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๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡จ Ecuador /Sports

Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz seals historic Tour de France

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Ecuadorian cyclist Richard Carapaz achieved historic results at the 2026 Tour de France, winning the King of the Mountains title and two stages.
  • Carapaz also secured the "supercombativo" award and reached 10 career Grand Tour stage wins, becoming the most successful Latino American cyclist in history.
  • Despite finishing 39th in the final stage, his overall performance was celebrated, with Carapaz expressing happiness and gratitude for his achievements.

Ecuadorian cyclist Richard Carapaz has concluded the 2026 Tour de France with a series of historic achievements, cementing his place in cycling history. Carapaz claimed the coveted King of the Mountains jersey, won two stages, and was awarded the "supercombativo" prize for his aggressive riding.

With these victories, Carapaz has now amassed 10 Grand Tour stage wins, surpassing all previous Latino American cyclists to become the most decorated rider from the region. His performance this year included a significant win on the Alpe dโ€™Huez, the queen stage of the race, marking his second King of the Mountains title after his first in 2024.

For me, it was an impressive tour; I came with very clear goals, and I was able to achieve them. I am very happy and very pleased to finish this tour and bring this jersey home. It is the most beautiful thing.

โ€” Richard CarapazExpressing his satisfaction with his performance at the Tour de France.

Carapaz expressed profound satisfaction with his Tour de France campaign. "For me, it was an impressive tour; I came with very clear goals, and I was able to achieve them," he stated. "I am very happy and very pleased to finish this tour and bring this jersey home. It is the most beautiful thing."

When I race, I am a free soul. I love cycling. On it, I show the person I am.

โ€” Richard CarapazDescribing his passion and connection to cycling.

He also highlighted the importance of mental and physical balance in his sport, describing himself as "a free soul" on the bike who loves cycling and uses it to express who he is. Looking ahead, Carapaz plans to rest before considering his future, with the ambition to "stay in cycling for a few more years and give Ecuador more joy."

The final stage of the Tour de France, a 89-kilometer route from Thoiry to the Champs-ร‰lysรฉes in Paris, was won by Mathieu van der Poel. Carapaz finished the stage 39th, over a minute behind the winner, but this did not detract from his overall triumphant performance. The general classification was won by Tadej Pogaฤar for the fifth time.

I want to stay in cycling for a few more years and give Ecuador more joy.

โ€” Richard CarapazStating his future ambitions in the sport.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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