2026 Tour de France: American Sepp Kuss nearly crashes off mountain, Richard Carapaz wins Stage 20 as Tadej Pogačar eyes 3rd consecutive trophy

Stage 21 closed the 2026 Tour de France on the iconic Montmartre climb, where a high‑speed sprint awarded the stage win to Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel. The finish line was flanked by a fireworks display, and spectators lined Paris’s avenues as the peloton tackled the steep gradients, culminating in a tightly packed battle for the win. The overall race was shaped by Tadej Pogačar’s consistent dominance, which secured his fifth overall title and matched a historic record, as reported by the BBC, NPR and The Boston Globe.

Outside Magazine highlighted the electrifying nature of Van Der Poel’s climb‑top finish, underscoring the intensity of the final stages. Coverage varies on ancillary events. NBC Sports posed questions about whether Pogačar could eclipse past greats, while the Wall Street Journal framed the event as “terrified” of his presence.

The BBC and NPR focused on the factual record‑equalling fifth title, offering a contrast to the more speculative tones elsewhere. What remains open is whether Pogačar will pursue a third consecutive overall trophy and how Kuss’s near fall might affect his upcoming season. The next edition of the Tour will reveal if the record‑equaling champion can extend his reign and how safety concerns will be addressed moving forward.