Richard Carapaz secured victory on stage 18 of the 2026 Tour de France with a decisive solo move. The Ecuadorian rider attacked on the final climb to Orcieres-Merlette. His win highlights shifting dynamics in the peloton.
Richard Carapaz delivered a standout performance in the 2026 Tour de France by winning stage 18 with a powerful solo attack on the ascent to Orcieres-Merlette. The Ecuadorian, aged 33, broke away from the leading group just four kilometers from the summit, holding off his rivals to secure a memorable victory. This result adds to Carapaz’s already impressive record, which includes a Giro d’Italia title, multiple Grand Tour podiums, and an Olympic gold medal.
The stage unfolded against the backdrop of mounting uncertainty within the UAE Team Emirates squad. Early in the day, two of Tadej Pogacar’s key teammates, Brandon McNulty and Tim Wellens, showed signs of illness at the back of the peloton. McNulty ultimately abandoned the race, following Adam Yates’s significant time loss due to illness the previous day. These developments have raised questions about the stability of the team supporting the race leader, though so far, Pogacar’s position remains unchallenged.
Unlike previous stages, the main contenders allowed a large breakaway to form, with around thirty riders splitting into two groups. Among the frontrunners were Richard Carapaz, Egan Bernal, Mads Pedersen, Valentin Paret-Peintre, and Spanish riders Pablo Castillo and Raúl García Pierna. The decisive selection came on the penultimate climb, where six riders emerged as the main contenders for the stage win: Carapaz, Paret-Peintre, Matteo Jorgenson, Mauro Schmid, Tobias Johannessen, and García Pierna. Although García Pierna was briefly dropped, he managed to rejoin the group before ultimately finishing sixth.
Carapaz launched his first attack with four kilometers to go, drawing out Paret-Peintre, Schmid, and Jorgenson. However, he accelerated again at 3.5 kilometers, distancing his rivals for good. Schmid and Jorgenson finished 45 seconds behind, while Paret-Peintre crossed the line fourth, narrowly missing out on the polka dot jersey by a single point. The main general classification contenders, including Pogacar, climbed Orcieres-Merlette without any significant moves, saving their efforts for the upcoming double stage at Alpe d’Huez.
Orcieres-Merlette holds a special place in Tour de France history, notably as the site of Luis Ocaña’s legendary solo victory over Eddy Merckx in 1971. While this year’s stage was not expected to be decisive for the overall standings, it provided a dramatic platform for Carapaz’s display of determination and tactical acumen. The relaxed approach from the peloton allowed the breakaway to contest the win, a contrast to the tighter control seen in earlier stages.
This year’s Tour has already seen significant changes, including the introduction of a new team time trial format in Barcelona, which set the tone for a dynamic race. For more on how the 2026 edition began and the impact of the opening stage, see the coverage of the Barcelona team time trial that launched the Tour.
As the race heads toward its critical mountain stages, attention will remain on both the health of the UAE Team Emirates squad and the ambitions of riders like Carapaz, who continue to shape the narrative of this year’s Tour. The outcome of the next stages, particularly at Alpe d’Huez, may yet bring further surprises in a race already marked by unpredictability and resilience.
