Pogacar closes in on record-equaling fifth Tour de France title as Carapaz wins penultimate stage - NBC Sports

What the report says

NBCSports.com, carrying an Associated Press report, says Tadej Pogacar is on the verge of a fifth Tour de France championship after completing Saturday’s penultimate stage without losing meaningful time. The Slovenian rider will enter Sunday’s ceremonial Paris finish with an advantage of about 6 minutes, 30 seconds over Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel.

If Pogacar avoids trouble on the final day, he would match the men’s record of five Tour victories, joining Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault. The report noted that Pogacar did not repeat the aggressive racing he showed in winning Friday’s 19th stage, instead focusing on protecting his overall lead and helping UAE Team Emirates XRG teammate Isaac Del Toro hold third place in the standings. Del Toro is reported to be more than two minutes ahead of France’s Paul Seixas.

Richard Carapaz won Stage 20, his second stage victory in this year’s race and third Tour stage win overall. The Ecuadorian, who was also riding to secure the polka-dot jersey for best climber, passed American Sepp Kuss late after Kuss nearly crashed on a downhill turn close to the finish. Evenepoel also moved by Kuss near the line to finish second.

The 171-kilometer Alpine stage from Le Bourg d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez featured some of the race’s toughest climbing, including Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Galibier and Col de Sarenne, plus the Col du Télégraphe. The stage effectively left Pogacar with only the traditional final ride into Paris between him and a place alongside cycling’s most decorated Tour champions.