Alpe d’Huez mountain stage defines 2026 Tour de France jersey battles

Stage 20 of the 2026 Tour de France ended at Alpe d’Huez, turning the iconic climb into the decisive arena for the King of Mountains (polka‑dot), points (green) and best‑young‑rider (white) competitions.

Ecuadorian rider Richard Carapaz, who returned to racing after surgery that sidelined him earlier in the season, captured a stage win on the summit and secured the polka‑dot jersey – the first mountain‑stage victory in that jersey since Julian Alaphilippe in 2018. "It’s been incredible this year," Carapaz said. His triumph came as Tadej Pogacar had already taken the yellow jersey, while the fights for the green and white jerseys heated up among sprinters and young climbers.