Olympic Champion Carapaz Withdraws From Vuelta, Focuses On World Championships

Richard Carapaz will miss the 2025 Vuelta a España as he continues to recover from a gastrointestinal illness that also forced him to withdraw from the Tour de France. The illness has caused a stop-start recovery, limiting his ability to train consistently, although he is now almost fully recovered. Carapaz, who finished third at the Giro d'Italia and is a stage winner at all three Grand Tours, has shifted his focus to preparing for the World Championships in Rwanda and the Italian classic Il Lombardia. He has returned to Ecuador for altitude training and to regain his motivation, aiming to make the most of favorable conditions ahead of these important races. The World Championships, held in Kigali for the first time in Africa, represent a special opportunity for Carapaz. His absence from the Vuelta changes the dynamics for his EF Education-EasyPost team, which will now rely more on riders like Ben Healy.