Richard Carapaz: "At the moment we have the Giro and that is the plan we will follow"

In an interview in the opening day of the Tour de la Provence, Richard Carapaz has closed the door on the rumours that he would be steering off the path of the Giro d'Italia.

"I'm not at 100%, but these races are important towards the main goal," Carapaz said after the initial prologue of the Tour de la Provence. After a brilliant performance in the crosswinds the following day, the Equatorian was faced with yet more bad news as he tested positive for Covid-19 and had to abandon the competition, a week after he had to do the same in Etoile de Bessèges after a crash.

After Egan Bernal's accident in late January, it was rumoured that the team's plans regarding the Grand Tours could change and Carapaz would be heading the Tour de France squad. However, those rumours ended up incorrect, as Carapaz confirmed himself: "At the moment we have the Giro and that is the plan we will follow. We're focused in going to the Giro in good form and as best as possible".

It is too early to tell what the Equatorian's plans will be in the next couple of months. His start of the season has been far from ideal, he is scheduled to be at Tirreno-Adriatico and Volta a Catalunya before the Grande Partenza but the plans may change after this set of setbacks.