Tadej Pogacar is poised to claim a record-equalling fifth Tour de France after Richard Carapaz won stage 20 to Alpe d'Huez, ahead of a shortened final stage in Paris.
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Key facts
- Richard Carapaz of Ecuador won stage 20 to Alpe d'Huez.
- Tadej Pogacar holds a large lead and is set to win a record-equalling fifth Tour de France.
- The final stage on Sunday has been shortened to 89km due to wildfires elsewhere in France.
- The shortened stage will start on the Champs-Élysées with two laps followed by circuits of the Butte de Montmartre.
Tadej Pogacar is set to win a record-equalling fifth Tour de France after Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz took a dramatic stage 20 to Alpe d’Huez, according to the BBC.
Carapaz’s stage victory came on the iconic Alpe d’Huez climb, but it was not enough to threaten Pogacar’s overall lead, which the Guardian described as huge heading into the final day.
Pogacar, already a four-time winner of the race, is now on course to equal the record for Tour de France titles. His likely victory parade on the streets of Paris will come sooner than usual on Sunday.
The final stage has been shortened due to wildfires elsewhere in France, the Guardian reported. The stage will now be only 89km long and will start on the Champs-Élysées, where two laps of the avenue will be followed by the traditional circuits of the Butte de Montmartre.
In a joint statement with the police prefecture, the Tour organiser ASO said the change was linked to security needs elsewhere. The statement said: “The ministry of the interior has decided to redeploy a portion of the internal security forces initially mobilised for the final stage of the Tour de France, in order to reinforce the response efforts in the areas affected by the wildfires.”
The adjustment means the final day’s racing will be scaled back, though the closing circuits around Montmartre remain part of the route as the race heads to its conclusion in Paris.
Why it matters
A fifth Tour de France title would place Pogacar among the most successful riders in the race's history. The shortened final stage also highlights how wildfires in France are affecting one of the country's biggest sporting events.
Frequently asked questions
Who won stage 20 of the Tour de France?
Ecuador's Richard Carapaz won stage 20 to Alpe d'Huez, according to the BBC.
Why was the final stage shortened?
According to the Guardian, the final stage was shortened due to wildfires elsewhere in France, with security forces redeployed to reinforce response efforts in affected areas.
How long is the shortened final stage?
The final stage will now be 89km, starting on the Champs-Élysées with two laps of the avenue followed by circuits of the Butte de Montmartre.
Timeline
- Relentless Tadej Pogacar wins fifth Tour de France to equal record
The Guardian Sport: Slovene becomes fifth rider to win five Tours Eddy Merckx: ‘He’ll soon break our record’ Tadej Pogacar took a record-equalling fifth win in the Tour de France on Sunday, joining Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin in the canon of the Tour’s most suc
- Pogacar set for Tour de France glory in shortened finale as Carapaz wins stage 20
The Guardian Sport: Four-time victor holds huge lead after Alpe d’Huez Final stage to be shortened due to wildfires elsewhere Tadej Pogacar’s likely victory parade on the streets of Paris will come sooner on Sunday after the final stage of the Tour de France was shortened due to wildfires elsewhere
- Pogacar set to equal Tour record as Carapaz wins stage
BBC Sport: Tadej Pogacar is set to win a record-equalling fifth Tour de France after Ecuador's Richard Carapaz takes a dramatic stage 20 to Alpe d'Huez.