"I love you, Mom": The sad reason why Richard Carapaz is not racing the Challenge Mallorca

Richard Carapaz was set to make his 2026 season debut at the Challenge Mallorca however he was forced to withdraw from the races and delay his season start after the passing of his mother.

The Ecuadorian rider announced on Wednesday the death of his mother, Ana Luisa Montenegro, in the city of Tulcán. The news was shared by Carapaz himself via his account on the social network X, where he expressed his sorrow at the family loss. This explains his absence from the races currently taking place on the Balearic island, where he had been listed among the standout starters.

Carapaz was in Spain to open his European season at the Trofeo Calvià, part of the Challenge Mallorca, the first competitive block in his build-up towards his major goals for the year. However, the personal situation forced the rider to step away from competition.

After the passing of his mother became known, the rider posted a farewell message on his Instagram account, alongside a black-and-white image of him receiving her blessing, with a text expressing their personal and family bond: “My love for you has existed for as long as I can remember and will endure until my existence reunites with yours. I love you, mamita.”

As for his race programme, before this sad news he was scheduled to ride the 63rd Trofeo Laigueglia on the 4th of March, a 201-kilometre route across the hills of Laigueglia and Alassio. In addition, Tirreno–Adriatico, slated for the 9th and 15th of March, is another key race on his plan as part of his build-up towards the Giro d’Italia.