Richard Carapaz's Triumph: First Tour de France Stage Win

Richard Carapaz marked a milestone by winning his first Tour de France stage after demonstrating exceptional climbing skills during the challenging ascents in the Alps.

Two-time champion Tadej Pogacar retained his overall race lead. The 178-kilometer 17th stage began with a gradual climb from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Superdévoluy, covering 130 kilometers through the Drôme region without major challenges for the peloton. The race then intensified with the tough climbs of Col Bayard and Col du Noyer.

Carapaz, alongside Simon Yates, led an initial breakaway of 50 riders. On the final climb, Carapaz launched a decisive attack, distancing himself from Yates before reaching the summit of Col du Noyer.

“Today is very special for me,” stated the EF Education-EasyPost rider post-race. “Securing a stage victory was the main goal for my team and me, and we achieved it.” His triumph makes him the first Ecuadorian to win a Tour stage, adding to his gold medal in the men's road race at the Tokyo Olympics. Carapaz previously finished third in the Tour de France in 2021 and won the 2019 Giro d'Italia.

Simon Yates finished 37 seconds behind Carapaz. Pogacar slightly extended his lead over Jonas Vingegaard to 3 minutes, 11 seconds with two attacks on the Col du Noyer and a final sprint to the finish line. Vingegaard, second in the general classification, couldn't keep up with Pogacar's pace, losing two more seconds overall.

“The climb was steep today, so I wanted to test my legs in this third week of competition,” Pogacar explained about his attacks on Col du Noyer. “It was a good day.” Biniam Girmay retained the best sprinter's green jersey.

(With inputs from agencies.)