{"id":2062197,"date":"2026-07-25T18:31:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T15:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2062197"},"modified":"2026-07-25T18:31:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T15:31:10","slug":"we-gambled-it-all-on-the-third-week-richard-carapaz-fights-back-from-tough-summer-of-recovery-to-claim-maximum-climbing-honours-at-tour-de-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2062197","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;We gambled it all on the third week&#8217; &#8211; Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at Tour de France"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-2000-80.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\/DXdubQjs8RYd2sLnJy7cr3-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DXdubQjs8RYd2sLnJy7cr3-80-80.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 Race leader Tadej Poga\u010dar all but confirms fifth title with one stage remaining\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\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-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: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 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\/nYxefX9WP8CfbrgFQR4MB-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nYxefX9WP8CfbrgFQR4MB-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                                    As it happened: victory goes to the breakaway in the Alps on stage 18 of the 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>\nEF Education-EasyPost\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRichard Carapaz\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;We gambled it all on the third week&#8217; &#8211; Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at Tour de France<\/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 \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/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=\"2026-07-25T18:31:10Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Ecuadorian takes mountain jersey and second Tour stage in exceptional three days through the Alps<\/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\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-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 hoists the best climber&#8217;s trophy after stage 20 and will wear the polka dot jersey on the final day into Paris<\/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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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\">2<\/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-8ce63f50-8854-11f1-925e-af891430b254\">Looking at the way Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) managed to clinch first, third and then first again on the 2026 Tour de France&#8217;s three Alpine stages, it&#8217;s hard to believe that earlier this summer the 33-year-old was battling so hard against the after-effects of a major operation, needing to spend three weeks off the bike.<\/p>\n<p>But at the same time, that was what laid the foundation for Carapaz to succeed in such dramatic fashion this July.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8ce63f50-8854-11f1-925e-af891430b254-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The rider from Ecuador&#8217;s recovery from an operation to remove a perineal cyst in April proved so drawn-out that he had to cancel his initial Grand Tour objective for 2026, going for a top GC result in the Giro d&#8217;Italia in May.<\/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<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Instead, his thoughts turned to the Tour de France, and seeing what he could achieve there. But as Carapaz explained to reporters after netting his second Alpine stage win at Alpe d&#8217;Huez and the overall in the mountains classification for a second time in three years, his uneven condition made racing for GC impossible, as well as any top result in the first week through the Pyrenees. Instead, he needed to wait for deeper into the race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An initial bid for glory in Le Lioran on stage 9 fell foul of Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) desire to win that day for himself, but also hinted strongly at rising form. Another breakaway in the Vosges also boded well.<\/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\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-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;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><\/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\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-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: Richard Carapaz flies solo across the final kilometres to land stunning mountaintop victory on stage 18<\/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\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-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: Richard Carapaz wins breakaway epic on brutal stage 20 to Alpe d&#8217;Huez after late disaster by Sepp Kuss<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And if the first day in the Alps at Orci\u00e8res-Merlette saw Carapaz clinch a first stage victory and Friday his breakaway was poleaxed again by Poga\u010dar, Saturday brought him a massive double triumph: an unmatchable lead in the mountains ranking and an even bigger stage win at Alpe d&#8217;Huez.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When I knew I wasn&#8217;t doing the Giro, it was a really complicated situation for me,&#8221; Carapaz told reporters after celebrating the double victory.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-JnJdAdxveNsSW7UwEiSy5T\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-JnJdAdxveNsSW7UwEiSy5T 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;I had had an operation and I spent nearly three weeks without riding my bike. Then you always start out doubting if you are building for a top Grand Tour performance in the right way.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Fortunately, my team and the people who I had supporting me, like my family and friends, helped me enormously, both in practical terms and psychologically, and that&#8217;s hugely important.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then we knew how I was heading into the Tour, we knew the first week would be difficult, but we managed to handle it well, lose time on the stages when I had to lose time and gamble it all on the third week. Which is what we did.&#8221;<\/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\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-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\">Richard Carapaz weighs up options for June racing return ahead of Tour de France bid<\/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\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-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;Rinse and repeat&#8217; formula for motivated EF Education-EasyPost leaders Richard Carapaz and Ben Healy for Tour de France stage wins and aggressive climbing<\/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\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-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 shreds the field in the Massif Central to extend GC lead and claim stage 10<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Coming into stage 20 with a one-point lead in the mountains classification over race leader Poga\u010dar and seven on Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep), Carapaz said that the big goal was to try to ensure he got enough of an advantage on a stage littered with high mountain climbs. Whilst the Frenchman, a winner on Mont Ventoux in 2025, definitively fell out of the running fairly quickly, Carapaz made it into the break of the day. Having learned his lesson on stage 19, he knew Poga\u010dar was more than capable of making a late challenge.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Today, the number one objective was the mountains jersey, but after coming over the Galibier, there were four of us out front working very well together,&#8221; he said about riding with Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek), Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and his most persistent challenger, Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike), who was unlucky enough to fall twice late on.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We had a good advantage of around four minutes at the foot of the final climb [Col de Sarenne] and my main strategy was to try and stay calm,&#8221; he explained. &#8220;I knew I had good legs, good enough to win, but it was a very different tactic to stage 19.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Yesterday [Saturday] I was far more aggressive, far keener to push the boat out. This time round I played the long game. I knew that I had to simply go at my own pace on the climb for 30 minutes and that&#8217;s what kept me up there for the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There was a moment on the climb when Sepp attacked me and I was close, so close, but not quite there &#8211; six seconds, seven seconds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But then I don&#8217;t know what happened to him on the descent, I suddenly went past him lying on the ground and that was that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The last challenge was the long, painful grind up to the finish at Alpe d&#8217;Huez, no longer a classified ascent as it was just four kilometres long, but at the end of a stage featuring three HC climbs and more than 5,000 metres of vertical climbing, a really tough ask all the same.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I suffered incredibly on that climb,&#8221; said Carapaz, finally just 26 seconds ahead of counter-attacker and Tour runner-up Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) by the summit, which at the end of the toughest mountain stage of the race, was a ridiculously small time gap.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I knew all the climb very well from the previous day, and it ended up being eternal. I suffered so much to get to the top, but I had to give it everything, and I think it was worth it, just to be able to sit here [as stage winner] and talk it all through with you today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for how winning the mountains ranking and his stages this time round felt compared to the 2024 Tour, Carapaz said, &#8220;It&#8217;s been a very hard race this year, with a lot of records broken. But taking the polka dot jersey is very complicated and it was very difficult in 2024 and then in 2021, Poga\u010dar beat me to it by the bare minimum.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;This year has been really hard, with so many different battles, and I knew this last week would be very hard. But the third week is always my favourite, too, and I think we&#8217;ve achieved all the objectives we had when we set out from Barcelona.&#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-JnJdAdxveNsSW7UwEiSy5T\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-JnJdAdxveNsSW7UwEiSy5T 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\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.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\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/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>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/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\/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\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-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: Richard Carapaz flies solo across the final kilometres to land stunning mountaintop victory on stage 18<\/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\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-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: Richard Carapaz wins breakaway epic on brutal stage 20 to Alpe d&#8217;Huez after late disaster by Sepp Kuss<\/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\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-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\">Richard Carapaz weighs up options for June racing return ahead of Tour de France bid<\/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\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-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;Rinse and repeat&#8217; formula for motivated EF Education-EasyPost leaders Richard Carapaz and Ben Healy for Tour de France stage wins and aggressive climbing<\/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\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-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 shreds the field in the Massif Central to extend GC lead and claim stage 10<\/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\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-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;Not easy to finish on the podium being ill&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles<\/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\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-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\">Sepp Kuss hit with big fine, time loss and points deduction for littering 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 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\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-320-80.png.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;Proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel hits back at critics as Tour de France second place overall is all but secured<\/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\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-320-80.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\">\u2018There\u2019s no enjoyment anymore\u2019 &#8211;  Julian Alaphilippe says this is his final 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\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-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&#8217;m impatient to get there&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar closes in on fifth overall victory in Tour de France after successful yellow jersey defence 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\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-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 cracked&#8217; &#8211; Paul Seixas goes all-in for the Tour de France podium but comes up short at 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>\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\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-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;Not easy to finish on the podium being ill&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles<\/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\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-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\">Sepp Kuss hit with big fine, time loss and points deduction for littering 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 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\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-320-80.png.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;Proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel hits back at critics as Tour de France second place overall is all but secured<\/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\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-320-80.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\">\u2018There\u2019s no enjoyment anymore\u2019 &#8211;  Julian Alaphilippe says this is his final 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\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-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&#8217;m impatient to get there&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar closes in on fifth overall victory in Tour de France after successful yellow jersey defence 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\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-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 cracked&#8217; &#8211; Paul Seixas goes all-in for the Tour de France podium but comes up short at 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>\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\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-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;Not easy to finish on the podium being ill&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles<\/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;We gambled it all on the third week&#8217; &#8211; Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at 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\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Sepp Kuss hit with big fine, time loss and points deduction for littering at 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\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel hits back at critics as Tour de France second place overall is all but secured<\/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>\u2018There\u2019s no enjoyment anymore\u2019 &#8211; Julian Alaphilippe says this is his final Tour de France<\/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>\nEF Education-EasyPost\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRichard Carapaz\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;We gambled it all on the third week&#8217; &#8211; Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at Tour de France<\/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 \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/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=\"2026-07-25T18:31:10Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Ecuadorian takes mountain jersey and second Tour stage in exceptional three days through the Alps<\/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\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-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 hoists the best climber&#8217;s trophy after stage 20 and will wear the polka dot jersey on the final day into Paris<\/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-8ce63f50-8854-11f1-925e-af891430b254\">Looking at the way Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) managed to clinch first, third and then first again on the 2026 Tour de France&#8217;s three Alpine stages, it&#8217;s hard to believe that earlier this summer the 33-year-old was battling so hard against the after-effects of a major operation, needing to spend three weeks off the bike.<\/p>\n<p>But at the same time, that was what laid the foundation for Carapaz to succeed in such dramatic fashion this July.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8ce63f50-8854-11f1-925e-af891430b254-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The rider from Ecuador&#8217;s recovery from an operation to remove a perineal cyst in April proved so drawn-out that he had to cancel his initial Grand Tour objective for 2026, going for a top GC result in the Giro d&#8217;Italia in May.<\/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<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Instead, his thoughts turned to the Tour de France, and seeing what he could achieve there. But as Carapaz explained to reporters after netting his second Alpine stage win at Alpe d&#8217;Huez and the overall in the mountains classification for a second time in three years, his uneven condition made racing for GC impossible, as well as any top result in the first week through the Pyrenees. Instead, he needed to wait for deeper into the race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An initial bid for glory in Le Lioran on stage 9 fell foul of Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) desire to win that day for himself, but also hinted strongly at rising form. Another breakaway in the Vosges also boded well.<\/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\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-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;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><\/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\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-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: Richard Carapaz flies solo across the final kilometres to land stunning mountaintop victory on stage 18<\/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\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-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: Richard Carapaz wins breakaway epic on brutal stage 20 to Alpe d&#8217;Huez after late disaster by Sepp Kuss<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And if the first day in the Alps at Orci\u00e8res-Merlette saw Carapaz clinch a first stage victory and Friday his breakaway was poleaxed again by Poga\u010dar, Saturday brought him a massive double triumph: an unmatchable lead in the mountains ranking and an even bigger stage win at Alpe d&#8217;Huez.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When I knew I wasn&#8217;t doing the Giro, it was a really complicated situation for me,&#8221; Carapaz told reporters after celebrating the double victory.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-JnJdAdxveNsSW7UwEiSy5T\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-JnJdAdxveNsSW7UwEiSy5T 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;I had had an operation and I spent nearly three weeks without riding my bike. Then you always start out doubting if you are building for a top Grand Tour performance in the right way.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Fortunately, my team and the people who I had supporting me, like my family and friends, helped me enormously, both in practical terms and psychologically, and that&#8217;s hugely important.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then we knew how I was heading into the Tour, we knew the first week would be difficult, but we managed to handle it well, lose time on the stages when I had to lose time and gamble it all on the third week. Which is what we did.&#8221;<\/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\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-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\">Richard Carapaz weighs up options for June racing return ahead of Tour de France bid<\/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\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-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;Rinse and repeat&#8217; formula for motivated EF Education-EasyPost leaders Richard Carapaz and Ben Healy for Tour de France stage wins and aggressive climbing<\/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\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-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 shreds the field in the Massif Central to extend GC lead and claim stage 10<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Coming into stage 20 with a one-point lead in the mountains classification over race leader Poga\u010dar and seven on Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep), Carapaz said that the big goal was to try to ensure he got enough of an advantage on a stage littered with high mountain climbs. Whilst the Frenchman, a winner on Mont Ventoux in 2025, definitively fell out of the running fairly quickly, Carapaz made it into the break of the day. Having learned his lesson on stage 19, he knew Poga\u010dar was more than capable of making a late challenge.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Today, the number one objective was the mountains jersey, but after coming over the Galibier, there were four of us out front working very well together,&#8221; he said about riding with Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek), Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and his most persistent challenger, Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike), who was unlucky enough to fall twice late on.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We had a good advantage of around four minutes at the foot of the final climb [Col de Sarenne] and my main strategy was to try and stay calm,&#8221; he explained. &#8220;I knew I had good legs, good enough to win, but it was a very different tactic to stage 19.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Yesterday [Saturday] I was far more aggressive, far keener to push the boat out. This time round I played the long game. I knew that I had to simply go at my own pace on the climb for 30 minutes and that&#8217;s what kept me up there for the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There was a moment on the climb when Sepp attacked me and I was close, so close, but not quite there &#8211; six seconds, seven seconds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But then I don&#8217;t know what happened to him on the descent, I suddenly went past him lying on the ground and that was that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The last challenge was the long, painful grind up to the finish at Alpe d&#8217;Huez, no longer a classified ascent as it was just four kilometres long, but at the end of a stage featuring three HC climbs and more than 5,000 metres of vertical climbing, a really tough ask all the same.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I suffered incredibly on that climb,&#8221; said Carapaz, finally just 26 seconds ahead of counter-attacker and Tour runner-up Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) by the summit, which at the end of the toughest mountain stage of the race, was a ridiculously small time gap.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I knew all the climb very well from the previous day, and it ended up being eternal. I suffered so much to get to the top, but I had to give it everything, and I think it was worth it, just to be able to sit here [as stage winner] and talk it all through with you today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for how winning the mountains ranking and his stages this time round felt compared to the 2024 Tour, Carapaz said, &#8220;It&#8217;s been a very hard race this year, with a lot of records broken. But taking the polka dot jersey is very complicated and it was very difficult in 2024 and then in 2021, Poga\u010dar beat me to it by the bare minimum.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;This year has been really hard, with so many different battles, and I knew this last week would be very hard. But the third week is always my favourite, too, and I think we&#8217;ve achieved all the objectives we had when we set out from Barcelona.&#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-JnJdAdxveNsSW7UwEiSy5T\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-JnJdAdxveNsSW7UwEiSy5T 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\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.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\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/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>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/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\/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\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-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: Richard Carapaz flies solo across the final kilometres to land stunning mountaintop victory on stage 18<\/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\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-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: Richard Carapaz wins breakaway epic on brutal stage 20 to Alpe d&#8217;Huez after late disaster by Sepp Kuss<\/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\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-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\">Richard Carapaz weighs up options for June racing return ahead of Tour de France bid<\/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\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-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;Rinse and repeat&#8217; formula for motivated EF Education-EasyPost leaders Richard Carapaz and Ben Healy for Tour de France stage wins and aggressive climbing<\/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\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-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 shreds the field in the Massif Central to extend GC lead and claim stage 10<\/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\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-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;Not easy to finish on the podium being ill&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles<\/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\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-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\">Sepp Kuss hit with big fine, time loss and points deduction for littering 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 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\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-320-80.png.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;Proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel hits back at critics as Tour de France second place overall is all but secured<\/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\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-320-80.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\">\u2018There\u2019s no enjoyment anymore\u2019 &#8211;  Julian Alaphilippe says this is his final 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\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-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&#8217;m impatient to get there&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar closes in on fifth overall victory in Tour de France after successful yellow jersey defence 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\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-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 cracked&#8217; &#8211; Paul Seixas goes all-in for the Tour de France podium but comes up short at 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>\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\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-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;Not easy to finish on the podium being ill&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles<\/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\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-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\">Sepp Kuss hit with big fine, time loss and points deduction for littering 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 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\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-320-80.png.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;Proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel hits back at critics as Tour de France second place overall is all but secured<\/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\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-320-80.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\">\u2018There\u2019s no enjoyment anymore\u2019 &#8211;  Julian Alaphilippe says this is his final 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\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-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&#8217;m impatient to get there&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar closes in on fifth overall victory in Tour de France after successful yellow jersey defence 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\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-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 cracked&#8217; &#8211; Paul Seixas goes all-in for the Tour de France podium but comes up short at 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>\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\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-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;Not easy to finish on the podium being ill&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles<\/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;We gambled it all on the third week&#8217; &#8211; Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at 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\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Sepp Kuss hit with big fine, time loss and points deduction for littering at 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\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel hits back at critics as Tour de France second place overall is all but secured<\/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>\u2018There\u2019s no enjoyment anymore\u2019 &#8211; Julian Alaphilippe says this is his final Tour de France<\/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>\nEF Education-EasyPost\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRichard Carapaz\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;We gambled it all on the third week&#8217; &#8211; Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at Tour de France<\/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 \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/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=\"2026-07-25T18:31:10Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Ecuadorian takes mountain jersey and second Tour stage in exceptional three days through the Alps<\/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 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newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-8ce63f50-8854-11f1-925e-af891430b254\">Looking at the way Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) managed to clinch first, third and then first again on the 2026 Tour de France&#8217;s three Alpine stages, it&#8217;s hard to believe that earlier this summer the 33-year-old was battling so hard against the after-effects of a major operation, needing to spend three weeks off the bike.<\/p>\n<p>But at the same time, that was what laid the foundation for Carapaz to succeed in such dramatic fashion this July.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8ce63f50-8854-11f1-925e-af891430b254-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The rider from Ecuador&#8217;s recovery from an operation to remove a perineal cyst in April proved so drawn-out that he had to cancel his initial Grand Tour objective for 2026, going for a top GC result in the Giro d&#8217;Italia in May.<\/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<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Instead, his thoughts turned to the Tour de France, and seeing what he could achieve there. But as Carapaz explained to reporters after netting his second Alpine stage win at Alpe d&#8217;Huez and the overall in the mountains classification for a second time in three years, his uneven condition made racing for GC impossible, as well as any top result in the first week through the Pyrenees. Instead, he needed to wait for deeper into the race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An initial bid for glory in Le Lioran on stage 9 fell foul of Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) desire to win that day for himself, but also hinted strongly at rising form. Another breakaway in the Vosges also boded well.<\/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\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-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;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><\/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\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CuKJmYDPeDDwEXX2sqxg3C-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: Richard Carapaz flies solo across the final kilometres to land stunning mountaintop victory on stage 18<\/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\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-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: Richard Carapaz wins breakaway epic on brutal stage 20 to Alpe d&#8217;Huez after late disaster by Sepp Kuss<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And if the first day in the Alps at Orci\u00e8res-Merlette saw Carapaz clinch a first stage victory and Friday his breakaway was poleaxed again by Poga\u010dar, Saturday brought him a massive double triumph: an unmatchable lead in the mountains ranking and an even bigger stage win at Alpe d&#8217;Huez.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When I knew I wasn&#8217;t doing the Giro, it was a really complicated situation for me,&#8221; Carapaz told reporters after celebrating the double victory.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-JnJdAdxveNsSW7UwEiSy5T\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-JnJdAdxveNsSW7UwEiSy5T 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;I had had an operation and I spent nearly three weeks without riding my bike. Then you always start out doubting if you are building for a top Grand Tour performance in the right way.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Fortunately, my team and the people who I had supporting me, like my family and friends, helped me enormously, both in practical terms and psychologically, and that&#8217;s hugely important.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then we knew how I was heading into the Tour, we knew the first week would be difficult, but we managed to handle it well, lose time on the stages when I had to lose time and gamble it all on the third week. Which is what we did.&#8221;<\/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\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n8qiuftzfp28vAUB6GNu2K-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\">Richard Carapaz weighs up options for June racing return ahead of Tour de France bid<\/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\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n99Kij7hG9GmYrgxXjpmzD-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;Rinse and repeat&#8217; formula for motivated EF Education-EasyPost leaders Richard Carapaz and Ben Healy for Tour de France stage wins and aggressive climbing<\/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\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-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 shreds the field in the Massif Central to extend GC lead and claim stage 10<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Coming into stage 20 with a one-point lead in the mountains classification over race leader Poga\u010dar and seven on Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep), Carapaz said that the big goal was to try to ensure he got enough of an advantage on a stage littered with high mountain climbs. Whilst the Frenchman, a winner on Mont Ventoux in 2025, definitively fell out of the running fairly quickly, Carapaz made it into the break of the day. Having learned his lesson on stage 19, he knew Poga\u010dar was more than capable of making a late challenge.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Today, the number one objective was the mountains jersey, but after coming over the Galibier, there were four of us out front working very well together,&#8221; he said about riding with Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek), Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and his most persistent challenger, Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike), who was unlucky enough to fall twice late on.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We had a good advantage of around four minutes at the foot of the final climb [Col de Sarenne] and my main strategy was to try and stay calm,&#8221; he explained. &#8220;I knew I had good legs, good enough to win, but it was a very different tactic to stage 19.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Yesterday [Saturday] I was far more aggressive, far keener to push the boat out. This time round I played the long game. I knew that I had to simply go at my own pace on the climb for 30 minutes and that&#8217;s what kept me up there for the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There was a moment on the climb when Sepp attacked me and I was close, so close, but not quite there &#8211; six seconds, seven seconds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But then I don&#8217;t know what happened to him on the descent, I suddenly went past him lying on the ground and that was that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The last challenge was the long, painful grind up to the finish at Alpe d&#8217;Huez, no longer a classified ascent as it was just four kilometres long, but at the end of a stage featuring three HC climbs and more than 5,000 metres of vertical climbing, a really tough ask all the same.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I suffered incredibly on that climb,&#8221; said Carapaz, finally just 26 seconds ahead of counter-attacker and Tour runner-up Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) by the summit, which at the end of the toughest mountain stage of the race, was a ridiculously small time gap.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I knew all the climb very well from the previous day, and it ended up being eternal. I suffered so much to get to the top, but I had to give it everything, and I think it was worth it, just to be able to sit here [as stage winner] and talk it all through with you today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for how winning the mountains ranking and his stages this time round felt compared to the 2024 Tour, Carapaz said, &#8220;It&#8217;s been a very hard race this year, with a lot of records broken. But taking the polka dot jersey is very complicated and it was very difficult in 2024 and then in 2021, Poga\u010dar beat me to it by the bare minimum.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;This year has been really hard, with so many different battles, and I knew this last week would be very hard. But the third week is always my favourite, too, and I think we&#8217;ve achieved all the objectives we had when we set out from Barcelona.&#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\/we-gambled-it-all-on-the-third-week-richard-carapaz-fights-back-from-tough-summer-of-recovery-to-claim-maximum-climbing-honours-at-tour-de-france\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Race leader Tadej Poga\u010dar all but confirms fifth title with one stage remaining 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 3 As it happened: victory goes [&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-2062197","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\/2062197","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=2062197"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2062197\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2062197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2062197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2062197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}