"This has to be a Vuelta of staying there, resisting" - Richard Carapaz hanging in there but admits Enric Mas’s dominance
Cycling
Richard Carapaz ceded time again at the Vuelta a España 2026 after stage 14, finishing at La Pandera. The Ecuadorian could not follow Enric Mas on the final climb and watched the Movistar Team leader extend his overall lead further. Even so, Carapaz reports good sensations and heads into the final week with confidence.
The EF Education-EasyPost rider believes his situation differs from previous editions of the Vuelta and says he is feeling better by the day.
Carapaz compared how he felt at La Pandera then and now at this edition of the Vuelta. “This year was very different to the year I arrived here before. Little by little, with good sensations, I tried once,” the Ecuadorian explained.
Although he could not match Enric Mas’s pace, Carapaz was satisfied with his performance on one of the toughest days of this second week. “Very happy with the performance, and we’re taking it step by step.”
The EF Education-EasyPost rider now aims to keep managing his efforts and reach the final week in the best possible condition.
Enric Mas
Carapaz feels good before the final week
With the second week almost done, Carapaz says the accumulated fatigue is not taking a toll yet.
“Honestly, pretty good,” he replied when asked how he felt before tackling the last week.
The Ecuadorian has focused closely on recovery during these racing days.
“Day by day I’ve been trying to recover in the best way, and I’m not really feeling it.”
His strategy from the start of the Vuelta was clear: endure, manage the effort, and wait to see what happens in the finale of the race.
“In the end, as I said at the start, this has to be a Vuelta of staying there, resisting. I think we’re going day by day and I’m happy with everything, with the team and everything.”
“We’re all very evenly matched”
Carapaz also analysed the landscape among the general classification contenders. After 14 stages, the Ecuadorian believes gaps between several favourites remain small. “In the end I think we’re all very evenly matched,” he noted.
However, he does single out one rider currently a step ahead. “I think Enric is a bit above the rest.”
That verdict comes after Mas opened gaps again on a summit finish. The Movistar Team leader is steadily increasing his advantage and has shown great strength in recent days.
“There’s still a pretty tough week to go”
Despite acknowledging Enric Mas’s current superiority, Carapaz does not consider the battle for the overall settled. The Ecuadorian knows there are still demanding stages to come and that the picture can change in the final week.
“There’s still a pretty tough week to go,” he reminded. That is why his approach remains the same: move forward day by day and avoid spending more energy than necessary. “I think we have to go step by step to the end of this Vuelta.”
Carapaz leaves La Pandera with fewer options than Enric Mas in the general classification, but with his confidence intact. The Movistar leader has been the strongest so far, something even his rivals now acknowledge, but the last week can still change a lot.
Jorge BorregueroWriter
Jorge Borreguero is a journalist with a degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and has been a writer for Cyclinguptodate and Ciclismoaldia since early 2023. In this role, he has played a key part in the evolution of the website, particularly as a specialist covering Movistar Team. He regularly writes race reports, analytical pieces, and in-depth features about the team, and has conducted exclusive interviews and attended multiple team presentations, providing readers with firsthand insights into one of the leading professional cycling squads.
Throughout his career, Jorge has maintained a strong focus on sports journalism, gaining experience across a variety of disciplines, including basketball and football. However, his current work is almost entirely dedicated to cycling, contributing extensively to Ciclismoaldia and its sister website Cyclinguptodate. For these platforms, he combines thorough research with detailed reporting to deliver high-quality content, ranging from race previews and results to expert analysis of teams and riders.
Jorge’s reporting is marked by accuracy, depth, and a commitment to providing readers with reliable and authoritative information. His direct engagement with teams, athletes, and events ensures that his coverage reflects firsthand knowledge and professional insight. Through his work, he has established himself as a trusted voice in professional cycling journalism, bridging the gap between the sport and its global audience while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
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