Greek Super League

Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz won Stage 18 at Orcieres-Merlette yesterday from a select six-man breakaway on a day Valentin Paret-Peintre came close to the polka dot jersey and Mads Pedersen pulled off a green jersey coup.

With Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and his yellow jersey rivals keeping their powder dry ahead of the Alpe d’Huez double header, Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) rode clear of Mauro Schmid (Jayco-AlUla), Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step) on the fifth and final climb of a tough 185km stage in the Alps to pick up his first win on the Tour de France since 2024.

After taking maximum King of the Mountain points over the first four climbs of the day, Paret-Peintre came up one point short of taking over the polka dot jersey outright from Pogacar, his fourth place in the stage also dashing the hopes of the host nation still searching for an elusive win.

But there was joy for Denmark’s Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) who put his disappointment from Stage 16 behind him to strengthen his grip on the green jersey.

Part of an early breakaway that formed after the first climb of the day, Pedersen was the cornerstone of a solid 14-man move that stayed out over the next two climbs. The Dane then took maximum points in the intermediate sprint – a whopping 129km from the start – to move 32 points clear of his nearest rival, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech).

Bonjour le Tour! Hello and welcome to live coverage of Stage 19 of the Tour de France – the first of two historic back-to-back finishes on the legendary Alpe d’Huez.

It’s make or break time for Tadej Pogacar’s rivals, with the four-time champion on the cusp of a record-equalling fifth Tour triumph, but his UAE Team Emirates-XRG feeling the pinch as sickness sweeps through the ranks.

Brandon McNulty withdrew yesterday and both Adam Yates and Tim Wellens have battled to avoid the time cut for the last two days. Pogacar and his Mexican team-mate Isaac del Toro – currently third on GC – will have it all to do today, even if they’re not apparently suffering with the same stomach bug.

Today is the traditional climb up Alpe d’Huez before tomorrow’s alternative approach via the Col de Sarenne. It’s going to be a glorious double-header for fans, so let’s hope it lives up to the hype and billing.