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Sprinting Up the Grand Ballon TdF26-95
Both Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-Quick Step) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) had gotten into the breakaway with the sole purpose of earning as many King of the Mountain points as possible. As they neared the summit of the Grand Ballon they sprinted against each other in hopes of getting the maximum points for themselves. As the throngs of cycling fans cheered them on, it was Paret-Peintre who went over the Category 1 climb first. Clearly, Carapaz was second over the top. Once they had collected the points, they rejoined their breakaway companions working together to stay away from the peloton just a minute-and-a-half behind. If either goes over the next three climbs first they will be the new King of the Mountains thus wearing the Maillot a Pois to start Stage 15.