Richard Carapaz Ecuadorian professional road cyclist Date of Birth: 20.05.1993 Country: Ecuador

Content:

1. Ecuadorian Cyclist Makes History
2. Professional Career
3. 2017:
4. 2018:
5. 2019:
6. Team Ineos (2020-Present)
7. 2021:

Ecuadorian Cyclist Makes History

Early Life and Introduction to Cycling

Richard Carapaz, an Ecuadorian professional road cyclist, was born in El Carmelo, Tulcán. During his school days, his mentor was former Olympic cyclist Juan Carlos Rosero, who founded the school's cycling club. This club has produced several other professional riders, including Jonathan Narváez and Jonathan Caicedo. Before pursuing cycling, Carapaz competed as a runner in his school.

Professional Career

Team Movistar (2016-2019)
2016:

- Joined Team Movistar as a stagiaire, transitioning to a professional contract in 2017.

2017:

- Debuted in a Grand Tour at the Vuelta a España, finishing 36th overall.

2018:

- Achieved first professional victories with stage and overall wins at the Vuelta a Asturias.

- Became the first Ecuadorian to win a Grand Tour stage at the Giro d'Italia, finishing the race in fourth place overall.

2019:

- Won the Vuelta a Asturias again.
- Triumphantly claimed the Giro d'Italia 2019:

- Took early lead by winning the fourth stage following a crash that split the peloton.

- Attacked on the 13th stage, gaining a significant advantage over favorites Vincenzo Nibali and Primož Roglič.

- Distanced Roglič on the 14th stage to take the overall lead and defend it until the end, becoming the first Ecuadorian to win a Grand Tour and the second South American after Nairo Quintana.

Team Ineos (2020-Present)

2020:
- Joined Team Ineos in 2020.
- Won the third stage of the Tour de Pologne in August.

- Finished second in the mountains classification of the Tour de France.

- Contended for the overall victory at the Vuelta a España, trading the leader's jersey multiple times with rival Primož Roglič but ultimately placing second.

2021:

- Secured his first victory of the season at the Tour de Suisse, claiming both the fifth stage and the overall classification.

- Served as one of four potential general classification contenders for Team Ineos Grenadiers in the Tour de France, eventually finishing third overall.

- Claimed the Olympic gold medal in the road race, besting the field by over a minute after initially following an attack by Brandon McNulty.

Cycling

Bethany Shriever	Wout Van Aert	Federico Bahamontes
Valentino Rossi	Octave Lapize	Robert Gesink