Richard Carapaz aims to conclude 2023 on high note at Il Lombardia

After missing out on the Vuelta a Espana due to his kneecap injury, Richard Carapaz will rethink his focus in the final part of the year where his new target is Il Lombardia. He hopes to excel there by having more room to resume his form.

According to what he told the local newspaper, Primicias, an inflammation in a tendon delayed his recovery and therefore made his presence in the Spanish grand tour unfeasible. He is now in a "build up and intensity" stage as he continues training in his country, where he will stay for two more weeks before flying to Europe.

'Richie' will appear in all the autumn classics, which means that he will have appointments in Toscana, Sabatini, Emilia or Tre Valli Varesine. He will also travel to China, so in theory he would ride the Tour de Guangxi to conclude his 2023 season.

The only record of Carapaz in the autumn monumental classic dates from 2020, where on the unusual date of August, he finished 13th without having much relevance. With a more focused emphasis on finding his peak for such an event, that he adapts to his conditions, the result should be much better.