The 2026 Giro d’Italia is just around the corner, with the Grande Partenza scheduled for May 8th, and Jonas Vingegaard the overwhelming favorite for the pink jersey. The Dane arrives in spectacular form after dominating races like Paris-Nice and the Volta a Catalunya, which puts him a step above the rest of the contenders.
However, within that group of candidates, there is one name that, despite not having shone at the start of this season, inspires optimism: the Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz. The EF Education-EasyPost leader hasn’t achieved particularly striking results in 2026, but there is a key fact that completely changes the interpretation of his performance.
His results prior to the Giro were as follows:
Race Result
Trofeo Laigueglia 29th
Strade Bianche 39th
Tirreno-Adriatico 18th overall (15th best stage)
Volta a Catalunya 10th overall (Top 6 stage finish)
At first glance, these numbers fall far short of what is expected of a rider aspiring to win a Grand Tour. There are no victories, no podium finishes, and not even consistent presence in the key moments of the races. A discreet performance that, in another context, might suggest that Carapaz is a step below the best.
But this is where the truly important fact comes in. In 2025, Carapaz arrived at the Giro d’Italia with virtually identical feelings. His results in Tirreno-Adriatico (18th) and the Volta a Catalunya (10th) were virtually identical to those of this year. While he did compete a bit more, the level he displayed in the key preparation races was remarkably similar.
And what happened next dispels any negative interpretation. Carapaz delivered one of the most solid and courageous performances of his career. He was a constant protagonist in the mountains, attacking fearlessly and becoming the leader’s main rival. He secured a stage victory and arrived with a real chance of winning the overall classification until the penultimate stage.
Everything was decided on the legendary Colle delle Finestre stage, where the Ecuadorian appeared to be the only one capable of dethroning Isaac del Toro. However, the close marking between the two allowed Simon Yates to launch a surprise attack, ultimately taking the overall victory. Carapaz, despite not achieving the stage win, finished the race in third place, securing a podium finish of immense value.
That precedent is what inspires confidence. Because it demonstrates that Carapaz’s level isn’t measured in March or April, but in May. He’s a rider who grows with competition, who needs to accumulate days to reach his best form, and who finds his ideal terrain in the high mountains to make a difference.
The context that could favor Carapaz
Furthermore, the context of the 2026 Giro d’Italia could favor him in certain aspects. Although Jonas Vingegaard starts as the undisputed favorite, it will also be his first participation in the Corsa Rosa with the goal of winning it, which always adds a degree of uncertainty. Race management, accumulated fatigue, and pressure could play a significant role.
That’s where Carapaz could find his opportunity. He doesn’t need to be the strongest from day one, but rather to arrive in contention for the final week, where he has historically proven to be one of the most aggressive and resilient riders in the peloton.
In short, even if the 2026 results aren’t impressive, the parallel with 2025 is too clear to ignore. And if history repeats itself, Richard Carapaz will not only be in the fight for the podium, but he could be the only one capable of challenging Jonas Vingegaard for the pink jersey.
Source: www.ciclismoaldia.es