The Ecuadorian accepts that the Slovenian is the rider to beat, but refuses to begin the Vuelta believing that the outcome has already been decided.
MONACO.— Richard Carapaz will start the Vuelta a España convinced that he has the form required to challenge Tadej Pogačar for the red jersey. The EF Education–EasyPost leader recognizes the enormous difficulty of defeating cycling’s dominant rider, yet insists that his preparation and recent performances justify an ambitious approach. For Carapaz, the race must be contested on the road rather than decided by predictions.
The Ecuadorian arrives after an impressive Tour de France, where he claimed two stage victories and secured the mountains classification. Those results restored his confidence following a season disrupted by health problems and forced changes to his racing schedule. His aggressive style could become particularly valuable across a Vuelta route filled with summit finishes and opportunities for long-range attacks.
Carapaz will nevertheless compete with a weakened support structure after injuries ruled several important EF riders out of the event. Neilson Powless and Harry Sweeny are among the absentees, leaving younger teammates with greater responsibilities during the decisive mountain stages. The 2020 Vuelta runner-up believes motivation and collective commitment can partially compensate for those losses.
Pogačar remains the overwhelming favorite as he attempts to win the only Grand Tour missing from his record, but Carapaz understands how quickly a three-week race can change. Crashes, difficult weather, accumulated fatigue and tactical mistakes can transform the general classification on almost any stage. Carapaz may not possess Pogačar’s aura of invincibility, but he enters the Vuelta with something equally dangerous: the conviction that the red jersey remains within reach.
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