Kwiatkowski claims stage 18 as Ineos Grenadiers make up for Bernal blow

Michal Kwiatkowski won stage 18 of the Tour de France yesterday and Richard Carapaz moved into the polka dot jersey as the Ineos Grenadiers salvaged something from their race following the withdrawal of Egan Bernal.

Primoz Roglic retained the yellow jersey and his 57-second advantage over fellow Slovenian Tadej Pogacar in the general classification but the day belonged to Ineos, with Kwiatkowski and Carapaz the final two survivors of a 32-man breakaway on the 175km stage from Meribel to La Roche-sur-Foron.

They approached the finale deep in conversation, patting each on the back under the flamme rouge before crossing the line arm-in-arm, Kwiatkowski’s wheel just in front to give the former world champion an emotional first Grand Tour stage win which he dedicated to the late sports director Nico Portal.

Ineos needed something since Bernal’s title defence ended in his withdrawal on Wednesday morning with a back injury.

That only added to the emotions for the popular Kwiatkowski, who has sacrificed his considerable talents in the service of others for several years but got his reward here.

“That was some day,” the 30-year-old Pole said. “I can’t describe how grateful I am to the whole team and to Richard. It was an incredible day for us and I will never forget that.”

Miguel Angel Lopez remains third and Richie Porte recovered from a puncture at the summit of the last hors categorie climb of the Tour – the Montee du Plateau des Glieres – to cling on to his fourth place, on course for a best career Tour finish in what stands to be his last entry as a team leader.

However, Adam Yates lost touch with the yellow jersey group on the final climb and dropped back to seventh overall.