Carapaz Gives EF Education A Big Win

Key Points:

• Richard Carapaz of EF Education-EasyPost won stage 18 of the Tour de France after breaking away with five others inside the final 46km and launching two decisive surges in the last 4km to secure a solo victory.
• Carapaz finished 45 seconds ahead of Mauro Schmid and Matteo Jorgenson, with Valentin Paret-Peintre trailing by 1:14; this win is a significant relief for his American team, which had been seeking a stage victory.
• Race leader Tadej Pogačar maintained his yellow jersey position safely with the main GC group, but his UAE Emirates team faced difficulties as Brandon McNulty abandoned due to illness and Adam Yates lost significant time.
• Mads Pedersen extended his lead in the green jersey competition by winning the intermediate sprint, while Valentin Paret-Peintre improved his standing in the mountains classification, now just one point behind Pogačar.
• Stage 18, the first of three challenging Alpine days, featured multiple breakaways and climbs, culminating in Carapaz’s emotional win following personal hardships, including the recent loss of his mother and injury struggles.