Richard Carapaz wins stage 18 of the Tour de France after a decisive move on the final climb to Orcieres-Merlette. Multiple outlets describe Carapaz breaking away and finishing solo to take the stage victory. Tadej Pogačar retains his overall lead over the rest of the field, but the day brings a major setback for his team. BBC Sport reports the team is disrupted by illness, while France 24 says Brandon McNulty, one of Pogačar’s key teammates, abandons the race. The two accounts align on the outcome for the stage: Carapaz takes first place. They also agree on the broader standings impact: Pogačar does not lose the leader’s position on this stage, despite problems affecting his team. Overall, the reports present stage 18 as a personal triumph for Carapaz and a difficult moment for Pogačar’s squad due to the loss of McNulty and the team’s reduced strength.