Richard Carapaz produced a stunning ride to win the Tour de France’s ultimate queen stage on Alpe d’Huez, completing a brilliant final week by taking his second victory of the race and sealing the polka-dot jersey. But the Ecuadorian’s triumph came after a dramatic finale, with Sepp Kuss looking destined for a famous stage win before crashing twice on the descent into the finish and seeing his hopes disappear.
We break down a brutal day in the Alps, from the huge 5,600 metres of climbing to the battle for the breakaway, as Kuss, Carapaz, Jai Hindley and others fought for the stage victory on the final climbs.
After Kuss’ heartbreak, Carapaz seized the opportunity and powered clear to claim a memorable win on one of the Tour’s most iconic climbs.
Mads Pedersen once again showed his trademark panache, fighting his way into the breakaway and securing the points needed to all but seal the green jersey. The Dane’s willingness to attack even on the toughest mountain stages underlined one of the most impressive points-classification rides in recent Tour history.
Behind, Tadej Pogačar swapped his usual attacking role for that of super-domestique, setting the pace on the Galibier and the final climbs to protect UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Isaac Del Toro’s third place on GC. The yellow jersey sacrificed his own ambitions of another stage win to help his teammate, creating one of the most fascinating moments of the race.
We also discuss Paul Seixas’ superb ride to defend fourth place overall, the French teenager continuing to announce himself as one of cycling’s brightest future stars, while Remco Evenepoel launched a late move in search of victory and strengthened his grip on second place.
Ned Boulting and Lizzie Deignan Breakdown Stage 20 of the Tour de France 2026.
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31 Comments
We could make a series, “The Adventure of Lizzie’s Passport”
Love that line about the riders hearing their own discomfort
Looking for to hearing on the Tour de Femme
Looking forward to TDF Femme!
That guy who parked behind you and Lizzy is really bad at parking… he hit the kerb and then left no room for the car behind to get out….
Sorry had to vent at him!
Whilst I appreciate that such tours are a team game, I was disappointed not to see Pog power on alone and take this one too – which he could have done easily.
3:20 Why would I continue watching when one of the people presenting is too cynical to be interested?
One of the greatest stages in the event and this is the dullest thing on youtube.
Nice to see Lizzie back. I agree, though, on the highlights, but I think it's partly because the Channel 5 highlights don't really hold a candle to ITV. No history of France or the tour or anything. No Gary or Pete's thoughts or Ned and David's commentary
Yay Carapaz and EF 🎉💓
This Tour de France has turned Ned Boulting into a fan of the Alps. That is a change for the ages.
It was a great days racing, with so many different things happening. I felt sorry for Kuss, he came so close to taking the stage. Nice to see that Del Toro will be on the podium. Thanks for another great podcast, good to see Lizzie back, really interesting to hear about the African project. We will see what tomorrow brings.
Yay Lizzie is back!
There is always a sense of loss after every Tour de France which I have been watching since 2014 – a sense of something missing . I had accepted this year that I wouldn't be absorbing any of the sights and sounds of the TdF but as some compensation there has been highlights available on Channel 5 and seven stages free to air on Channel 4's Welsh language channel S4C – there must be a logic to the latter that the lucky people of Wales can watch some of the TdF free to air but not the rest of us. An additional compensation has been this podcast with expert analysis from Ned and David (particularly the latter) which I had become very accustomed to and now Lizzie. I look forward to the TdF Femme . It hasn't worked out as the complete loss of the TdF that I was expecting . Many thanks .
Ned! Graham Robb.. author… The go to for french culture/Histoire
Bring back David Millar. Brings so much insight and enthusiasm. Lizzie is a great but not a natural storyteller not good at bringing out the joy of following the TdF.
Ned is absolutely right, Pog is such a unique athlete unlike anyone we have seen in cycling or sports in general. A real and authentic personality. Chapeau Tadej.
Congratulations Richard Carapaz, King of the Mountains 🇪🇨
It’s interesting to see the difference between the relationship between Pogacar/Del Toro compared to LeMond/Hinault.
Shame he didn't win it, but what a relief Sepp Kuss is ok! That was so close. Congrats to Carapaz! Have really enjoyed listening to these podcasts, both humorous and educational. The backdrops are always impressive, as well.
Dopacar
Perfect thumbnail for the "Queen's Stage" lol
Seriously though – what a phenomenal Tour this year !!!
Carapaz reminded me of Laurent Jalabert's attacking style and panache in the mountains. Absolute legends!
is French reaction to Pogacars super domesticing today ensuring Del Toros podium place wouldn’t be challenged by Seixus taken as generous support or a fix to deny big French hope?
Re your two "Muckoff riders" –
Carapaz – it is remarkable what he has managed to achieve on this Tour at 33 years of age – true grit !!
Tadej seems to genuinely appreciate Isaac- he finally has a "running mate", someone that he can really train with (they both have apartments in Monaco), + there is truth in the old saying – "You teach best what you most need to learn".
Tadej is an obsessional perfectionist & now has an apprentice to share his wisdom & knowledge with – one couldn't ask for better than that in life.
The other (overlooked) aspect of Carapaz's achievement is that Pogacar potentially has many more years in his legs, if he so chooses.
I have to add that is a joy to see Remco reach his elite status again & regain his self confidence – he's a Rocket !
An excellent stage, even if I had to watch along on S4C. Delighted for Carapaz, how can you not love the way he has raced these last 3 days, and a thoroughly deserved KOM. I think I agree with Ned here, this was almost too much climbing for Stage 20, many of the riders seemed spent and it's to Seixas's credit that only today he finally showed a little weakness. Exciting for the future though, as is Del Toro. Vingegaard's absence clearly gave Pogacar breathing space to nurture Del Toro, none more so than today. Chapeau to him though, as he could have gone for another stage win, but played the team game instead. Hard not to love the sport after a stage like today!
Thanks Ned 👌
Im going for MVdP to win the stage into Paris
That dude parked his car pretty close to the car behind.
Thanks for all the work guys, see you next year I hope.
Thanks, Ned, Lizzie and David for the insights into this amazing spectacle. More power to your elbow!
Loved learning about the Amani project – fascinating. Hope they do well in future. These podcasts have been terrific, thanks to all the team that created them.
I asked Lizzie in Northampton during the Tour of Britain how the QoM’s on the stage were (that she won). ‘A bit easy’ she replied. I think that was the same year that Ned predicted (with a confident air) to me (also in Northampton) that Quintana would win the Tour. Halcyon days thank you both