Vuelta a Espana win "what I’ve worked so hard for" Richard Carapaz says

It is no secret that Richard Carapaz is aiming at the Vuelta a Espana to take his first Grand Tour win with INEOS Grenadiers, after three podium places in three years. He's not the undisputed leader in a lineup with such quality, but he is the British team's main weapon.

“I have no doubts about my performance after the Giro. In the end, I have always performed well in the grand tours. I trust a lot in myself and my team. We will do a great ride," Carapaz told Velonews. The Ecuadorian showed that there was still some form to be gained at the Tour de Pologne, and lost seven seconds - alongside several other GC contenders - yesterday on the hilltop finish at Laguardia. The Vuelta has not yet entered the mountains however, and a three-week race is often decided in the final days - as he knows very well. 

With the second place on the opening team time-trial however, Carapaz sits in seventh position in the GC currently, and only 33 seconds behind Primoz Roglic. “There are many good and eager people at this Vuelta. But it is clear that Roglic, as the winner of the last three editions, is the great favorite to repeat the victory. Hindley and Landa, of course, are two very tough rivals as was seen in the Giro," he added.

Today's double-ascent of the Alto del Vivero will be a first test, however tomorrow the summit finish at Pico Jano will be crucial in seeing how the GC riders sit into the race. INEOS have Pavel Sivakov, Tao Geoghegan Hart and Carlos Rodríguez however to attack the mountains, not just the Ecuadorian. “We have a great team and the one that is better will be the one that can compete in the race".

"In the Tour, it was already seen that there were several riders involved in the general classification until in the end, it was possible to fight for the podium with Thomas, who was the strongest," Carapaz mentioned.

“I’m going to do my best to win this Vuelta. Two years ago I was second and I would love to be able to improve on that result. That’s what I’ve worked so hard for," he stated once again, confidently.