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.”
Carapaz’s plans
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.
Beautiful images from the 2025 Giro d’Italia with Carapaz and Del Toro
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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Mi amor por ti existe desde que tengo memoria y perdurará hasta que mi existencia vuelva a unirse con la tuya. TE AMO, MAMITA 🤍 28/01/2026 🕊️
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