Richard Carapaz Withdraws from Vuelta a España, Eyes World Championships

Ecuadorian cyclist Richard Carapaz has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Vuelta a España as he continues to recover from a gastrointestinal illness. The former Olympic champion made the announcement on Tuesday, emphasizing his focus on regaining full fitness before the world championships.

Carapaz, who placed second in the 2020 Vuelta, has struggled with the same illness that forced him to miss this year’s Tour de France. He has not competed since finishing third overall at the Giro d’Italia in May. In a statement released by his team, EF Education-EasyPost, Carapaz described the challenges he faced during recovery.

“I had to stop several times as I couldn’t train for more than two or three days at a time,” Carapaz said. “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.”

Shifting Focus to World Championships

With the Vuelta no longer on his calendar, Carapaz has shifted his attention towards the world championships scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, starting on September 21, 2023. This event marks a significant milestone, as it will be the first time the championships have been held in Africa.

Carapaz expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming competition, stating, “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.” He also highlighted his intention to compete in the Italian classics following the world championships, with a particular focus on Il Lombardia.

The cyclist’s commitment to his training and preparation underscores his determination to return to peak form. As he navigates this challenging recovery phase, Carapaz remains optimistic about his prospects on the international cycling stage.

As the Vuelta a España approaches, Carapaz’s absence will be felt in the peloton, but his fans and the cycling community will be watching closely as he aims for success in Rwanda later this month.