{"id":2063404,"date":"2026-07-26T11:21:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T08:21:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2063404"},"modified":"2026-07-26T11:21:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T08:21:05","slug":"nerve-wracking-right-to-the-end-how-richard-carapaz-and-ef-education-easypost-hit-the-tour-de-france-jackpot-on-alpe-dhuez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2063404","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Nerve-wracking right to the end&#8217; \u2013 How Richard Carapaz and EF Education-EasyPost hit the Tour de France jackpot on Alpe d&#8217;Huez"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-2560-80.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\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qocAmsgccJyuTn9aBziFfV-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                                    As it happened: Late crash drama and GC podium remains unchanged on stage 20 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 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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Nerve-wracking right to the end&#8217; \u2013 How Richard Carapaz and EF Education-EasyPost hit the Tour de France jackpot on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\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=\"2026-07-26T11:21:05Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n26 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Ecuadorian captures two stage wins in three days, the King of the Mountains title in standout Alpine performance, and super-combativity prize<\/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\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-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=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-29b41658-88e2-11f1-ac16-dd1efd98571a\">&#8220;To predict it would have been\u2026imaginative.&#8221; Standing next to a team car on an anonymous side road a few hundred metres away from the finish line at Alpe d&#8217;Huez with the noise of fans cheering stage winner Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and all the other top riders in the distant background, the Ecuadorian&#8217;s head DS, Charly Wegelius, is taking his time to find the right word to sum up Carapaz&#8217;s victory. But that&#8217;s perhaps only logical.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s true that any stage win, be it as widely expected as a Tadej Poga\u010dar mountain-top solo or a Remco Evenepoel time trial, quite apart from the performance itself, there&#8217;s always a lengthy mix of reasons to take into account.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-29b41658-88e2-11f1-ac16-dd1efd98571a-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This time they include some serious teamwork on the Galibier, Carapaz moving away with Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) on the Sarenne only to be dropped near the summit, Kuss then crashing twice and indirectly providing the chance for Carapaz to move to the front, then Carapaz just holding on up the Alpe d&#8217;Huez against a counter-attacking Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). And even that wouldn&#8217;t tell half the story, and as Wegelius suggests, the whole plotline feels almost too implausible to be forecast in any team meeting in the morning.<\/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\">Yet happen it did, but the foundations were laid thanks to the initiative of the riders themselves, Wegelius says, when the team&#8217;s initial goal of &#8216;<em>just<\/em>&#8216; going for the mountains classification then morphed into a different plan.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It feels imaginative, because of the energy expenditure over the first half of the stage when we were focusing until the top of the Tel\u00e9graphe entirely on the KOM competition,&#8221; Wegelius, directing the riders from the team car behind, tells <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/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\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-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;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<\/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\/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-[#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\">&#8220;So you know, for me even saying it on the radio after the Tel\u00e9graphe, yeah, let&#8217;s just reset now and try and win the stage, it felt a little bit silly.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But they were fully into it, both of them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-NFj4pfpSTcCZhiu3nW7DCk\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-NFj4pfpSTcCZhiu3nW7DCk 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\">&#8216;Both of them&#8217; meaning Carapaz&#8217;s teammate Ben Healy, who began working furiously hard on the front of the lead breakaway to give Carapaz as much of a margin as possible by the summit, and the Ecuadorian himself, whose long turns then allowed the move to become squeezed down to himself, Kuss, Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek).<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But Wegelius also points to how Healy&#8217;s groundwork &#8220;flipped the race on its head, because if he hadn&#8217;t done that, we wouldn&#8217;t have had the gap, right? You could see how close they came.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-17e3ac5c-88e4-11f1-b240-d968f2c8036c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Healy leads the breakaway on stage 20 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ed0da382-88e0-11f1-a5eb-bb48d236f171\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The touch-and-go moments were far from over then, as a chase by Poga\u010dar, concerned about the presence of Ayuso as a distant threat to Isaac del Toro in the white jersey, got underway in the main group behind.<\/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\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-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;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/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\/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-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\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 of the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">No one needed reminding in the EF team car that the gap of 3:30 at the foot of the Sarenne was almost exactly the same as when Poga\u010dar let rip on Alpe d&#8217;Huez the day before, bearing down a break containing both Carapaz and Kuss before the finish.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But even after Ayuso lost ground, Decathlon CMA CGM were determined to try and drop Del Toro and put their leader Paul Seixas on the podium, and their contribution to the chase further shredded the leaders&#8217; advantage. It was only when Seixas began to flag that the remnants of the break, now down to just Kuss and Carapaz, were in with a chance.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But in yet another major plot twist, Carapaz had been left behind by the American by the summit of the Sarenne, only for Kuss to fall heavily twice on the descent, his first fall reducing the distance between himself and the EF leader, the second allowing Carapaz to move ahead by a scant 15 seconds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I have a lot of sympathy for Sepp; he did a brilliant race, he did his race, and that&#8217;s just how cruel this sport is,&#8221; Wegelius said, before denying that it detracted from Carapaz&#8217;s victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;No, because Richard did the same corner, and he didn&#8217;t crash. I feel really bad for Sepp; it&#8217;s unfortunate, but it&#8217;s a part of racing. It&#8217;s a shame, but that&#8217;s the way the races go.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moving into the final segment of the stage and the four kilometre unclassified ascent up Alpe d&#8217;Huez, Carapaz&#8217;s last challenge was an immense one, given he&#8217;d expended a colossal amount of energy, and both Kuss and Evenepoel were at far less than 30 seconds by this point.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar might have been more interested in helping Del Toro to go for a stage, but the overall runner-up was still very much on the hunt for a victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was extremely tense, because I didn&#8217;t have any idea of how Sepp was after the crash. He&#8217;d been riding super fast. He got on his bike really quickly, and he was moving, so that wasn&#8217;t a given,&#8221; Wegelius said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And then obviously you had Evenepoel coming pretty fast behind, so it was a nerve-wracking situation, right up to the end.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Wegelius&#8217; role in the final ascent was limited to providing the time gaps, with just 26 seconds on Evenepoel by the line \u2013 the Belgian argued later that with a further two kilometres, he&#8217;d have caught Carapaz. But that information was really all that Carapaz needed by that point.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In general, I&#8217;d say the riders are so committed they don&#8217;t need me to tell them to try harder,&#8221; Wegelius points out. &#8220;So I was just giving him the time gaps as quickly as I could and as accurately as I could. Give him what he needs to do to be himself.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-17e3acfc-88e4-11f1-8752-d5969537d8a7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Carapaz alongside his EF teammates <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-29b416e4-88e2-11f1-95ca-99027c19d8aa\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Last year EF already had a hugely impressive Tour, thanks to Healy taking a long-distance stage win in the first week, then leading the race for two days with the Irishman and in 2024 Carapaz also took the mountains classification as well as a tough third-week stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But whether 2026 will finally be rated as more or less of a triumph for the American squad compared to the two previous years, as Wegelius points out, the foundations for those successes are laid by the entire team, not just the rider who raises his arms in triumph at the end.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It isn&#8217;t just about a series of circumstances or split decisions on the road then; in reality, the often-unseen groundwork is what permits the whole scenario like Carapaz&#8217;s victory to come about.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That team effort is really what you need for this to happen,&#8221; Wegelius insists, &#8220;because most of the successes we have, you can look back on it and see a lot of involvement with the team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;You know, the first stage that Richie won in this year&#8217;s race, [teammate Georg] Steinhauser rode on the flat before the first climb; he wasn&#8217;t feeling great, and he was literally convinced they were his last kilometres in the race. But he just did it. And that is the kind of thing you need behind the scenes, you know, for victories like this on Alpe d&#8217;Huez to happen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ed0da49a-88e0-11f1-806f-e1190f0fc9c3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><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><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-NFj4pfpSTcCZhiu3nW7DCk\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-NFj4pfpSTcCZhiu3nW7DCk 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\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We 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<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I couldn&#8217;t stop thinking about this stage&#8217; &#8211; non-conformist Richard Carapaz makes the most of his last clear opportunity to seize Tour de France stage victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/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\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on L&#8217;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\/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\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 of the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\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 Racing<\/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\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-320-80.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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s winning time sees 2026 Tour de France set new record for fastest-ever edition<\/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\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-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\">GC times to be taken before Montmartre climbs on Tour de France final stage for second year in a row due to safety concerns<\/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\/9bGRUoN6727FaNLAfS6YAS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9bGRUoN6727FaNLAfS6YAS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9bGRUoN6727FaNLAfS6YAS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9bGRUoN6727FaNLAfS6YAS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9bGRUoN6727FaNLAfS6YAS-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 equals record with fifth yellow jersey as Mathieu van der Poel wins thrilling stage 21<\/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\/pAUQSJZSKFHEcqQZEVkohF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAUQSJZSKFHEcqQZEVkohF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAUQSJZSKFHEcqQZEVkohF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAUQSJZSKFHEcqQZEVkohF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAUQSJZSKFHEcqQZEVkohF-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\">Thomas Silva wins Castilla y Le\u00f3n for back-to-back success in northern Spain on weekend<\/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\/3Lx6JgCbNaveJgUmcDrvXV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lx6JgCbNaveJgUmcDrvXV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lx6JgCbNaveJgUmcDrvXV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lx6JgCbNaveJgUmcDrvXV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lx6JgCbNaveJgUmcDrvXV-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de Pologne Women: Lorena Wiebes charges to stage 3 victory in three-day sweep for GC title<\/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\/VWsMP99xPM5JmmiHUfeT9J-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VWsMP99xPM5JmmiHUfeT9J-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VWsMP99xPM5JmmiHUfeT9J-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VWsMP99xPM5JmmiHUfeT9J-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VWsMP99xPM5JmmiHUfeT9J-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 super combativity award goes to Richard Carapaz after lighting up final week with attacks, EF Education-EasyPost make it three in a row<\/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\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-320-80.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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s winning time sees 2026 Tour de France set new record for fastest-ever edition<\/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\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-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;A year I was thinking about this&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel moves from pneumonia-spoiled run to Tour de France Paris stage dream<\/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\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-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;ve shown I deserve to dream&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel says second place in Tour de France confirms belief as he pursues future Grand Tour victories<\/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\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Without them I wouldn&#8217;t be standing here five times&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar pays tribute to family and friends in Tour de France winner&#8217;s speech<\/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\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-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\">GC times to be taken before Montmartre climbs on Tour de France final stage for second year in a row due to safety concerns<\/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\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-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;Tadej Poga\u010dar can win all three Grand Tours in the same year&#8217; &#8211; Eddy Merckx predicts Tour de France champion could be first ever to take all three top stage racing titles<\/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\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-320-80.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>Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s winning time sees 2026 Tour de France set new record for fastest-ever edition<\/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;Two years ago I already said he&#8217;s going to surpass Eddy Merckx&#8217; &#8211; Former Tour de France winner Cadel Evans pays tribute to Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/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>&#8216;A year I was thinking about this&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel moves from pneumonia-spoiled run to Tour de France Paris stage dream<\/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>\u2018I\u2019m not thinking about any history, clubbing, or whatever&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France winner Tadej Poga\u010dar has his name in lights but keeps his feet on the ground<\/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>&#8216;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel says second place in Tour de France confirms belief as he pursues future Grand Tour victories<\/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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Nerve-wracking right to the end&#8217; \u2013 How Richard Carapaz and EF Education-EasyPost hit the Tour de France jackpot on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\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=\"2026-07-26T11:21:05Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n26 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Ecuadorian captures two stage wins in three days, the King of the Mountains title in standout Alpine performance, and super-combativity prize<\/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\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-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=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-29b41658-88e2-11f1-ac16-dd1efd98571a\">&#8220;To predict it would have been\u2026imaginative.&#8221; Standing next to a team car on an anonymous side road a few hundred metres away from the finish line at Alpe d&#8217;Huez with the noise of fans cheering stage winner Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and all the other top riders in the distant background, the Ecuadorian&#8217;s head DS, Charly Wegelius, is taking his time to find the right word to sum up Carapaz&#8217;s victory. But that&#8217;s perhaps only logical.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s true that any stage win, be it as widely expected as a Tadej Poga\u010dar mountain-top solo or a Remco Evenepoel time trial, quite apart from the performance itself, there&#8217;s always a lengthy mix of reasons to take into account.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-29b41658-88e2-11f1-ac16-dd1efd98571a-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This time they include some serious teamwork on the Galibier, Carapaz moving away with Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) on the Sarenne only to be dropped near the summit, Kuss then crashing twice and indirectly providing the chance for Carapaz to move to the front, then Carapaz just holding on up the Alpe d&#8217;Huez against a counter-attacking Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). And even that wouldn&#8217;t tell half the story, and as Wegelius suggests, the whole plotline feels almost too implausible to be forecast in any team meeting in the morning.<\/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\">Yet happen it did, but the foundations were laid thanks to the initiative of the riders themselves, Wegelius says, when the team&#8217;s initial goal of &#8216;<em>just<\/em>&#8216; going for the mountains classification then morphed into a different plan.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It feels imaginative, because of the energy expenditure over the first half of the stage when we were focusing until the top of the Tel\u00e9graphe entirely on the KOM competition,&#8221; Wegelius, directing the riders from the team car behind, tells <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/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\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-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;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<\/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\/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-[#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\">&#8220;So you know, for me even saying it on the radio after the Tel\u00e9graphe, yeah, let&#8217;s just reset now and try and win the stage, it felt a little bit silly.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But they were fully into it, both of them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-NFj4pfpSTcCZhiu3nW7DCk\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-NFj4pfpSTcCZhiu3nW7DCk 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\">&#8216;Both of them&#8217; meaning Carapaz&#8217;s teammate Ben Healy, who began working furiously hard on the front of the lead breakaway to give Carapaz as much of a margin as possible by the summit, and the Ecuadorian himself, whose long turns then allowed the move to become squeezed down to himself, Kuss, Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek).<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But Wegelius also points to how Healy&#8217;s groundwork &#8220;flipped the race on its head, because if he hadn&#8217;t done that, we wouldn&#8217;t have had the gap, right? You could see how close they came.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-17e3ac5c-88e4-11f1-b240-d968f2c8036c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Healy leads the breakaway on stage 20 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ed0da382-88e0-11f1-a5eb-bb48d236f171\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The touch-and-go moments were far from over then, as a chase by Poga\u010dar, concerned about the presence of Ayuso as a distant threat to Isaac del Toro in the white jersey, got underway in the main group behind.<\/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\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-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;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/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\/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-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\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 of the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">No one needed reminding in the EF team car that the gap of 3:30 at the foot of the Sarenne was almost exactly the same as when Poga\u010dar let rip on Alpe d&#8217;Huez the day before, bearing down a break containing both Carapaz and Kuss before the finish.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But even after Ayuso lost ground, Decathlon CMA CGM were determined to try and drop Del Toro and put their leader Paul Seixas on the podium, and their contribution to the chase further shredded the leaders&#8217; advantage. It was only when Seixas began to flag that the remnants of the break, now down to just Kuss and Carapaz, were in with a chance.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But in yet another major plot twist, Carapaz had been left behind by the American by the summit of the Sarenne, only for Kuss to fall heavily twice on the descent, his first fall reducing the distance between himself and the EF leader, the second allowing Carapaz to move ahead by a scant 15 seconds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I have a lot of sympathy for Sepp; he did a brilliant race, he did his race, and that&#8217;s just how cruel this sport is,&#8221; Wegelius said, before denying that it detracted from Carapaz&#8217;s victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;No, because Richard did the same corner, and he didn&#8217;t crash. I feel really bad for Sepp; it&#8217;s unfortunate, but it&#8217;s a part of racing. It&#8217;s a shame, but that&#8217;s the way the races go.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moving into the final segment of the stage and the four kilometre unclassified ascent up Alpe d&#8217;Huez, Carapaz&#8217;s last challenge was an immense one, given he&#8217;d expended a colossal amount of energy, and both Kuss and Evenepoel were at far less than 30 seconds by this point.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar might have been more interested in helping Del Toro to go for a stage, but the overall runner-up was still very much on the hunt for a victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was extremely tense, because I didn&#8217;t have any idea of how Sepp was after the crash. He&#8217;d been riding super fast. He got on his bike really quickly, and he was moving, so that wasn&#8217;t a given,&#8221; Wegelius said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And then obviously you had Evenepoel coming pretty fast behind, so it was a nerve-wracking situation, right up to the end.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Wegelius&#8217; role in the final ascent was limited to providing the time gaps, with just 26 seconds on Evenepoel by the line \u2013 the Belgian argued later that with a further two kilometres, he&#8217;d have caught Carapaz. But that information was really all that Carapaz needed by that point.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In general, I&#8217;d say the riders are so committed they don&#8217;t need me to tell them to try harder,&#8221; Wegelius points out. &#8220;So I was just giving him the time gaps as quickly as I could and as accurately as I could. Give him what he needs to do to be himself.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-17e3acfc-88e4-11f1-8752-d5969537d8a7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Carapaz alongside his EF teammates <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-29b416e4-88e2-11f1-95ca-99027c19d8aa\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Last year EF already had a hugely impressive Tour, thanks to Healy taking a long-distance stage win in the first week, then leading the race for two days with the Irishman and in 2024 Carapaz also took the mountains classification as well as a tough third-week stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But whether 2026 will finally be rated as more or less of a triumph for the American squad compared to the two previous years, as Wegelius points out, the foundations for those successes are laid by the entire team, not just the rider who raises his arms in triumph at the end.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It isn&#8217;t just about a series of circumstances or split decisions on the road then; in reality, the often-unseen groundwork is what permits the whole scenario like Carapaz&#8217;s victory to come about.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That team effort is really what you need for this to happen,&#8221; Wegelius insists, &#8220;because most of the successes we have, you can look back on it and see a lot of involvement with the team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;You know, the first stage that Richie won in this year&#8217;s race, [teammate Georg] Steinhauser rode on the flat before the first climb; he wasn&#8217;t feeling great, and he was literally convinced they were his last kilometres in the race. But he just did it. And that is the kind of thing you need behind the scenes, you know, for victories like this on Alpe d&#8217;Huez to happen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ed0da49a-88e0-11f1-806f-e1190f0fc9c3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><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><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-NFj4pfpSTcCZhiu3nW7DCk\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-NFj4pfpSTcCZhiu3nW7DCk 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\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We 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<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I couldn&#8217;t stop thinking about this stage&#8217; &#8211; non-conformist Richard Carapaz makes the most of his last clear opportunity to seize Tour de France stage victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/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\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on L&#8217;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\/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\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 of the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\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 Racing<\/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\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-320-80.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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s winning time sees 2026 Tour de France set new record for fastest-ever edition<\/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\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-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\">GC times to be taken before Montmartre climbs on Tour de France final stage for second year in a row due to safety concerns<\/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\/9bGRUoN6727FaNLAfS6YAS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9bGRUoN6727FaNLAfS6YAS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9bGRUoN6727FaNLAfS6YAS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9bGRUoN6727FaNLAfS6YAS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9bGRUoN6727FaNLAfS6YAS-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 equals record with fifth yellow jersey as Mathieu van der Poel wins thrilling stage 21<\/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\/pAUQSJZSKFHEcqQZEVkohF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAUQSJZSKFHEcqQZEVkohF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAUQSJZSKFHEcqQZEVkohF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAUQSJZSKFHEcqQZEVkohF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pAUQSJZSKFHEcqQZEVkohF-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\">Thomas Silva wins Castilla y Le\u00f3n for back-to-back success in northern Spain on weekend<\/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\/3Lx6JgCbNaveJgUmcDrvXV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lx6JgCbNaveJgUmcDrvXV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lx6JgCbNaveJgUmcDrvXV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lx6JgCbNaveJgUmcDrvXV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lx6JgCbNaveJgUmcDrvXV-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de Pologne Women: Lorena Wiebes charges to stage 3 victory in three-day sweep for GC title<\/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\/VWsMP99xPM5JmmiHUfeT9J-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VWsMP99xPM5JmmiHUfeT9J-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VWsMP99xPM5JmmiHUfeT9J-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VWsMP99xPM5JmmiHUfeT9J-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VWsMP99xPM5JmmiHUfeT9J-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 super combativity award goes to Richard Carapaz after lighting up final week with attacks, EF Education-EasyPost make it three in a row<\/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\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-320-80.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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s winning time sees 2026 Tour de France set new record for fastest-ever edition<\/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\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-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;A year I was thinking about this&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel moves from pneumonia-spoiled run to Tour de France Paris stage dream<\/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\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-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;ve shown I deserve to dream&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel says second place in Tour de France confirms belief as he pursues future Grand Tour victories<\/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\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Without them I wouldn&#8217;t be standing here five times&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar pays tribute to family and friends in Tour de France winner&#8217;s speech<\/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\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-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\">GC times to be taken before Montmartre climbs on Tour de France final stage for second year in a row due to safety concerns<\/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\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-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;Tadej Poga\u010dar can win all three Grand Tours in the same year&#8217; &#8211; Eddy Merckx predicts Tour de France champion could be first ever to take all three top stage racing titles<\/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\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-320-80.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>Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s winning time sees 2026 Tour de France set new record for fastest-ever edition<\/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;Two years ago I already said he&#8217;s going to surpass Eddy Merckx&#8217; &#8211; Former Tour de France winner Cadel Evans pays tribute to Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/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>&#8216;A year I was thinking about this&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel moves from pneumonia-spoiled run to Tour de France Paris stage dream<\/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>\u2018I\u2019m not thinking about any history, clubbing, or whatever&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France winner Tadej Poga\u010dar has his name in lights but keeps his feet on the ground<\/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>&#8216;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel says second place in Tour de France confirms belief as he pursues future Grand Tour victories<\/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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Nerve-wracking right to the end&#8217; \u2013 How Richard Carapaz and EF Education-EasyPost hit the Tour de France jackpot on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\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=\"2026-07-26T11:21:05Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n26 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Ecuadorian captures two stage wins in three days, the King of the Mountains title in standout Alpine performance, and super-combativity prize<\/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 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Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-29b41658-88e2-11f1-ac16-dd1efd98571a\">&#8220;To predict it would have been\u2026imaginative.&#8221; Standing next to a team car on an anonymous side road a few hundred metres away from the finish line at Alpe d&#8217;Huez with the noise of fans cheering stage winner Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) and all the other top riders in the distant background, the Ecuadorian&#8217;s head DS, Charly Wegelius, is taking his time to find the right word to sum up Carapaz&#8217;s victory. But that&#8217;s perhaps only logical.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s true that any stage win, be it as widely expected as a Tadej Poga\u010dar mountain-top solo or a Remco Evenepoel time trial, quite apart from the performance itself, there&#8217;s always a lengthy mix of reasons to take into account.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-29b41658-88e2-11f1-ac16-dd1efd98571a-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This time they include some serious teamwork on the Galibier, Carapaz moving away with Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) on the Sarenne only to be dropped near the summit, Kuss then crashing twice and indirectly providing the chance for Carapaz to move to the front, then Carapaz just holding on up the Alpe d&#8217;Huez against a counter-attacking Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). And even that wouldn&#8217;t tell half the story, and as Wegelius suggests, the whole plotline feels almost too implausible to be forecast in any team meeting in the morning.<\/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\">Yet happen it did, but the foundations were laid thanks to the initiative of the riders themselves, Wegelius says, when the team&#8217;s initial goal of &#8216;<em>just<\/em>&#8216; going for the mountains classification then morphed into a different plan.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It feels imaginative, because of the energy expenditure over the first half of the stage when we were focusing until the top of the Tel\u00e9graphe entirely on the KOM competition,&#8221; Wegelius, directing the riders from the team car behind, tells <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/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\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-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;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<\/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\/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-[#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\">&#8220;So you know, for me even saying it on the radio after the Tel\u00e9graphe, yeah, let&#8217;s just reset now and try and win the stage, it felt a little bit silly.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But they were fully into it, both of them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-NFj4pfpSTcCZhiu3nW7DCk\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-NFj4pfpSTcCZhiu3nW7DCk 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\">&#8216;Both of them&#8217; meaning Carapaz&#8217;s teammate Ben Healy, who began working furiously hard on the front of the lead breakaway to give Carapaz as much of a margin as possible by the summit, and the Ecuadorian himself, whose long turns then allowed the move to become squeezed down to himself, Kuss, Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek).<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But Wegelius also points to how Healy&#8217;s groundwork &#8220;flipped the race on its head, because if he hadn&#8217;t done that, we wouldn&#8217;t have had the gap, right? You could see how close they came.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-17e3ac5c-88e4-11f1-b240-d968f2c8036c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YSmVrUjQqTEZT39VBFFHKU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Healy leads the breakaway on stage 20 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ed0da382-88e0-11f1-a5eb-bb48d236f171\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The touch-and-go moments were far from over then, as a chase by Poga\u010dar, concerned about the presence of Ayuso as a distant threat to Isaac del Toro in the white jersey, got underway in the main group behind.<\/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\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-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;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/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\/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-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\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 of the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">No one needed reminding in the EF team car that the gap of 3:30 at the foot of the Sarenne was almost exactly the same as when Poga\u010dar let rip on Alpe d&#8217;Huez the day before, bearing down a break containing both Carapaz and Kuss before the finish.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But even after Ayuso lost ground, Decathlon CMA CGM were determined to try and drop Del Toro and put their leader Paul Seixas on the podium, and their contribution to the chase further shredded the leaders&#8217; advantage. It was only when Seixas began to flag that the remnants of the break, now down to just Kuss and Carapaz, were in with a chance.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But in yet another major plot twist, Carapaz had been left behind by the American by the summit of the Sarenne, only for Kuss to fall heavily twice on the descent, his first fall reducing the distance between himself and the EF leader, the second allowing Carapaz to move ahead by a scant 15 seconds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I have a lot of sympathy for Sepp; he did a brilliant race, he did his race, and that&#8217;s just how cruel this sport is,&#8221; Wegelius said, before denying that it detracted from Carapaz&#8217;s victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;No, because Richard did the same corner, and he didn&#8217;t crash. I feel really bad for Sepp; it&#8217;s unfortunate, but it&#8217;s a part of racing. It&#8217;s a shame, but that&#8217;s the way the races go.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Moving into the final segment of the stage and the four kilometre unclassified ascent up Alpe d&#8217;Huez, Carapaz&#8217;s last challenge was an immense one, given he&#8217;d expended a colossal amount of energy, and both Kuss and Evenepoel were at far less than 30 seconds by this point.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poga\u010dar might have been more interested in helping Del Toro to go for a stage, but the overall runner-up was still very much on the hunt for a victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was extremely tense, because I didn&#8217;t have any idea of how Sepp was after the crash. He&#8217;d been riding super fast. He got on his bike really quickly, and he was moving, so that wasn&#8217;t a given,&#8221; Wegelius said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And then obviously you had Evenepoel coming pretty fast behind, so it was a nerve-wracking situation, right up to the end.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Wegelius&#8217; role in the final ascent was limited to providing the time gaps, with just 26 seconds on Evenepoel by the line \u2013 the Belgian argued later that with a further two kilometres, he&#8217;d have caught Carapaz. But that information was really all that Carapaz needed by that point.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In general, I&#8217;d say the riders are so committed they don&#8217;t need me to tell them to try harder,&#8221; Wegelius points out. &#8220;So I was just giving him the time gaps as quickly as I could and as accurately as I could. Give him what he needs to do to be himself.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-17e3acfc-88e4-11f1-8752-d5969537d8a7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A2Mjb3J54nbYxFhYefhwWY-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Carapaz alongside his EF teammates <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-29b416e4-88e2-11f1-95ca-99027c19d8aa\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Last year EF already had a hugely impressive Tour, thanks to Healy taking a long-distance stage win in the first week, then leading the race for two days with the Irishman and in 2024 Carapaz also took the mountains classification as well as a tough third-week stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But whether 2026 will finally be rated as more or less of a triumph for the American squad compared to the two previous years, as Wegelius points out, the foundations for those successes are laid by the entire team, not just the rider who raises his arms in triumph at the end.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It isn&#8217;t just about a series of circumstances or split decisions on the road then; in reality, the often-unseen groundwork is what permits the whole scenario like Carapaz&#8217;s victory to come about.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That team effort is really what you need for this to happen,&#8221; Wegelius insists, &#8220;because most of the successes we have, you can look back on it and see a lot of involvement with the team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;You know, the first stage that Richie won in this year&#8217;s race, [teammate Georg] Steinhauser rode on the flat before the first climb; he wasn&#8217;t feeling great, and he was literally convinced they were his last kilometres in the race. But he just did it. And that is the kind of thing you need behind the scenes, you know, for victories like this on Alpe d&#8217;Huez to happen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ed0da49a-88e0-11f1-806f-e1190f0fc9c3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><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><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/nerve-wracking-right-to-the-end-how-richard-carapaz-and-ef-education-easypost-hit-the-tour-de-france-jackpot-on-alpe-dhuez\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6vdna66p5oHAfXVVpGRvBP-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: Late crash drama and GC podium remains unchanged on stage 20 of the Tour de France 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-2063404","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\/2063404","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=2063404"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2063404\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2063404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2063404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2063404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}