Richard Carapaz criticized a cyclist's attitude after Stage 19 of the Tour de France

Ecuadorian cyclist Richard Carapaz expressed frustration after Stage 19 of the Tour de France, criticizing French rider Lenny Martínez for what he deemed a "discourteous" action in the race's final moments. Carapaz, who finished third on the stage and claimed the lead in the mountains classification, felt that Martínez, who finished second, unnecessarily cut him off on a curve.

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Yes, I was upset at the end because Lenny cut me off on a curve. I think it was a bit discourteous.

"Yes, I was upset at the end because Lenny cut me off on a curve. I think it was a bit discourteous," Carapaz told Eurosport. He emphasized that while finishing second or third didn't significantly alter his own race objectives, such actions violate unwritten rules of respect among cyclists. "There are things that must be respected. That's why I was very angry with him. At the start, he wasn't collaborating, and then he comes and cuts you off on a curve. It was a bad moment," Carapaz added.

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At the end, for me, it didn't change anything to finish second or third, but there are things that must be respected. That's why I was very angry with him. At the start, he wasn't collaborating, and then he comes and cuts you off on a curve. It was a bad moment.

Televised footage showed Carapaz making gestures of complaint after crossing the finish line. Beyond the controversy with Martínez, Carapaz acknowledged the exceptional performance of Tadej Pogačar, who launched a decisive attack in the closing kilometers to win the stage. "We knew Pogačar was coming from behind like a motorcycle. I tried to attack several times to win, but it wasn't enough," Carapaz commented, expressing satisfaction with securing the polka-dot jersey for the mountains classification.

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We knew Pogačar was coming from behind like a motorcycle. I tried to attack several times to win, but it wasn't enough. I am very happy with the jersey of the mountains. There is still a long way to Paris and I will try.

Carapaz explained that he attempted to match Pogačar's pace but found the Slovenian's acceleration too powerful. "We already had a lot of wear on our legs. I tried to follow him, but he made a very strong change of pace, and it was impossible. I ran out of strength and tried to reach the finish line as best I could," he said. He is now focused on defending the polka-dot jersey in the demanding Stage 20, a crucial day for the mountains classification.

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We already had a lot of wear on our legs. I tried to follow him, but he made a very strong change of pace, and it was impossible. I ran out of strength and tried to reach the finish line as best I could.