"I think that’s our main and most realistic objective" - Why Richard Carapaz won't look at yellow jersey at Tour de France despite form
Cycling
Richard Carapaz heads to the 2026 Tour de France convinced he arrives in one of his best moments of the season. The EF Education-EasyPost leader said on Friday, during the pre-race press conference in Barcelona, that the work done in recent weeks allows him to approach the three weeks of racing with optimism, while keeping a cautious line on the general classification.
The Olympic champion and 2019 Giro d’Italia winner considers the Tour de Suisse the definitive test to gauge his condition before the big goal of the summer. After an uneven season, marked by highs and lows, the Ecuadorian believes he has rediscovered his best sensations thanks to altitude preparation.
“I think the Tour de Suisse was a real test for me. I’m arriving in very good condition, I’ve spent a lot of time training at altitude in the best possible way and I think all that work is already in our legs. We know our level before starting this Tour,” Carapaz explained in comments to Cyclism'Actu.
The 33-year-old acknowledged that this Tour represents a fresh start after a complicated year, but stressed he lines up with genuine enthusiasm. “It’s been a season with good and bad moments, but in the end we’re here in good condition. I feel good and I’m really keen to start,” he added.
Despite his experience and Grand Tour pedigree, Carapaz avoided setting the fight for yellow as the priority. The EF Education-EasyPost leader expects fierce competition and prefers to focus on a more realistic target from the outset.
“It’s hard to bet everything on the GC”
That was reflected on Saturday's opening team time trial when he seemingly pulled the breaks in the race against the clock - finishing 1:36 down on first yellow jersey Jonas Vingegaard and already considerably distancing himself from the general classification.
“We have a very clear goal: go out and chase a stage win. I think that’s our main and most realistic objective, keeping our feet on the ground,” he said.
Even so, the Ecuadorian does not rule out exploiting any opening that may arise in the general classification as the race unfolds.
“It’s difficult to say right now that we’re going to commit everything to the GC because we know the level of our rivals. But the Tour always offers opportunities and, if one appears, we’ll seize it one hundred percent,” he assured.
With ambition and prudence, Carapaz starts a new Tour de France trusting that his preparation and experience will put him back in the spotlight, either fighting for stages or capitalising on any chance to climb the overall.
Read also
EF Education’s line-up for the 2026 Tour de France
| Dorsal | Rider | Country |
| 41 | Richard Carapaz | Ecuador |
| 42 | Kasper Asgreen | Denmark |
| 43 | Alex Baudin* | France |
| 44 | Ben Healy | Ireland |
| 45 | Sean Quinn | United States |
| 46 | Georg Steinhauser* | Germany |
| 47 | Michael Valgren | Denmark |
| 48 | Max Walker* | United Kingdom |
* competes for the young riders’ classification
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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