Richard Carapaz Debuts in Vuelta a España; All About Stage 1

Ecuadorian cyclist Richard Carapaz is set to make his debut in the Vuelta a España on Saturday, August 22, 2026, marking his seventh appearance in the Spanish Grand Tour. The race commences with a challenging 9.4-kilometer individual time trial through the streets of Monaco.

Carapaz, leading the EF Education-EasyPost team, is scheduled to start at 09:46 Ecuador time (16:46 in Monaco), according to the official start list. He will be the thirtieth rider to depart. This opening stage is crucial as Carapaz aims to position himself among the top contenders for the overall general classification.

The time trial route begins at the Place du Casino, near the iconic Monte Carlo Casino, and concludes on Boulevard Albert 1er, a section familiar from the Formula 1 Grand Prix finish line. The course features tight turns, roundabouts, tunnels, and changes in pace, traversing well-known Monegasque landmarks including the Larvotto sector and the area around the Louis II stadium.

This 21-stage race, spanning 3,275 kilometers, will conclude in Granada on September 13. The route includes four undulating stages, one undulating stage with a mountain finish, four flat stages, four medium-mountain stages, and six mountain stages, in addition to the two individual time trials and two rest days. Organizers highlight that the race features over 58,000 meters of cumulative elevation gain, a profile that could favor climbers like Carapaz.