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Forget Tadej Poga\u010dar and the GC, the Tour de France green jersey battle on stage 17 was way more fun &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 of the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dy4SBZHu3hJwvn3yyRnxhg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends yellow-jersey lead on first of two back-to-back ascents of Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Saturday&#8217;s stage 20, meanwhile, is surely where the polka dot jersey will be won with 70 points up for grabs. The Col de la Croix-de-Fer, Col du Galibier, and Col de Sarenne offer 20 points each while there are 10 points available on the Col du T\u00e9l\u00e9graphe.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Carapaz won the prize in 2024, while Poga\u010dar took it home in 2020, 2021, and last July. Can Paret-Peintre become the first Frenchman to win it since Romain Bardet in 2019?<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EQPPdn3AUv5g5PUZ3amkDZ\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-EQPPdn3AUv5g5PUZ3amkDZ slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was a good day in terms of the polka dot jersey; I really fought for it at the end, that&#8217;s what was driving me,&#8221; he told <em>L&#8217;Equipe<\/em> after stage 18.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In the end, I was dead, I was really empty. I got dropped on the pedals during the final climb; I was simply at my absolute limit, and right where I belonged.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Paret-Peintre missed out on taking France&#8217;s first stage victory of the Tour as Carapaz soared away with 3.5km to go on Thursday. French fans are facing up to the prospect of the third edition in history (after 1920 and 1999) without a French stage winner.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Without Remco going for the overall, you feel more free&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre enjoys extra liberty to aim high in the mountains of the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aLm8dEn7ULG8aJ6ntcjtX6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">With one sprint stage remaining, the Tour de France green points jersey is Mads Pedersen&#8217;s to lose &#8211; Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mDyXvuccsCvvuuSSuwXtne-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar flies to victory atop l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez on stage 19<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Soudal-QuickStep climber saved last year&#8217;s Tour for the home nation with a win atop Mont Ventoux, but this year he sounds firmly focussed on the jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve closed the gap nicely, and we can still believe in it. I hope I recover well so I can try and get back out there tomorrow; there will be a few less flat sections,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Over the two remaining mountain days, the goal is to be at the front and fight for this jersey. It will be difficult against Poga\u010dar and difficult against Carapaz.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There&#8217;s one I can control, and the other who does pretty much what he wants.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/the-goal-is-to-be-at-the-front-and-fight-for-this-jersey-valentin-paret-peintre-continues-tour-de-france-polka-dot-battle-against-pogacar-and-carapaz-on-alpe-dhuez\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAiNvao5ArpZNab5YH4qwU-2001-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends yellow-jersey lead on first of two back-to-back ascents of Alpe d&#8217;Huez 2 As it happened: GC drama on the slopes of the Col du Haag during stage 14 of the Tour de France 3 &#8216;There was a misunderstanding, but Remco was better&#8217; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2060512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2060512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2060512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2060512\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2060512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2060512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2060512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}