Tadej Pogacar is poised to secure a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title in Paris on Sunday, following stage 20 on the iconic Alpe d’Huez climb, which saw Richard Carapaz claim victory after a dramatic finish. The 171-kilometer stage from Le Bourg d’Oisans included multiple challenging ascents, culminating in a decisive performance that further cemented Pogacar’s dominant position.

Pogacar had previously set a new record time up Alpe d’Huez on Friday, extending his overall lead significantly. On Saturday, he allowed his nearest challenger, Remco Evenepoel, to gain 39 seconds but still holds a commanding lead of six minutes and 26 seconds heading into the shortened final stage into Paris. Rather than pursuing another stage win, Pogacar focused on supporting his teammate Isaac del Toro in the battle for the final podium spot and the white jersey awarded to the best young rider. Del Toro successfully distanced French teenager Paul Seixas on the Col de Sarenne, fulfilling their goal.

Carapaz, riding aggressively from the outset, joined the breakaway early in the day and maintained the lead over several key climbs, including the Col de la Croix-de-Fer, the Télégraphe, and the Galibier—the highest point in this year’s Tour. This performance secured Carapaz the king of the mountains classification. On the final ascent past Sarenne and up Alpe d’Huez, Carapaz overtook Jai Hindley in the closing kilometers. He also took advantage of two crashes involving Sepp Kuss, the latter a frightening tumble where he was halted by netting on a hairpin bend, escaping serious injury.

Carapaz’s victory marked his second stage win of the week, having previously triumphed at Orcieres-Merlette on Thursday. The Ecuadorian described his effort as an intense battle for the polka-dot jersey and called the experience “a dream Tour.” Kuss, despite his crashes, managed to finish third on the stage, while Evenepoel edged him for second place.

With this upcoming victory, Pogacar will join Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain as the only male riders to have won five editions of the Tour de France. Reflecting on his role during Saturday’s stage, Pogacar expressed newfound admiration for his teammates’ efforts throughout the three-week race.

Sunday’s final stage was shortened from 133 kilometers to 89 kilometers due to emergency services being redirected to combat wildfires near Bordeaux in southwest France. The revised route will proceed directly from Thoiry to central Paris, where the riders will complete two additional laps of the Champs-Élysées circuit before the race concludes.