Tadej Pogacar stands on the precipice of achieving a monumental feat in cycling history, poised to claim his fifth Tour de France championship. This impending triumph follows a thrilling penultimate stage that saw Richard Carapaz emerge victorious on the iconic Alpe d'Huez, a stage also marred by Sepp Kuss's unexpected double fall.
Pogacar's Historic Tour de France Near-Victory and Carapaz's Alpe d'Huez Triumph
On Saturday, July 25, 2026, in the majestic French Alps, Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar, aged 27, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, is on the verge of etching his name into the annals of cycling history. Barring any unforeseen incident during Sunday's ceremonial final stage to Paris, he will join an elite group of five-time Tour de France champions, including legends like Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain.
The dramatic Stage 20, often referred to as the 'queen' stage, spanned 170.9 kilometers and involved an grueling 5,450 meters of climbing across three formidable hors category ascents, culminating in a finish at the renowned Alpe d'Huez ski resort. This marked the second time in two days the peloton tackled this legendary climb. Pogacar demonstrated his strategic prowess by finishing fourth, skillfully assisting his Mexican teammate, Isaac del Toro, in solidifying his provisional third-place overall and securing the white jersey for the young rider classification. Pogacar's commanding lead of six minutes and 26 seconds over Belgium's Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) underscores his dominance throughout the race. Evenepoel, after a late surge, finished the stage 26 seconds behind Carapaz.
The stage was defined by unexpected turns, most notably American Sepp Kuss of Visma-Lease a Bike, aged 31, who was part of an early breakaway. Kuss, a former Vuelta a España champion, attacked solo with approximately 25 kilometers remaining and appeared destined for victory. However, his daring attempt ended in disaster with two dramatic crashes. The first occurred on a right-hand corner, where his rear wheel slid on dust, sending him into safety netting, preventing a dangerous fall. Soon after, he crashed again exiting a tunnel near Alpe d'Huez town. These incidents allowed the tenacious Richard Carapaz, representing EF Education-Easypost, to sweep past and claim the stage victory. This win marked Carapaz's second stage victory in three days and secured him the coveted King of the Mountains polka dot jersey.
Amidst the high-stakes drama, race organizers ASO announced a reduction in the distance of Sunday's final stage from 133km to 89km. This decision was made to reallocate emergency services to address devastating wildfires in the country's southwest. While the final stage typically culminates in a sprint finish on the historic Champs-Élysées cobbles, a new section over Montmartre introduces the possibility of a breakaway victory for riders with exceptional power. In a departure from his usual aggressive style, Pogacar opted for a more conservative approach, prioritizing Del Toro's defense of his white jersey against the challenge from French sensation Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA-CGM). Seixas, aged 19, ultimately succumbed to the grueling demands of the final mountain, expected to finish fourth overall, 11 minutes and 56 seconds behind Pogacar. Britain's Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) finished 16th on the stage and is projected to secure ninth place in the general classification. Denmark's Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) is set to win the green points jersey, holding an unassailable 82-point lead over Belgium's Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech).
Pogacar's impending victory is not just a personal achievement but a testament to his exceptional talent and strategic acumen. His ability to dominate the most challenging stages while also supporting his team highlights a rare blend of individual brilliance and team spirit. Carapaz's impressive performance on Alpe d'Huez, particularly his resilience and opportunistic riding, adds another layer of excitement to this year's Tour. The race has once again captivated audiences with its blend of athletic prowess, unpredictable drama, and breathtaking landscapes, solidifying its status as a pinnacle of professional cycling.
