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🇪🇨 Ecuador /Sports

Richard Carapaz issues a warning at the Vuelta: “It is an opportunity”

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Ecuadorian rider Richard Carapaz sits fifth overall after nine stages, 3 minutes and 26 seconds behind leader Enric Mas.
  • Carapaz said he intends to attack his opportunities day by day, with the 184.7-kilometer 10th stage featuring three third-category climbs.
  • The Vuelta a España is scheduled to finish on Sept. 13.

Richard Carapaz believes the fight for the Vuelta a España podium remains open. The Ecuadorian enters Stage 10 in fifth place overall, 3 minutes and 26 seconds behind race leader Enric Mas.

It has been a beautiful Vuelta, we have made a beautiful start.

— Richard CarapazHe assessed the race during the rest day.

Speaking during the race’s rest day on the official Vuelta podcast, Carapaz described the opening of the 2026 competition as a positive one. “It has been a beautiful Vuelta, we have made a beautiful start,” he said.

The rider also emphasized the demanding nature of the race and his preference for an aggressive style. “I am a rider who likes to battle, who likes to always be there and also, in a way, go against the current. The truth is, I am enjoying it right now,” Carapaz said.

I am a rider who likes to battle, who likes to always be there and also, in a way, go against the current. The truth is, I am enjoying it right now.

— Richard CarapazHe described his competitive style and current mindset.

Carapaz, who became a professional cyclist in Spain, said fans in Ecuador and elsewhere connect with the way he races. “There are many followers who identify with the way I put on a show. In the end, it is my own style, going a little more by instinct than by the numbers during the race, and people like that,” he said. He added that modern racing is more calculated and systematic, while his approach recalls earlier eras when riders attacked from farther out.

There are many followers who identify with the way I put on a show. In the end, it is my own style, going a little more by instinct than by the numbers during the race, and people like that.

— Richard CarapazHe explained why fans connect with his racing approach.

Carapaz moved up one place in the general classification after finishing ninth in Stage 9. Stage 10 covers 184.7 kilometers from Alcaraz to Elche de la Sierra and includes 2,991 meters of climbing. Its three third-category passes could favor breakaways. “It is an opportunity. You have to take it day by day. There are still a lot of meters left,” Carapaz said.

It is an opportunity. You have to take it day by day. There are still a lot of meters left.

— Richard CarapazHe discussed his remaining chance to challenge for the podium.
About this summary

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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