Carapaz skips Vuelta to chase new goals

Richard Carapaz, who has been sidelined since his last appearance at the Giro d’Italia, was forced to miss the Tour de France due to gastrointestinal problems. He initially had his sights set on returning at the Vuelta a España, a race where he has enjoyed some of the best results of his career. “After the illness I had, I had to stop several times as I couldn’t train for more than two or three days at a time. Now in Ecuador, I’m trying to get back to normal with training and continue moving forward with what we had planned. I’m almost fully recovered now,” Carapaz said.

Instead, the Ecuadorian has shifted his focus to the closing part of the 2025 season, targeting the World Championships road race in Rwanda on 28 September and the season-ending monument Il Lombardia shortly afterwards. “Now, the next goals we’ve set are the Italian classics, especially Il Lombardia, and also the World Championships in Rwanda,” Carapaz explained. “It’s a very special World Championship for me, where I have a big opportunity, and I want to prepare for it the best way possible. That’s why I came to Ecuador: to do some altitude training, regain motivation, and focus 100 percent. Certain factors play in our favor, and we want to make the most of them.”

Should Carapaz add the rainbow jersey to a palmarès that already includes Olympic gold in Tokyo, a Giro d’Italia victory and the rare grand tour treble of podium finishes, it would further confirm his status as one of the outstanding riders of his generation.