Carapaz throws everything at Vuelta podium in brutal final mountain raid: ‘We did what we had to do’

Richard Carapaz could hardly have tried much more.

The EF Education-EasyPost leader spent much of stage 20 of the Vuelta a España on the offensive, repeatedly testing Felix Gall as he looked to overturn his deficit to the Austrian and force his way onto the final podium.

It did not work. Gall answered Carapaz every time and eventually turned defence into attack on the final ascent of Collado del Alguacil, doing enough to secure third place overall behind Enric Mas and Primož Roglič.

Carapaz, however, had few regrets after crossing the line.

“We had nothing to lose,” Carapaz said. “In the end, we tried. The team did a great job and I leave happy.”

The Ecuadorian had started his assault almost 100 kilometres from the finish on the first ascent of Puerto de El Purche, accelerating sharply from the group of favourites and forcing Mas, Gall and Roglič to react.

It was only the beginning.

Carapaz attacked again when the race returned to El Purche and continued to apply pressure on El Duque, where EF teammate Juan Rodríguez dropped back from the break to help set up another series of moves.

Each time, however, Gall was waiting. With Mas primarily concerned with defending the red jersey and Roglič protecting second place, the duel between Carapaz and Gall became one of the defining battles of the penultimate stage.

Carapaz suggested Mas understood that his attacks were aimed at the podium rather than the red jersey.

“I think he knew we weren’t a danger to him,” Carapaz said. “We were looking for our own opportunities.”

The Ecuadorian was satisfied that he and EF had done everything they could.

“I think we did what we had to do,” Carapaz said. “I’m very happy with what we showed today.”

There was also praise for the work of his young teammate Rodríguez, who repeatedly helped launch Carapaz back onto the offensive.

“He is improving a lot and I’m very happy for him,” Carapaz said. “He is becoming a very good rider.”

For all EF’s aggression, Gall ultimately had the stronger finish. The Austrian attacked on Collado del Alguacil and finally opened a gap on Carapaz, extinguishing the Ecuadorian’s last hope of reaching the Vuelta podium.

Gall’s ride secured third overall and a second Grand Tour podium of the season, after finishing runner up at the Giro d’Italia.

Carapaz, meanwhile, could at least leave with the satisfaction of having thrown everything at the race.

On the race’s hardest day, with little left to protect, he raced exactly as promised: as if there was nothing to lose.