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Carapaz Wins Alpe d’Huez, Claims Polka-Dot Jersey Amid Wildfire-Shortened Stage

7/25/2026

27 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) won Stage 20 to Alpe d’Huez on 25 July 2026.
The 170.9-km stage gave Carapaz his second win in three days and the polka-dot jersey with 91 points.
Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) crashed twice in the final 7 km, allowing Carapaz to pass for the win.
The Paris stage was reduced to 89 km because security was redeployed to fight wildfires that have burned over 36,000 hectares.

History

Historical Context

In 1975 the Tour de France introduced white jersey with red dots, sponsored by Chocolat Poulain, to mark the King of the Mountains competition first recognised in 1933. Bernard Thévenet won the overall race that year. In 2026 Stage 20, Richard Carapaz of EF Education-EasyPost claimed the polka-dot jersey with 91 points on a shortened Alpe d’Huez, illustrating climate-driven contingency.

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Story summary

Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) won Stage 20 to Alpe d’Huez on 25 July 2026.
The 170.9-km stage gave Carapaz his second win in three days and the polka-dot jersey with 91 points.
Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) crashed twice in the final 7 km, allowing Carapaz to pass for the win.
The Paris stage was reduced to 89 km because security was redeployed to fight wildfires that have burned over 36,000 hectares.

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