Tour de France: Carapaz's Alpine triumph, Kuss's crash, and Evenepoel's rise

Richard Carapaz emerged as the titan of the Alps, securing a spectacular victory on the queen stage of the 2026 Tour de France. The Ecuadorian rider finished the Tour with a flourish, following his win on Stage 18 with a near-victory on Stage 19 and culminating in his triumph on Saturday. He attacked from the day's breakaway, executing a masterful climb to claim the stage win and securing the Polka Dot jersey for the mountains classification.

Sepp Kuss, after a strong showing on the previous day, was again in contention for the stage win. The American rider attacked with three kilometers remaining on the Col de Sarenne, but two successive crashes in the finale dashed his hopes. Despite his misfortune, Kuss's determination and performance were noted, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the race.

Remco Evenepoel has shown a remarkable transformation in his climbing abilities. Having shed significant weight before the Tour, the Belgian rider impressed in the high mountains, suggesting he has reached a new level. He managed to distance Tadej Pogacar on the climb, finishing second on the stage and solidifying his position as the clear runner-up in Paris. His performance raises the prospect of him becoming Pogacar's main rival, especially with Jonas Vingegaard showing signs of aging.

Nicolas Prodhomme was lauded as the "perfect teammate," sacrificing his own efforts throughout the three weeks to support his leader, Paul Seixas. Prodhomme remained with the leading group, even responding to Pogacar's acceleration. His consistent support and solid performance throughout the Tour were a significant satisfaction for his Decathlon CMA CGM team.

On the negative side, Tadej Pogacar's demeanor drew criticism. He appeared visibly displeased when Nicolas Prodhomme gained a small advantage early in the climb, exchanging words and a "black look" with the Frenchman. This attempt at intimidation was deemed unnecessary and unwarranted by observers. Paul Seixas, meanwhile, saw his podium dreams fade on the Col de Sarenne, indicating a loss of form in the crucial final stages.

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Le Slovène n’a visiblement pas apprécié que Nicolas Prodhomme prenne quelques mètres d’avance dès l’entame de la montée vers le col de Sarenne. Il l’a fait savoir au Français en lui adressant quelques mots et un regard noir.