Richard Carapaz Believes La Vuelta Will Unfold Differently Without Vingegaard, Pogacar, and Evenepoel, and Sees Opportunity in Their Absence

Richard Carapaz Confident of His Chances at La Vuelta Without Vingegaard, Pogacar, and Evenepoel

With Tadej Pogacar dominating the first two Grand Tours of the 2024 season, the upcoming Vuelta a España is shaping up to be a much more open race, offering several contenders a shot at the Red Jersey. Among those is EF Education-EasyPost leader, Richard Carapaz.

In addition to Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel will also be absent from the race, while the form of the fourth member of the ‘Big 4,’ Primoz Roglic, remains uncertain after his crash during the Tour de France earlier this summer. Carapaz acknowledged during his pre-Vuelta a España press conference that “Without Vingegaard, Pogacar & Evenepoel, La Vuelta will develop in a different way.”

Despite Roglic entering the race as the pre-race favorite, Carapaz is no stranger to competing against him in Grand Tours. Reflecting on their past rivalry, particularly in the 2020 edition of La Vuelta where Roglic ultimately claimed victory, Carapaz noted, “It’s been a few years, but it was a very nice duel that was marked by the fight for La Roja in which he was the winner in the end. There were many attacks and many changes of leader.”

While Carapaz has yet to win the Red Jersey, his achievements in La Vuelta include three stage wins, a King of the Mountains classification win, and a second-place finish in 2020, making the race one he is eager to return to. “The Vuelta brings back good memories,” the 31-year-old said. “I’m very excited to be here. I’ve raced a lot in Spain.”

The 2024 Vuelta a España will also be a significant event for Carapaz’s fellow South American cycling veteran, Rigoberto Uran, who will be competing in his final Grand Tour at the age of 37. Carapaz expressed his admiration for Uran, stating, “He will be quite important due to his great experience and having competed in many Grand Tours. I admire him as a professional and for his great performances.”