Richard Carapaz states that he will fight for the General Classification in the Tour de France in 2024. The Ecuadorian wants to leave the past season behind and start the next one with ambition. “If the legs are good, I can aim for a good classification,” Carapaz told the British website GCN.
2023 to forget
2023 was a season to forget for Carapaz. The climber won only two minor competitions, the Ecuadorian National Championship, and the Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes.
He also achieved many honorable placements but did not participate in the major competitions. The Tour de France was the main objective, but Carapaz had to abandon early due to a crash.
The team manager, Jonathan Vaughters, remains confident and explains Carapaz’s problem last year. “He came out of 2022 tired. Additionally, his tonsils were removed, and he suffered several falls. Now he has a much better plan, ready for the upcoming season.”
“We are not aiming for eighth place.”
“I feel very comfortable in this team, and there are great opportunities for me. The riders who can help me are of a high level, like Neilson Powless and Andrey Amador,” says Carapaz, who will compete in the Tour next year.
“I will start from scratch again. But if the legs are good, I can aim for a good classification. That is my goal. I just have to forget about last season.”
Carapaz clearly states that he will go for the General Classification, but Vaughters adds a comment: “We’re not chasing eighth place; we also want to win stages effectively. His results in smaller stage races will determine the support he receives and the goals we will set with him.”