Richard Carapaz won Stage 20 of the 2026 Tour de France on the Alpe d’Huez climb, securing the King of the Mountains jersey [1].

The victory marks a pivotal shift in the race for the mountains classification, as a late-stage incident removed one of the primary contenders from the lead group.

Carapaz capitalized on a late-race challenge that saw Sepp Kuss crash during the stage [1]. The incident removed a key rival and opened the race for Carapaz to attack and claim both the stage win and the prestigious KOM jersey [1].

Stage 20 served as the queen stage of the event, finishing at the iconic Alpe d’Huez [1]. The route was grueling, featuring a total elevation gain of 5,450 meters [2]. This high level of physical demand contributed to the attrition seen among the peloton as they approached the final ascent.

While the stage victory focused on the mountain classification, the overall race dynamics remained tense. Tadej Pogačar was forced to work independently after his UAE team domestiques ran out of helpers during the stage [2].

Carapaz used the opening created by Kuss's crash to distance himself from the remaining competitors. His performance on the Alpe d’Huez climb cemented his status as the premier climber of this year's tour [1].

“Richard Carapaz won Stage 20 of the 2026 Tour de France on the Alpe d’Huez climb”

Carapaz's victory and acquisition of the King of the Mountains jersey signify a dominant performance in the high-altitude phases of the 2026 Tour. The crash of Sepp Kuss not only altered the stage result but fundamentally shifted the points battle for the mountains classification, leaving Carapaz with a significant advantage heading into the final stages of the race.