Carapaz triumphs in Orcières-Merlette on Stage 18 of the Tour de France

Orcières-Merlette — Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) claimed victory on the eighteenth stage of the 2026 Tour de France, proving the strongest of a six-man breakaway selection at the finish in Orcières-Merlette. The Ecuadorian rider attacked decisively 3.3 km from the finish on the final climb, dropping all his breakaway companions and crossing the line solo in a time of 4h26'21". Behind him, Mauro Schmid (Team Jayco Alula) outsprinted Matteo Jorgenson (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) for second place, both arriving 45 seconds later. Fourth place went to Valentin Paret Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step) at 1'14", fifth to Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) at 1'57". Carapaz had been part of the day's breakaway alongside Jorgenson, Schmid, Johannessen, Raúl García Pierna (Movistar) and Paret Peintre. The substantial gap over the yellow jersey group allowed the escapees to play for the stage win. On the final ramps, Jorgenson tried several times to anticipate the sprint, but was always reeled back in. The decisive move came from Carapaz, who delivered a sharp acceleration over 4 km from the finish, with no one able to follow him. For Carapaz, this is his ninth career Grand Tour stage victory, making him the South American rider with the most stage wins in the three-week races, surpassing Nairo Quintana and Luis Herrera. General Classification No changes at the top of the general classification. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) keeps the yellow jersey with a time of 64h35'13", holding a lead of 4'32" over Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull - Bora - Hansgrohe) and 6'51" over Isaac Del Toro Romero (UAE Team Emirates XRG). The race continues with the final stages heading toward Nice, where the final general classification positions will be decided.