In the Pink on Stage 18

Richard Carapaz won Stage 18 of the 2026 Tour de France from a breakaway on an uphill finish in Orcieres-Merlette.

There is sickness in the UAE camp, so they did not suffocate the race as they often do. That left breathing room for a breakaway.

Valentin Paret-Peintre was in the break, and hoovered up a lot of KOM points.

The final iteration of the breakaway was Carapaz, Paret-Peintre, Matteo Jorgenson, Tobias Johannessen, Mauro Schmid and Raul Garcia.

Carapaz’s successful attack came with 3.5km to go, and he solo-ed to victory.

Schmid was second and Jorgenson third.

These are video highlights of Stage 18.