MLS

Before they're even over 2000m, the Irishman has reduced the group to Juan Ayuso, Richard Carapaz, S Kuss, Jai Hindley, Thymen Arensman, Matthew Riccitello. And the latter two of those are struggling, with 9km still to go on this climb. Davide Piganzoli has done well, but this is the 41st Grand Tour stage of his season.

Ben Healy isn't hanging around, and with their lead dropping, wants to give his team at least a shot at the stage. Carapaz waits, then jumps.

If Richard Carapaz is first to the top here, he will secure the 2026 King of the Mountains title, as long as he crosses the line in Paris tomorrow. This is where the altitude starts to bite, but if there's anyone for whom it'll be a breeze, it's the rider born at 2830 meters in El Carmelo Ecuador,

Ben Healy guides Carapaz to the summit of the Telegraph. As close to an armchair ride as you'll get in climbing, the Irishman moves aside a hundred metres before the line allowing his team-mate to waltz towards another ten points. That's twenty for the day and puts him 31 points ahead of Tadej Pogacar. It's getting closer.