Carapaz Conquers The Queen Stage And Seals The Mountains Jersey

Richard Carapaz crowned an extraordinary final week by winning the Tour de France queen stage at Alpe d’Huez. The Ecuadorian survived a brutal 170.9-kilometre route with 5,450 metres of climbing, resisted through the decisive moments and capitalised on Sepp Kuss’s late misfortune to claim his second victory in three days.

The battle began far from the finish. Carapaz joined a powerful 14-rider breakaway that formed on the Col de la Croix de Fer and included Kuss, Jai Hindley and Juan Ayuso. Four major climbs and the fight for the mountains classification ensured there was no room for calculation. Carapaz collected maximum points on the Galibier, effectively securing the polka-dot jersey before the final descent towards Alpe d’Huez.

The strongest riders in the break gradually emerged on the Col de Sarenne. Kuss attacked with 17.4 kilometres remaining and opened a lead of around 20 seconds over Carapaz. The American appeared to have found the winning move, but the chase never completely stopped.

The race changed dramatically on the technical run towards the finish. Kuss crashed twice, first after leaving a dark tunnel and then on a dangerous bend where a barrier and safety net prevented a much more serious fall. Carapaz passed him, quickly built a decisive advantage and rode alone towards the final ramps.

The Ecuadorian reached the finish 26 seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel, who overtook Kuss in the closing metres. Kuss held on for third at 31 seconds, while Tadej Pogačar and Isaac del Toro arrived together just over a minute behind the winner.

The result gives Carapaz stage victories at Orcières-Merlette and Alpe d’Huez in the same Tour, as well as overall victory in the mountains classification. It also lifts him to eighth in the general classification, 20 minutes behind Pogačar.

After spending much of the race away from the main battle for yellow, Carapaz transformed his Tour through aggression and persistence. He will arrive in Paris with two prestigious stage wins and the polka-dot jersey, completing one of the most successful final weeks of his career.