Richard Carapaz took the biggest win of his career in the 2021 Olympic Games, taking the gold medal in Tokyo. However despite this, Ecuador was only given one spot for the 2024 event and the reigning champion has not been selected. This has led to a big outrage from Carapaz.
After the start of the Giro d'Italia and with just over two months left to go for the race, the cycling federation has decided to go with Jhonatan Narváez to eye a medal in Paris. The hilly route does suit the INEOS Grenadiers rider better, specially after he beat Tadej Pogacar in the first day of the Giro d'Italia and came extremely close to adding another win last Sunday in Napoli.
It is not an unexpected choice, but Ecuador was put in an extremely difficult decision. Although it is not as suited to him, Carapaz would still stand a chance and is the reigning champion. He will not race the event unless something unusual happens, but has written a message on Twitter directed to the president of the Federation who said that Narváez is the 'best classics rider in the history of South America'.
"Ecuador needs a neutral Federation without favoritism. This President demonstrates day by day with his actions that he does not represent a fair Federation," Carapaz responded. "There are data and statistics that demonstrate something different from what this man mentions."
The EF Education-EasyPost shared several posts in a thread regarding statistics from ProCyclingStats, arguing against Santiago Rosero. This has opened a debate in the nation on which rider should be selected, but mostly a lot of criticism over an apparent bias from Rosero.
Ecuador necesita una Federación neutral y sin favoritismos. Este Presidente demuestra día a día con sus actos que no representa a una Federación justa. Hay datos y estadísticas que demuestran algo diferente a lo que este Sr menciona. ABRO HILO (1/5)👇🏼
