EF Education-Easypost Secures Stage Win with Richard Carapaz at Tour de France 2026

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EF Education-Easypost achieved a significant milestone at the 2026 Tour de France, capturing a stage victory with Richard Carapaz’s triumph in stage 18 at Orcières-Merlette. The Ecuadorian showcased his expertise as the race moved into the Alps, securing the win through a strategic attack from a select group.

The stage’s profile favored a large breakaway, eventually forming a leading group of 14 riders after intense maneuvering on the Côte d’Engins. Among them was Mads Pedersen, focused on reclaiming the green jersey points he lost to Jasper Philipsen. Pedersen dominated the intermediate sprint nearly 130 kilometers into the stage.

A slight lull offered an opportunity for Matteo Jorgenson, Tobias Halland Johannessen, Raúl García Pierna, Felix Engelhardt, and Mauro Schmid to break away, joined by Carapaz and Valentin Paret-Peintre. Engelhardt and García Pierna lagged behind during the ascent to Côte de Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes but regrouped for the final climb.

As they ascended to Orcières-Merlette, Carapaz launched an initial attack 4 kilometers from the finish, shaking off Paret-Peintre and Johannessen. A second, decisive surge allowed him to secure a solo victory, leaving Schmid and Jorgenson trailing.

Arms outstretched, Carapaz’s emphatic win demonstrated his consistent form in the third week, driving home the point with strategic precision.

Carapaz, running free with team support, leveraged his own insights to identify stages that suited his strengths. Positioned 25 minutes behind general classification leader Tadej Pogačar, he was the clear favorite once the peloton chose not to pursue the breakaway. The strong front group narrowed down to Carapaz, Johannessen, Jorgenson, García Pierna, Schmid, and Paret-Peintre.

In a calculated move, Carapaz attacked with 4.1 km remaining, distancing Johannessen and García Pierna. Another burst at 3.4 km left Paret-Peintre lagging, as Carapaz accelerated, gaining 21 seconds in just one kilometer.

Carapaz’s victory, his ninth Grand Tour stage win, marked a record for South Americans, surpassing legends Nairo Quintana and Luis Herrera. He advanced into the top 10, trailing ninth-placed Jordan Jegat by seven minutes.

Beyond individual triumphs, the EF Pro Cycling team celebrated the collective effort that enabled Carapaz’s success.

In the mountains classification, Carapaz’s win brought him within seven points of leader Pogačar, with Paret-Peintre one point behind after finishing fourth.

Challenges Facing UAE Team Emirates

Pogačar experienced isolation upon arriving at Orcières-Merlette. His support team was depleted, with climber Brandon McNulty exiting mid-stage due to illness and other team members battling health issues. Concerns rose when Pogačar wore black shorts, prompting speculation about his health, though the team downplayed these concerns.

Amid setbacks, the remaining team members persevered, maintaining distance from one another to reduce infection risks. Pogačar, focused on managing the final stages, anticipated stronger performances from teammates Isaac del Toro and Tim Wellens.

Mads Pedersen’s Comeback

Mads Pedersen made a noteworthy recovery after a challenging stage 17, where rival Philipsen closed in on the green jersey. On stage 18, Pedersen joined a seven-rider breakaway, determined to extend his lead.

His persistence led to a successful intermediate sprint, earning 25 points, increasing his lead to 32 points over Philipsen. Pedersen’s commitment might see him take similar strategic steps in upcoming stages.

Race Dynamics in the Final Week

While Pogačar and Pedersen are positioned for top jersey honors, the Tour still offers competitive opportunities for many participants. Stories abound, from fights for contracts, aspirations for first-time Paris finishes, and dreams of stage wins.

Swiss rider Yannis Voisard, experiencing a career-best performance, strived for a top 10 finish after sitting 10th in the general classification. At 27, his aggressive riding style places him on the radar for a transformative career leap.

Another notable debutant is XDS Astana’s Aaron Gate, one of the oldest to debut in the century, achieving a top 10 stage finish at 35.