Richard Carapaz's Historic Victory
Richard Carapaz made history on the 17th stage of the 2024 Tour de France by securing Ecuador's first-ever stage victory in the Grande Boucle. The EF Education-EasyPost climber showcased his prowess on the Col du Noyer, catching up with Simon Yates and distancing himself on the descent. Carapaz's triumph is a significant milestone, adding to his impressive career, which includes three stage wins in both the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España. "Winning a stage on the Tour means a lot; it's the biggest competition in the world," Carapaz expressed with pride.
Intense Battle Among Top Contenders
The 17th stage was marked by fierce competition among the top riders. Remco Evenepoel, who had never finished ahead of Jonas Vingegaard or Tadej Pogacar in a stage before, made a bold move by attacking in the final kilometers, regaining around ten seconds. Meanwhile, Pogacar, known for his relentless attacks, launched an offensive in the Col du Noyer, gaining a brief lead before being reeled in on the descent. Despite Vingegaard's struggles to keep up, he managed to limit his losses, thanks to support from his teammate Christophe Laporte. The stage also saw notable performances from Simon Yates and Enric Mas, who finished second and third, respectively.
The French riders, including Romain Grégoire, Valentin Madouas, and Guillaume Martin, faced disappointment as their hopes for a victory were dashed by the increased tempo set by Yates and Carapaz. Martin acknowledged Carapaz's well-deserved win, highlighting the Ecuadorian's strategic advantage of being in the chasing group. The stage's challenging route, featuring climbs like the Col Bayard and the Col du Noyer, tested the riders' endurance and tactics, setting the stage for the decisive final days of the Tour.
