🔥 Trending Tour de France Stage 18: Winner and Highlights

Richard Carapaz, the Ecuadorian cyclist, won Stage 18 of the Tour de France on Thursday, July 23, 2026 ³⁵. He secured his victory with a commanding breakaway on the final climb to Orcières-Merlette in the Alps ¹⁵. This marks Carapaz's second career Tour de France stage win ¹. Despite a close call with a spectator, Carapaz managed to maintain his lead and cross the finish line first ⁴. Race leader Tadej Pogačar retained his overall lead, though his team faced challenges with a key teammate falling ill ⁴⁷⁸.