Who Is Richard Carapaz?
The Who Is Richard Carapaz? article tells the story of the rider’s background, career and major victories.
Latest updates
Newest first · CFP reporting brief
- 21 Sep 2026 · CFP Brief
Richard Carapaz Withdraws from World Championships Due to Health Complications
Richard Carapaz has withdrawn from the UCI Road World Championships road race in Montreal, citing unspecified health complications as the reason for his late withdrawal. The 33-year-old Ecuadorian, a former Olympic road race champion, had been considered a contender for the elite men’s race scheduled for the following week.
In a statement shared publicly, Carapaz explained that following detailed medical assessment and advice from his performance team, prioritizing his health and recovery became the responsible course of action to avoid greater risks to his career. He did not specify the nature of the health concerns prompting his decision. The rider indicated he would continue treatment and hoped to resume training soon.
Carapaz’s absence removes a significant threat from the field after an impressively strong season. He claimed two stage victories at the Tour de France while securing the mountains classification, then finished fourth overall at the Vuelta a España just days before announcing his withdrawal. His participation had seemed assured given his recent form and status as a past Olympic champion.
The withdrawal comes as several other notable riders have similarly stepped back from world championship competition in recent days due to various health and fatigue concerns following the demanding Grand Tour calendar. Ecuador’s cycling federation has not yet confirmed whether Carapaz will be replaced in their team roster, though fellow Ecuadorian Jhonatan Narvaez is now positioned as the nation’s primary leader for the road race.
Sources
- 15 Sep 2026 · CFP Brief
Carapaz to Lead Ecuador’s Bid at 2026 World Championships in Montréal
Ecuador has named Richard Carapaz as a primary leader for its four-rider team at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montréal, pairing him with fellow top-tier talent Jhonatan Narváez. The selection reflects the South American federation’s ambitions for the elite road race on Canadian soil.
Carapaz, 33, arrives at the worlds after an unusually demanding campaign that included appearances at both the Tour de France and Vuelta a España. At the Tour, the climber emerged as a key performer in the mountains, securing two stage victories and winning the mountains classification. He subsequently finished fourth overall at the Vuelta. According to wielerflits.nl, this marks his fifth world championship appearance, though his historical record at the event shows mixed results: two withdrawals, a 71st-place finish, and a 22nd-place result. However, the outlet notes that Carapaz demonstrated his capability on the sport’s biggest stages by winning Olympic gold on the road five years earlier in Tokyo, and the Montréal course appears well-suited to his climbing strengths.
Narváez, 29, took a contrasting path to the worlds. The puncheur did not contest either the Tour or Vuelta, instead building form through Canadian races in Québec and Montréal. He finished 15th in what wielerflits.nl describes as a general rehearsal for the world championships. His fresher preparation contrasts with Carapaz’s accumulated fatigue from a Grand Tour double.
The squad is completed by cousins Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda and Jefferson Alexander Cepeda, the latter a teammate of Carapaz at EF Education-EasyPost in his professional capacity.
Sources