Carapaz "can win two Grand Tours in the same year" according to coach Artetxe

The third season in which Richard Carapaz is racing in the colours of INEOS Grenadiers will see his return to the Grand Tour in which he's experienced the most success. Richard Carapaz is riding the Giro-Vuelta double this year, and ambitions are very high in the team regarding his goals.

Team coach Xabier Artetxe has told local news outlet Primicias that "Richard has the ambicious goal of getting two Grand Tours in the same year. He's in the best moment of his career and he was the Giro [d'italia] and Vuelta [a España]."

With a lineup that is expected to include Richie Porte, Pavel Sivakov and Tao Geoghegan Hart, there will be plenty support when the race is to be decided. However, Artetxe focuses in the bigger picture, which is to have Carapaz himself perform at the very best level possible: "To be able to do that you have to plan the fitness peaks and you have to aim to catch the big fish. It is not unreasonable to think that Richard can win two Grand Tours in the same year. He's a leader... Ever since he arrived he demonstrated a special character. He's a person who is very respected within the team, not only because of his quality, but the way he acts," he said.

"He doesn't save a gram of power, he always gives everything for himself and his teammates and that's what his admired in him," he concluded. This comes in a time where the Ecuadorian is finishing up his preparation for the Giro, which he won back in 2019. The route, with little time-trialing kilometers and several high-mountain stages, will suit him relatively well and he is widely regarded as one of the main favourites.