PREM Rugby Cup

A brilliant ride from him, it's up to Carapaz now. It's truly a shame that this Tour has offered more for the likes of Healy, or more heavier rouleurs, because the racing would have been better for it, in my opinion. In the absence of such a parcours, however, Healy has been an admirably unselfish equipier.

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,