Latest blow for Giro: Former winner Carapaz's participation in jeopardy

Following João Almeida’s (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) announcement on Monday morning that he will miss the upcoming Giro d’Italia, reports have emerged that another GC star could miss out. 

According to Het Laatste Nieuws, former winner Richard Carapaz’s participation in Italy is set to be in serious jeopardy due to setbacks in his preparations this spring. 

The 32-year-old most recently raced at the Volta a Catalunya, which concluded on March 29, where he finished tenth overall. 

Carapaz announced to social media on April 1 that following the race, he underwent successful surgery for a perineal condition, marking an unplanned setback just five weeks before the start of the Giro.

The Ecuadorian star remained positive about his Giro ambitions at the time, stating, "From today, fully focused on recovery and returning to the maximum level in front of the Giro."

Meanwhile, reports on Monday morning from Het Laatste Nieuws indicate that the Giro may come too soon for the former Olympic Champion.

Carapaz has an excellent track record at the Giro ever since winning a stage and finishing fourth on debut back in 2018. 

He returned in 2019 to win two stages and seal his first-ever Grand Tour victory, and narrowly finished second to Jai Hindley in 2022, conceding the maglia rosa to the Australian on the penultimate stage in a tense showdown.

Most recently, Carapaz was one of the key protagonists in the 2025 edition, winning stage 11, and finishing third overall behind Simon Yates and Isaac del Toro, being involved in one of the most memorable penultimate stages in modern cycling. 

There is yet to be an official announcement from EF Education-EasyPost, but if the reports are accurate, this will be the second Grand Tour setback in the space of a year for Carapaz. The Ecuadorian was ruled out of the Tour de France last summer due to a gastrointestinal infection that left him with severe abdominal pain and high fever while training at home in Ecuador. 

With Almeida confirming his absence from the race on Monday morning due to illness, the additional loss of former winner Carapaz would mark another significant blow for the race, which kicks off in less than two weeks.

For the very first time, the Giro will begin in Nessebar, Bulgaria, on May 8, and Jonas Vingegaard, who is set to make his debut at the race, currently headlines the battle for the maglia rosa.