Richard Carapaz enters top 10 of Tour de France, eyes mountains classification win

Ecuadorian cyclist Richard Carapaz has achieved a significant milestone in his career, winning stage 18 of the Tour de France 2026. This victory marks his first stage win in the current edition of the prestigious race and his ninth stage win across all three Grand Tours of cycling. The EF Education-EasyPost rider crossed the finish line with a time of 4:26:21 on one of the race's most demanding days.

Carapaz's exceptional performance has propelled him up the general classification standings. He moved from 12th to 10th place, solidifying his position among the top contenders. He now holds a lead of over three minutes on his closest rival in the general classification, Yannis Voisard. The gap between Carapaz and the overall leader, Tadej Pogačar, stands at 21 minutes, suggesting the battle for the general classification title is largely settled.

Beyond his general classification ambitions, Carapaz is also fiercely contesting the mountains classification, aiming to win the coveted polka dot jersey. He previously won this jersey in the 2024 Tour de France. With only three stages remaining, the competition for the mountains classification is extremely close. Tadej Pogačar leads with 70 points, followed by Valentin Paret-Peintre with 69 points, and Carapaz with 64 points.

Stage 18, a challenging route of 185 kilometers with 3,820 meters of accumulated elevation gain, was designed for climbers. It featured a series of ascents, including the Côte d‘Engins and the Côte de Monteynard, before culminating in the final climb to Orcières-Merlette, where Carapaz launched his decisive attack. The upcoming stages, particularly stage 19 and stage 20, which include multiple categorized climbs in the Alps, will be crucial in determining the winner of the mountains classification.

Carapaz appears to be in excellent form, and his recent stage victory has boosted his confidence. His performance in the high mountain stages over the weekend will likely dictate whether he can secure his second career polka dot jersey in the Tour de France.