"Ilan chose the right moment to attack" - Richard Carapaz settles for second at Tre Valli Varesine where he finds his best form back

Richard Carapaz had a season somewhat affected by crashes but his form has came just in time for Il Lombardia. Today he put in an impressive performance to race into second at Tre Valli Varesine, only beat by Ilan van Wilder who anticipated the final climb

“The race seemed to end in a sprint with a small group, but Ilan chose the right moment to attack," Carapaz said in a post-race interview. "I honestly didn't see Van Wilder attack, but he immediately made the difference." In the steepest ascent of the final circuit Tadej Pogacar tried to make the difference. The Ecuadorian and Enric Mas attacked afterwards, but as the pace slowed down van Wilder made his move with 9 kilometers to go. Without full collaboration, the chasing group resigned to fight for second.

Carapaz attacked then at the entrance of the final kilometer, he convincingly dropped Tadej Pogacar and no-one then managed to bridge across. Close to his first win in months, but a second place feels good for the EF Education-EasyPost rider after a difficult year. "I am happy with this second place. It is a good result after a long period of building up and recovering.”

With Il Lombardia just days away, the 30-year old positions himself rightfully so as one of the big favourites for the final podium.