There were good chances that bad news would emerge from the EF Education-EasyPost camp after today's opening stage of the Tour de France and the worst has happened. Richard Carapaz has abandoned the race following the diagnosis of a fractured kneecap.
The Ecuadorian had focused on the Tour as one of his main goals of the season and came in as team leader. He was involved in a crash with Enric Mas which has now led to the abandon of both, although the Olympic champion made it to the finish line. EF Education-EasyPost has lost all it's GC ambition as Esteban Chaves and Rigoberto Urán also shed time, but Neilson Powless has taken on the KOM jersey.
Richard Carapaz will not start stage 2 of the Tour de France after an ultrasound scan revealed a small fracture in his left kneecap. He also needed three stitches to close the cut on the same knee. Richard suffered no other injuries in the crash and will return home to begin his…
