Today’s hilly stage did not change the overall standings. In the first of the five climbs, a large group of 36 riders formed, which gradually increased their lead and thinned out in the individual climbs until the final one, with only 28 riders left. At the end of the last categorized climb, 40 km before the finish, Michał Kwiatkowski broke away, and that was the decisive moment of the stage. The Pole was joined by local riders Vercher and Campenaerts, and their initially small lead in the gradual climb slightly increased, with the chasing group unable to catch up. In the sprint, Belgian Victor Campenaerts claimed his first stage win at this year’s Tour for Lotto Dstny.
Team Standings:
1. UAE Emirates 224:41:24
2. Visma | Lease a Bike +27:57
3. INEOS Grenadiers +52:14
4. Soudal Quick-Step +59:21
5. Lidl-Trek +1:29:03
Under 25 Riders Standings (White Jersey):
1. Remco Evenepoel (BEL) Soudal-Quick Step 74:50:36
2. Carlos Rodríguez (ESP) INEOS Grenadiers +8:21
3. Santiago Buitrago (ECU) Bahrain Victorious +13:26
4. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) Visma | Lease a Bike +17:09
5. Ben Healy (IRL) EF Education-Easy Post +37:13
King of the Mountains Standings (Polka Dot Jersey):
1. Tadej Pogačar (SLO) UAE Emirates 77 points
2. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) Visma | Lease a Bike 58
3. Remco Evenepoel (BEL) Soudal-Quick Step 42
4. Oier Lazkano (ESP) Movistar 41
5. Richard Carapaz (ECU) EF Education-EasyPost 37
Points Classification Standings (Green Jersey):
1. Biniam Girmay (ERI) Intermarché-Wanty 387 points
2. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin-Deceuninck 354
3. Bryan Coquard (FRA) Cofidis 188
4. Anthony Turgis (FRA) TotalEnergies 163
5. Arnaud De Lie (BEL) Lotto Dstny 161
Overall Standings after Stage 18 (Yellow Jersey):
1. Tadej Pogačar (SLO) UAE Emirates 74:45:27
2. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) Visma | Lease a Bike +3:11
3. Remco Evenepoel (BEL) Soudal-Quick Step +5:09
4. João Almeida (POR) UAE Emirates +12:57
5. Mikel Landa (ESP) Soudal Quick-Step +13:24
6. Carlos Rodríguez (ESP) INEOS Grenadiers +13:30
7. Adam Yates (GBR) UAE Emirates +15:41
8. Giulio Ciccone (ITA) Lidl-Trek +17:51
9. Derek Gee (CAN) Israel-Premier Tech +18:15
10. Santiago Buitrago (COL) Bahrain Victorious +18:35
…
The stage unfolded with a breakaway forming early on, with Kwiatkowski making a decisive move towards the end. Campenaerts claimed the stage win in a sprint finish. The overall standings remained largely unchanged, with only minor movements among the top riders. The peloton is still to reach the finish line, with potential for further developments in the race.
In conclusion, the stage provided an exciting race with strategic moves and a thrilling finish. The battle for the overall classification continues, with riders showcasing their skills and determination on the challenging terrain. Stay tuned for more updates and action in the upcoming stages of the Tour de France.