Pogacar Approaches Fifth Tour de France Title, Carapaz Wins Queen Stage

Tadej Pogacar all but sealed a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title on Saturday as Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz won the 20th stage on Alpe d'Huez. The stage commenced in Le Bourg d'Oisans and concluded in Alpe d'Huez, France, on July 25, 2026.

With the 21st and final stage of the 113th edition of the Tour expected to follow the typical route around Paris, Pogacar would only need to finish the race to secure his fifth Tour title in seven years. The 27-year-old Slovenian cyclist is set to join cycling legends Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain as one of the few riders to win the sport's most prestigious race five times, making him the youngest to achieve this feat.

On Saturday, Pogacar crossed the finish line in fourth place, alongside his teammate Isaac Del Toro, who managed to secure third place overall and won the best young rider's white jersey category, ahead of rising French star Paul Seixas. In the process, Pogacar allowed Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel, finishing second in the stage, to gain approximately 40 seconds back in the overall standings.

Pogacar is leading by 6 minutes and 26 seconds going into Sunday’s finale, with Del Toro in third place at a distance of 9 minutes and 42 seconds from the leader. Carapaz, who won the 18th stage in a solo breakaway, achieved his second stage victory in three days and secured the King of the Mountains polkadot jersey. Despite an unfortunate crash in the last 7km of the 20th stage, American Sepp Kuss attempted to maintain his lead but faced challenges and ultimately fell behind as he was passed by Evenepoel.

Carapaz’s victory in the brutal 170.9km Queen stage, which featured four significant climbs, showcased his talent and resilience in the sport.