"We tried to break up the race" - Richard Carapaz impresses again on 'a key day for the GC' at the 2025 Giro d'Italia

Stage 15 of the 2025 Giro d’Italia was absolute chaos. Primoz Roglic lost 1 minute and 30 seconds to the main contenders for the overall classification, and now the race is more wide open than ever. One of the biggest winners from this wild day was Richard Carapaz, who finished in the group of GC favourites, crossing the line in 13th place, just 29 seconds behind the stage winner, Carlos Verona.

“We knew today was a very important stage. I think we did really well. We tried to break up the race, just like INEOS did. It was a key day for the general classification,” said the Ecuadorian rider from EF Education–EasyPost in his post-stage interview afterwards.

With Roglic losing ground, several teams worked hard to put as much time as possible into the pre-race favourite: “There were a lot of rival interests at play, and we were in the right place. But we still have a very important week ahead,” Carapaz said, staying calm despite being right in the mix for the pink jersey.

“We’re confident, and we hope we can maintain this level,” added the 31-year-old climber. In the general classification, the EF team leader is currently in fourth place, 2 minutes and 7 seconds behind the leader, Isaac del Toro. Ahead of him are only Juan Ayuso, 41 seconds up, and Simon Yates, 47 seconds ahead. The final week promises to be thrilling, packed with mountain stages and a route that suits his strengths.

Champion of the Giro in 2019, Carapaz can still dream of winning the race once again. And he won’t have to wait long to try — this Tuesday, May 27, the day after the rest day, riders face a gruelling stage of over 200 kilometres featuring four categorized climbs, including second- and first-category mountains.