Richard Carapaz to focus on Vuelta a España, confirms Tour de France absence

Richard Carapaz will not be at the start of the upcoming Tour de France. The Ecuadorian rider hopes to take a shot at the final victory in the Vuelta a España, he said in a recent announcement - as was expected of the 29-year old.

The 29-year-old Carapaz was third in GC in the Tour de France last year, but he will not participate in the French race this season. The reigning Olympic road champion is fully focused on the last big tour of the season: the Vuelta a España, he told Ciclismo a Fondo. The Spanish race starts on Friday, August 19 in the Netherlands,

Carapaz, will stay in his homeland Ecuador for the next month. Where he will continue to work on his condition at altitude and get ready for the Vuelta. "In the run-up to the Vuelta, I might also be in action in a smaller stage race, like the Tour of Poland. That's an option. After the Vuelta, I hope to finish my season with some autumn classics." said Carapaz.

His second place at the recent Giro d'Italia saw Carapaz finish his third Grand Tour in a row on the podium, however without a win such as his Giro 2019 triumph, which he will be looking for once again.