Carapaz Wins Tour de France King Stage on Alpe d'Huez After Kuss Crashes

Ecuadorian rider Richard Carapaz claimed victory on the 20th stage of the Tour de France, the race's designated 'king stage,' following a dramatic finish on Alpe d'Huez. Carapaz overtook American rider Sepp Kuss in the final kilometers after Kuss suffered two crashes, one of which sent him skidding perilously close to a mountainside precipice.

Kuss had appeared strong and was leading the stage, but his misfortune allowed Carapaz to surge ahead and secure his win. Remco Evenepoel finished second, with Kuss recovering to take third place. The stage was characterized by its immense difficulty, featuring 5,450 meters of climbing over several iconic mountain passes, including Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier, and the final ascent to Alpe d'Huez.

Meanwhile, Danish rider Mads Pedersen has mathematically secured the green jersey for the points classification. He earned enough points during an intermediate sprint to ensure he cannot be overtaken in the final stage. Pedersen now only needs to complete the ceremonial ride into Paris to claim the title.

The stage saw major contenders like Tadej Pogacar setting a strong pace on the climbs, reducing the gap to the breakaway group. Pogacar's efforts put pressure on other riders, but ultimately, the drama unfolded at the front of the race with Kuss's crashes proving decisive.