Stage 18 of the 2026 Tour de France was another huge day in the Alps, taking the riders 185.2km from Voiron to Orcières-Merlette with 3,900 metres of climbing. On paper, it looked like another day for the GC contenders—but instead, the breakaway finally had its moment.
A world-class group fought all day for the stage, with Richard Carapaz, Matteo Jorgenson, Mauro Schmid, Valentin Paret-Peintre and Tobias Halland Johannessen all sensing a rare opportunity. When the attacks finally came on the final climb, it was Carapaz who made the decisive move, riding clear on the slopes to claim EF Education-EasyPost’s first stage victory of the Tour after weeks of relentless attacking.
Behind, the general classification battle never truly ignited, despite Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe setting a hard tempo on the final climb. Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel, Isaac Del Toro and Paul Seixas all crossed the line together, meaning the fight for yellow—and the battle for the remaining podium places—remains delicately poised heading into the Tour’s decisive mountain stages.
However, there were signs that UAE Team Emirates-XRG may not be quite as invincible as they have looked. Brendan McNulty abandoned the race through illness, Adam Yates was dropped long before the finale, and for the first time in the high mountains, Pogačar looked noticeably lighter on support. Is that simply the cost of three demanding weeks, or is there finally an opportunity for his rivals to exploit?
Elsewhere, Mads Pedersen strengthened his grip on the green jersey by comfortably taking maximum points at the intermediate sprint, putting himself back in control of the points classification after Jasper Philipsen’s victory the previous day.
Ned Boulting and David Millar Breakdown Stage 18 of the Tour de France 2026.
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25 Comments
How is it possible that journalist does not know there's sickness in the UAE camp.. NOT weakness…
Hilarious. Just after David said "Tour de Frances" I was going to pen a pedantic message and say that's twice in two days for that particular faux pas. And then Ned, bless, made the point for me. Other than that, fabulous show. Again. Thanks!
ALWAYS enjoy the analysis 👍
P.S. Just a small suggestion – you don't need to have the mics so close to your mouths – it picks up all the mouth breath inhaling which ruins the audio quality / distracting
The next two days should be epic, I hope that illness in the UAE camp does not spoil it. Great podcast as always.
No bucket hat, got any haribo? I got hit squarely in the gonads by a well flung packet at last year's Tour.
Question: Given the understandable French excitement surrounding Paul Seixas, what will the reaction be if there is no French stage win in TdF 26?
For Ned’s bucket hat odyssey, would Saturday or Sunday be his best chance? As the caravan need to offload everything beforehand returned of the race? Best of luck Ned 🪣
Love the scenery!! But doubt the riders have much opportunity to appreciate it.
You’re doing a great job – so engaging. I’m in France – no access to HBO so I have you and France TV. Perfect!
I like the teeny, tiny fella in the back! Will he be accompanying you in your further endeavours?
Loved the Caravan tactics banter 😂
Mads is so honest!
Half their team is sick. What did you expect????
Chaps – wonderful content as usual, as a dedicated NSF listener (on my frequent dreary commutes to Warwick from Sheffield) I have to say FTLOC is a brilliant evolution of the pod. You guys have the best insight, humour, connections (cracking sidebars) and infectious love for the sport…I’m on the Alpe with my wife and boys (first time ever… it is spectacular) for the next two stages and we’re on a mission for a bucket hat and a load of team car/bus freebies. We’re staying close by so if we spot you and are replete with bucket hats we’ll share the spoils. Keep on podding…chapeau! Ben ✌️✌️✌️
CARAVAN: As a 50%er who has attended the Tour over 20 times just for the Caravan, I can confirm that the best place to stand is on an isolated stretch of road. Failing that stand behind a small child. Tat is generally thrown at kids, they miss it, and you just simply pick it up behind them. I have over 50 bucket hats using these tactics! Also at Huez, don't worry, they restock the Caravan up there and then do a few laps of the village itself. So in fact you have greater chances of getting tat! Al from London
That was really entertaining. I thought that thing on the chair was a dog at first. Really like the no frills, hit the ground running reporting. Sticking the receiver out of the window. The 2nd part was my favourite today. Esp about the bucket hat odyssey and Mads Pedersen. Backdrop amazing.
If Pogacar does get sick, the Amaury Sport Organisation should still allow him to win the race due the grace of the President of France. President’s grace.
Changing KOM so there are less points for mountain top finishes, would leave the KOM to the most aggressive breakaway rider
QUESTION:Where are you going to be in Paris?
In the first half of the podcast I was expecting the grey bearded sage sitting between you both to interrupt and make a contribution at any moment . Is he one of the pundits from the early days of the Tour, say 1905 or 1906 ? Look forward to his contributions in the remaining podcasts . As ever wonderful stuff !
No mention of Mauro Schmid? Incredible!
Otherwise, this new viewer of ftlc is watching you first!🇨🇦
Worst case I can I imagine is third times a charm up Montmarte someone clips the side of a cobble, and goes down in front of Tadej who flips over and breaks, pick a bone, and cannot finish
Another excellent episode! But Is it really weakness by UAE? They’ve just lost their first rider with 3 days to go – plus, should disaster strike Pog, having Del Toro as a plan B is a pretty handy card to have in reserve. I guess it’s relative weakness compared to their usual dominance – but other teams would love the ‘weakness’ of 1st and 3rd on GC. BTW is that Quinn Simmons’ dad in the middle on part 1?
An apt name for people that really do love this sport. Thank you for sharing all your stories and insight
absolutely NOT