Richard Carapaz wants to win La Vuelta and sends warning shot: "We want to compete for the title and this was the first move"

Richard Carapaz was one of the main protagonists of the 18th stage of the Vuelta a España 2024. EF Education-EasyPost set out to surprise and try to catch other favourites off guard. Whilst he didn't directly succeed, his attacks did distance Mikel Landa definitely out of the fight for the podium.

Ben O'Connor initially dropped back to the peloton. However, Mikel Landa lost 3:20 at the finish line and the EF Education-EasyPost leader now has one less rival for the podium in Madrid. After the finish, he spoke to the race microphones explaining the strategy and making clear his ambitions for the final three days of competition.

After attacking twice in the climb, differences were made and he linked up with two teammates that were in the breakaway of the day. "It was a pretty tough last climb, so we decided to take the lead. James Shaw and Owain Doull did a great job after falling behind. I'm very happy. I feel better every day, and we were able to make a difference. We want to compete for the title, and this was the first move".

"Fatigue is starting to play an important role. Every day counts, so we have to take every opportunity. It's been a tough Vuelta and there are still a few days left. I'm very confident in my performance in this third week, and we're going to try to maintain this line. Tomorrow will be very hard, but I'm looking forward to it."

Carapaz remains fourth overall, 1:46 behind red jersey O'Connor, 1:41 behind virtual leader Primoz Roglic and only 21 seconds behind Enric Mas and the podium. At the back he has a margin, 2:02 ahead of fifth place, David Gaudu, and as we mentioned before, he has taken out a tough nut to crack in Landa. There are still two mountain stages to go, especially a very hard one, and the final time trial on the last day of the three weeks.