Richard Carapaz reveals spring calendar and build-up towards Tour de France

Richard Carapaz has started his season with EF Education-EasyPost on the right foot, but his racing debut in Europe is only to happen in mid-March. As he builds towards the Tour de France, an initial plan has been revealed.

The Ecuadorian won the road race national championships back home in February and will be debuting his jersey at Milano-Torino. The new star of the American team is having a late start but a packed spring, with the Volta a Catalunya and Itzulia Basque Country being big goals and races where he may race for the win, before the spring classics where he is also within a shot.

Having proven his talent in the past, the Olympic champion will be an outsider for both Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Fléche Wallone appears to have been clocked off his calendar according to Primicias. His main goal in the summer then will be the Tour de France.

It is unknown if he is to go there with the goal of fighting for the overall classification or if the ambitions will be more modest and fall under stage wins, but the mountainous route will suit the 29-year old very well. He will race the Critérium du Dauphiné in anticipation to the Grand Boucle.