The emotional scene on Alpe d’Huez was telling, as Valentin Paret-Peintre sat dejected, mourning the loss of his polka-dot jersey. For France, without a stage winner for the first time since 1999, the King of the Mountains title was one of the last hopes to bring pride to Paris.

For many fans, the mountains classification is endearing, but it has rarely been the most prestigious jersey. It often serves as filler during broadcasts. In recent years, the yellow jersey winners frequently claimed it, such as Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, illustrating its secondary status.

This year, Richard Carapaz, a surprise participant, claimed victory in the mountains classification. Originally focused on the Giro d’Italia, an injury forced him to shift his attention to the Tour de France. Fully recovered, Carapaz aggressively pursued stage wins and the polka-dot jersey.

As Pogačar dominated the yellow jersey early in the race, the contest for the polka dot and other jerseys provided excitement. The real battle unfolded in the closing stages, showcasing the fight for the polka-dot, white, and green jerseys.

It’s been incredible this year, beamed Carapaz, reflecting on his accomplishment. There have been many interests, making the race harder.

Meanwhile, Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek aimed for the green jersey. His team strategized around intermediate sprints to outscore faster sprinters. Though lacking speed in finishes, Pedersen capitalized on his climbing ability, securing enough points to edge out rivals and claim victory.

Pedersen’s efforts included fending off Tim Merlier and Jasper Philipsen, emphasizing his versatile skills. Critics debated whether his sprinting ability merited the jersey, but his strategic racing proved decisive. Pedersen became a worthy successor to Peter Sagan’s legacy.

In the white jersey battle, Isaac Del Toro and Paul Seixas engaged in a thrilling contest. Del Toro, under pressure, overcame his ailments to claim the jersey. Seixas, though temporarily holding the lead, fell short after an exhausting encounter on the Col du Galibier.

Seixas’s performance, despite falling short, marked him as a future contender. His reflection on the event might be bittersweet, but the experience will be invaluable.

In the final stages, Carapaz displayed relentless aggression. Despite relinquishing a chance at Alpe d’Huez, his bold strategies earned him the King of the Mountains award. His approach exemplified a preference for stage wins over general classification rankings.

The Tour showcased excitement, with minor classification duels captivating fans. Richard Carapaz’s strategy and determination embodied the spirit of cycling, making this edition’s narrative especially compelling.