Richard Carapaz receives major award at Tour de France

Ecuadorian cyclist Richard Carapaz earned recognition as the most combative rider on Stage 10 of the 2026 Tour de France. The EF Education-EasyPost rider received the award on the podium after an aggressive performance during the 166.6-kilometer stage from Aurillac to Le Lioran.

Carapaz animated the race with multiple attacks, especially during mountain climbs. His most significant offensive came on the ascent of Puy Mary, where he briefly led the peloton by 20 seconds. However, he was eventually caught by Tadej Pogacar, who went on to win the stage and extend his overall lead.

Despite not winning the stage, Carapaz's effort was acknowledged by the race organizers. The "most combative rider" award celebrates the cyclist who put on the most exciting display of racing. His team, EF Education-EasyPost, celebrated his performance, posting, "'Richie' went all out today. What a ride!"

This award marks another notable achievement for Carapaz in cycling's premier event. In the 2024 Tour, he won the mountains classification and Stage 17, and he has previously worn the yellow jersey as the overall leader. He also finished third overall in the 2021 Tour de France, sharing the podium with current contenders Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar.

Carapaz's strong showing also impacted his standings in the mountains classification, where he moved to third place with 19 points. He also climbed to 18th in the general classification, trailing the leader by 17 minutes and 43 seconds.