Ecuadorian cyclist Richard Carapaz won the 18th stage of the Tour de France on July 23, finishing alone at the summit of Orcières Merlette during the first leg of the Alpine triple. Leading his EF Education team, Carapaz escaped a group of six riders three and a half kilometers before the finish line, securing his second victory on the Grand Tour after his win at Superdévoluy in 2024. He finished 45 seconds ahead of Swiss rider Mauro Schmid and American Matteo Jorgenson, while French rider Valentin Paret-Peintre came in fourth, 1 minute and 14 seconds behind.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports event without any political implications. The focus is solely on the cycling race, the performance of athletes, and race results. There is no mention of political figures, policies, or societal issues, making the subject apolitical.




