ALPE D'HUEZ, France — In a thrilling conclusion to the Tour de France's final mountain stage, Ecuador's Richard Carapaz claimed victory on the legendary Alpe d'Huez climb, securing his second stage win in three days and locking in the coveted mountains classification jersey.

The EF Education-EasyPost rider completed the grueling 170.9-kilometer route from Le Bourg-d'Oisans, demonstrating remarkable resilience after American rival Sepp Kuss crashed twice in the closing kilometers while leading the race.

A Dramatic Finale on the Legendary Ascent

Carapaz and Kuss were part of an early breakaway that formed on the first of four major climbs on Saturday's stage. Alongside Australia's Jai Hindley, the trio emerged as the strongest riders from the group, setting the stage for a tense battle on the iconic 21-switchback climb.

With 17 kilometers remaining, Kuss launched a powerful attack, opening a small gap that suggested he was on course for a memorable victory. But disaster struck twice for the American: first, he crashed in a tunnel, losing precious seconds; then, on a treacherous descent, he hit the ground again. Carapaz seized the opportunity, reeling in his rival and surging past to claim the win.

"He showed perseverance. He just kept on going," said Carapaz's sports director, Charlie Wegelius. "Kuss obviously went once, managed to get him back, managed to get him the other time when he was just holding him, and clawing back a few seconds here and there. He just never gave up."

The victory marks Carapaz's second stage win in the 2026 Tour, solidifying his reputation as one of cycling's most tenacious climbers.

Wildfires Shorten Final Stage

Meanwhile, race organizers announced that Sunday's final stage into Paris has been shortened to 89 kilometers—down from the original 133 kilometers—due to devastating wildfires raging near Bordeaux and Biscarrosse in the Landes region.

The fires have destroyed over 36,000 hectares of forest, prompting the French Ministry of the Interior to redeploy security forces originally assigned to the Tour finale to support firefighting efforts. This marks the third stage of this year's race to be modified due to extreme weather conditions.

The revised stage will now start directly on the Champs-Élysées, with two laps of the famous avenue followed by circuits of the Butte Montmartre—offering Tadej Pogacar a slightly earlier victory parade as he secures his expected overall triumph.

"The Ministry of the Interior has decided to redeploy a portion of the internal security forces initially mobilized for the final stage of the Tour de France, in order to reinforce the response efforts in the areas affected by the wildfires," read a joint statement from organizers ASO and local police.

A Tour Defined by Resilience

This year's Tour de France has been repeatedly impacted by environmental challenges, with heatwaves and wildfires forcing adjustments to what was already one of the most demanding editions in recent memory. Despite the disruptions, the racing has delivered unforgettable moments—Carapaz's dramatic Alpe d'Huez victory standing among the most memorable.

As the peloton prepares for a shortened procession into Paris, the 2026 Tour will be remembered not only for its athletic excellence but also for the resilience of riders, organizers, and first responders facing unprecedented challenges. For Carapaz, the polka-dot jersey is a fitting reward for a rider who never gave up—even when the road, and the world around it, seemed determined to make the journey as difficult as possible.