Richard Carapaz Sets Sights on World Championships After Illness

Former Olympic gold medalist Richard Carapaz announced on Tuesday that he will not participate in this year's Vuelta a Espana as he continues to recuperate from a lingering illness. The Ecuadorian cyclist, known for his notable second-place finish in the 2020 Vuelta, also missed the Tour de France earlier this year due to the same health issue, which has kept him off the race track since his third-place finish in the Giro d'Italia in May.

Carapaz shared his recovery journey in a statement from the EF Education-EasyPost team, stating, "After the illness I had, I had to stop several times as I couldn't train for more than two or three days at a time." Currently in Ecuador, he is focused on regaining his fitness level and proceeding with planned training activities. "I'm almost fully recovered now," he said with optimism.

The cyclist, who clinched the road race gold medal during the Tokyo Olympics, is now redirecting his efforts towards the world championships in Rwanda. "The next goals we've set are the Italian classics, especially Il Lombardia, and also the world championships in Rwanda," Carapaz noted. The upcoming event in Kigali, commencing on September 21, will be the first of its kind to be hosted on the African continent, presenting a significant opportunity for Carapaz to showcase his skills.