Tadej Pogacar has further solidified his position as the favorite for his record-equalling fifth Tour de France victory, after Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz claimed the prestigious 20th stage atop Alpe d’Huez.
With the race set to conclude on Sunday with a ceremonial stage around Paris, Pogacar only needs to finish the final leg to join an elite group of cyclists, including Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain, who hold five Tour titles.
At 27, Pogacar becomes the youngest rider to achieve this historic feat. He finished the stage in fourth place, alongside team-mate Isaac Del Toro, securing third overall and the white jersey for best young rider, ahead of French rider Paul Seixas.
Pogacar, maintaining a 6-minute 26-second lead, allowed Remco Evenepoel to gain 40 seconds in the overall standings during Saturday’s stage.
Despite these strategic maneuvers, Pogacar continues to lead the race, with Del Toro trailing at 9:42.
Carapaz, who previously won stage 18, also claimed the King of the Mountains polka-dot jersey. His victory came after American Sepp Kuss, leading briefly before a dramatic double crash in the final kilometers, secured by safety netting. Kuss, though valiant, could not prevent Carapaz’s triumph. Eleanor Kassara
