Richard Carapaz sets sights on a Tour de France return after a Giro d'Italia disappointment

Ecuador’s brightest star Richard Carapaz is back on the bike after a complicated spring. The 32-year-old performed at a high level to finish 18th at Tirreno-Adriatico and 10th overall at Volta a Catalunya with aim on Giro d'Italia, only to be ruled out of the race by a health indisposition requiring a surgery.

The EF Education-EasyPost leader had built the first half of his season around returning to the Italian Grand Tour, a race that has defined much of his career: overall winner in 2019, second in 2022, and third last year. However, his assault on the 109th edition ended before it began after undergoing surgery on April 29 to remove a perineal cyst.

Although he initially hoped to recover in time to start, the wound did not heal quickly enough for a full return to training. In the end, the American squad ruled him out of the race, a setback the rider himself called "a complete disappointment".

After 24 days off the road without training, the rider is now cleared to work normally. With his season reset, his focus turns firmly to the Tour de France, which starts in Barcelona this summer.

Although his race programme is not officially set, as reported by Domestique, all signs point to a June return to the peloton. The Tour de Suisse, which is cut down to only five stages this year, is emerging as a likely option. There, Carapaz could test himself against some of the world's biggest names including Tadej Pogacar.

A simulatenously raced Route d’Occitanie (2.1), is another possibility to regain race rhythm with its traditionally challenging stages.

Despite this setback, Tour de France return appears to be a viable alternative to Carapraz's original plans. After all, the Ecuadorian enjoyed an excellent edition two years, winning a stage, the mountain classification, most combative rider's award and wearing yellow jersey for a day.