Tadej Pogacar is on the verge of securing a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title, following a dramatic Stage 20 that saw Richard Carapaz claim victory in Alpe d'Huez. The challenging 170.9km stage featured three hors catégorie climbs, culminating in a second ascent of the iconic Alpe d'Huez ski resort.
American rider Sepp Kuss, the 2023 Vuelta a Espana winner, was part of an early breakaway. With approximately 25km remaining, Kuss attacked alone, appearing to have the strength to hold on to a lead. However, Kuss crashed twice on the descent and approach to Alpe d'Huez. The second crash, exiting a tunnel near the town, allowed Richard Carapaz of EF Education-Easypost to overtake him and secure the stage win. Carapaz, the 2019 Giro d'Italia champion, has now won two stages in three days and also clinched the king of the mountains competition.
While Pogacar typically delivers dominant performances, on this stage, he focused on supporting teammate Isaac Del Toro. Del Toro was facing challenges on the Col du Galibier while defending his white jersey and third place overall. French rider Paul Seixas of Decathlon CMA-CGM, who was also contending for third, ultimately lost energy on the final mountain.
Seixas, 19, is expected to finish fourth in the general classification, over 11 minutes behind Pogacar's overall time. Britain's Tom Pidcock finished the stage 16th and is set to conclude the Tour in ninth place overall.
Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek is guaranteed to win the green points jersey in Paris on Sunday, holding an unassailable 82-point lead over Jasper Philipsen.
Pogacar's impending fifth Tour de France victory places him among the sport's most successful cyclists. The final stage on Sunday will conclude in Paris.