Richard Carapaz set to go head to head with Primoz Roglic, Adam Yates and Juan Ayuso at 2025 Giro d'Italia

Richard Carapaz, the 2019 Giro d’Italia winner, is set to make a long-awaited return to the Italian Grand Tour in 2025. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Ecuadorian star is eager to revisit the race that brought him his first Grand Tour victory.

Carapaz’s triumph at the 2019 Giro remains one of the defining moments of his career. In a thrilling edition, Carapaz claimed the maglia rosa after a decisive attack on stage 14 and never relinquished it. He held off Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali, who finished second, and Primoz Roglic, who came third, to secure the overall victory.

Carapaz last raced at the Giro in 2022, where he narrowly missed out on a second pink jersey. Battling fiercely with Jai Hindley, Carapaz ultimately had to settle for second place, a disappointment for the ambitious climber. His performances in subsequent seasons, however, have showed fans just why he is considered one of the world’s very best climbers..

At the 2024 Tour de France, Carapaz was one of the standout riders of the race. He secured his first stage victory at the Tour, and donned the yellow jersey on stage 4, a proud moment for the Ecuadorian and his nation. Later in the season, Carapaz finished fourth in the Vuelta a Espana, narrowly missing the podium to Enric Mas. His consistent performances reaffirmed his status as one of the premier Grand Tour riders, proving he can still compete at the highest level at 31 years old.

The 2025 Giro d’Italia promises to be a thrilling edition of the race, with a stacked field including Primoz Roglic, Nairo Quintana, Adam Yates, Juan Ayuso, Mikel Landa, and Wout van Aert. For Carapaz, this return to the race where he first tasted Grand Tour glory will be a chance to reclaim the pink jersey and further solidify his legacy in the sport.