Richard Carapaz claimed the queen stage at Alpe d’Huez on the penultimate day of the Tour de France 2026, completing a grueling 170.9-kilometer route with more than 5,400 meters of climbing. The Ecuadorian rider prevailed after a relentless battle through the Alps. Cyclingnews lists Stage 20 as a 170.9-kilometer route from Le Bourg d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez, matching the stated distance and finish.
The day’s drama began when Sepp Kuss attacked with 23.6 kilometers remaining, breaking away on the Col de Sarenne and distancing Carapaz and Jai Hindley. Kuss crested the final climb alone and looked poised for a career-defining win. Carapaz fought back in the closing kilometers and crossed the finish line first, arms raised in triumph.
Carapaz’s stage victory left the overall race lead unchanged. Tadej Pogacar (UAE) continues to lead the general classification, with a comfortable margin over his closest rivals. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull) sits second, 6 minutes and 26 seconds behind, while Isaac del Toro (UAE) is third, 9 minutes and 42 seconds back. The top ten also features Paul Seixas (Decathlon), Lenny Martínez (Bahrain), Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl), Juan Ayuso (Lidl), Richard Carapaz (EF), Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5) and Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies).
The Union Cycliste Internationale’s account of the 2026 Tour also noted the UAE teammates’ early-season collaboration: “on day two, Pogačar opened the door for Del Toro’s maiden stage win in the French Grand Tour.” The result put both riders among the race’s prominent figures before the final Alpine stages.
The final stage will break with tradition. This year, the iconic Champs-Élysées circuit in Paris will include three ascents of the demanding Rue Lepic in Montmartre before the yellow jersey is officially awarded. The change adds a challenge to the ceremonial last day, keeping the race’s conclusion unpredictable until the finish.
Tadej Pogacar’s dominance on mountain stages has recurred throughout this edition of the Tour. His earlier triumphs, including a memorable win on Alpe d’Huez, have been covered in detail, including in this analysis of his fifth stage victory: Pogacar’s continued success on the Tour’s toughest climbs.
The Tour de France remains one of world cycling’s most prestigious events, drawing global attention each July. The Alpe d’Huez stage, often considered the race’s most iconic mountain test, has historically helped shape the final podium. This year’s route, with its punishing elevation and tactical complexity, reinforced the unpredictable nature of the competition. As the peloton heads into the final day in Paris, attention turns to whether Pogacar will secure another overall victory and how the new Montmartre climbs might affect the final standings.
