"Everybody knows Pogacar is the rival to beat" - Richard Carapaz aims to cause chaos at La Vuelta
CyclingFriday, 21 August 2026 at 12:50
Richard Carapaz has faced off against Tadej Pogacat this year already, and he will have to do so once again at the Vuelta a España. The EF Education-EasyPost rider is aiming for the overall classification and is one of the main contenders for the final podium.
A rocky route towards La Vuelta
"Inside the team, we've had a whole load of setbacks, with me one of the main ones to experience them at the start of the season," Carapaz said in a pre-race press release, as reported by Cyclingnews. "I had lots of problems when the year began and I know various teammates are still, as you could put it, screwed".
The Ecuadorian was, at first, meant to race the Giro d'Italia this year. After the Volta a Catalunya, the former Olympic Champion underwent a surgery for a perineal issue, and did not manage to make a return in time to be in form for the Corsa Rosa. He rode to second at the Tour de Suisse, but is form only grew as he raced the Tour de France. A bad day on the Col du Tourmalet saw him abandon GC hopes, but he did accidentally still finish in the Top10.
Carapaz effectively won two of the final three mountain stages and also won the KOM classification, having the most successful Tour he could aim for. Since, he challenged Remco Evenepoel at the Clásica San Sebastián and rode to second place. After some rest, he aims for the GC at the Vuelta a España.
"Neilson [Powless] had a knee problem, Harry [Sweeny] also is injured, Archie [Ryan] too, and Mikkel [Honoré] is in the same situation. These are important losses for our team, we thought we'd have in the Vuelta, and it's not been possible. You can't say we've got a broad base for a Grand Tour".
Richard Carapaz at the 2026 Tour de France
Carapaz goes in on overall classification
Carapaz questioned his ability to challenge for the GC recently due to the team's lack of depth in the mountains. Nevertheless, a block with Georg Steinhauser and Markel Beloki could prove crucial in some of the difficult days.
"But regarding those who are in the Vuelta, they are young and they're very well prepared, which is great for me, because they've got the right kind of mentality, and that's the most important thing of all."
His form as of late has been as high as ever, against competition who have developed under different conditions than him.
"I've maintained my concentration, and my objectives are very clear, not just on a personal level. As a team, too. Up to now I've not fought for a Grand Tour in 2026 as I'd want, but my objective is clear - it's to go for the overall."
His feedback from the post-Tour period has been nothing but positive. "I had a good spell away from racing and then building up for here. I did San Sebastian and then I eased back before getting ready in Andorra, the usual routine".
"The key thing is that I have the legs, and that's the most important part of it all. It's a big challenge, but it's not just the morale. I think I have the condition as well."
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First Vuelta against Pogacar for Carapaz
Tadej Pogacar is the main favourite to win the Vuelta and his debut was in 2019, the year that Carapaz won the Giro d'Italia. In 2021, the two were on the podium of the Tour de France, but the gap has only grown since. "I've just got a lot of respect for him, he's a great rival, the best in the world, and I've not had the chance to fight for a Grand Vuelta against him".
But the 33-year old is focused on what he is able to achieve. "The important thing is to come here and get what we can, not worry about the rest. I know I can count on total support from the team. If we win, great, if we do well [rather than win], then we do well. The important thing is to give it 100 %.
On his main rivals for the podium, a few names popped up: "Everybody knows Pogacar is the rival to beat. We don't know what condition Primoz is in after his fall, and Felix Gall knows how to do a great overall, as well."
"But in any case, the Vuelta is a race can be decided on any day, starting with Font Romeu. You don't just need alliances, you need to have the legs, too."
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- 😂😂anonymouscyclist21-08-2026
- First of all... the GOAT is never boring. Making history just can't be boring. And yes, there can be a big fight for the other podiums. I too would like to see Gall on the podium...he deserves it.PogiSloFans21-08-2026
- maumau-mause... enough of your disoriented philosophy. You're getting tangled up... and deeply involved in a messy, complicated and unpleasant situation, which your grey cells can't manage anymore.PogiSloFans21-08-2026
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