Carapaz back in training as Tour de France becomes new focus after Giro absence

The EF Education-EasyPost leader had built the first half of his campaign around a return to the Giro, a race that has defined much of his career. He won the maglia rosa in 2019, finished second in 2022 and was third overall last year, but his 2026 challenge ended before it began after he underwent surgery to remove a perineal cyst.

Carapaz had the procedure on April 29, and although there was initially some hope that he might still recover in time to start the corsa rosa, the wound did not heal quickly enough for him to resume full training. EF ultimately ruled him out of the race, with Carapaz describing the setback as “a complete disappointment.”

Almost a month later, the Ecuadorian’s season has been reset. After 24 days without training, Carapaz is now able to work normally again, and attention has turned firmly towards the Tour de France, which starts in Barcelona this summer.

A race programme has not yet been finalised, but Carapaz is expected to return to competition in June according to Marca. The Tour de Suisse, from June 17 to 21, is one possibility, where he could test himself against Tadej Pogačar. The Route d’Occitanie, from June 18 to 20, is reported as another option under consideration as he looks to rebuild rhythm before the Tour.

The shift in focus gives Carapaz a new target after missing out on the Giro, though it also comes with added significance. He missed the 2025 Tour de France through illness, a gastrointestinal infection forcing him out just days before the start. That absence came a year after one of the strongest Tour performances of his career, when he wore the yellow jersey, won a stage, claimed the mountains classification and was named the race’s super combatif rider.

Carapaz has raced sparingly so far this season, with 16 competition days across the Trofeo Laigueglia, Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico and the Volta a Catalunya. His best result came in Catalunya, where he placed 10th overall before returning to Ecuador for surgery.