Narváez pulls out of Worlds - ‘Course does not align with his abilities’

The Ecuadorian cycling federation confirmed his absence in a statement on Wednesday. “Jhonatan Narváez has, in consultation with his team, decided not to participate in the World Championships,” it read. “The decision is based on the nature of the course, which is designed for climbers and does not fully align with his abilities.”

It is a reasoning that will raise eyebrows among fans. The 27-year-old proved in July that he is far more than a rouleur. He climbed with the best on the steepest Alpine ascents, helping to shape the race while finishing 13th overall. 

In addition, he added a stage win at the Deutschland Tour and placed 11th in Montréal, underlining his late-season form. Rwanda’s circuit, dotted with repeated short climbs around Kigali, might seem tailor-made for a rider of his punchy profile.

Instead, Ecuador turns once more to Richard Carapaz. The Olympic champion of Tokyo remains the country’s reference point on the world stage. Questions inevitably return to Paris 2024, when Ecuador was permitted just a single Olympic starter and Carapaz was controversially left out in favour of Narváez, who had collected more UCI points. Carapaz vented his frustration publicly, while Narváez defended the federation’s process but admitted disappointment in his teammate’s reaction.

Whether that rift has resurfaced is open to interpretation, but the timing of Narváez’s withdrawal inevitably invites speculation.

What is clear is that Carapaz will stand alone in Kigali, flanked only by Jonathan Caicedo and Harold Martín López, as Ecuador’s hopes of a rainbow jersey rest squarely on his shoulders.