The news had been out for a while, however today EF Education-EasyPost have confirmed the signing of Richard Carapaz, a move that both parties were happy with and will see the Ecuadorian race on a one-year contract.
“When you conquer one thing, you want more. I’m one of those people who wants more,” Carapaz said in a press release. “There are still things I haven’t achieved. I’d like to try to win another grand tour. A life goal has always been to win the Tour de France. It’s something I will fight for. I know it’s possible. I know what my potential is and what I can do, what I can achieve, and I’m fighting for this dream".
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He'll be joining compatriots Jonathan Caicedo and Jefferson Alexander Cepeda - the latter likely under an influence from Carapaz himself who had been confirmed to join the American team for months. There are several other riders from South America in the squad, seeing Carapaz continue in a similar program with EF Education.
The news came on the day that the Vuelta a Espana starts, where Carapaz will be leading INEOS Grenadiers with the goal of winning the race. He will only have a one-year contract, but is likely using it to target the Tour de France with full force - as he has in 2021 where he finished third. "I have the focus and want to try to win the Tour de France and I think that’s something we can achieve here together. The team wants to reach for its goals and that’s something really valuable to me," he said.
Although Carapaz has always had the freedom to pursue his own goals at INEOS Grenadiers, with six World-Tour stage wins - including the Olympic Games title - and three Grand Tour podiums, the move has taken place. It is one that leaves some wondering, but Carapaz justifies it: “This is a team with a lot of ambition and many things they want to achieve. I’m a piece that can fit into the team really well. I’m motivated and was looking for a team with the same objectives as me".
"A team like this that wants to win a grand tour like me. This is something we will have to work a lot for because this is something that takes a lot of work, a lot of dedication, and that’s what this team has. I’m motivated to join the team to fight for this dream and the team has confidence in me so we’re going to achieve all that we can together," Carapaz concluded.
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