The Ecuadorian Richard Carapaaz loses the return to Spain 2025 after an irregular recovery, while Jonas Vingegaard arrives fully and with a clear objective: to achieve the only big one that is missing in his record.
Foto: Efe – Christophe Petit Tesson
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The return to Spain 2025 starts next Saturday in Turin with an unexpected script: Richard Carapaz, one of the names indicated to fight the general classification, will not be at the exit. On the other hand, the prominence will fall on Jonas Vingegaard, leader of the Visma Lease to Bike and maximum favorite to dress red in Madrid on September 14.
The Ecuadorian of the EF Education-Easypost, who could not run the Tour de France for a gastrointestinal infection, decided to prolong his recovery and focus what remains of the season on two different objectives: the Italian classics and, above all, the world championship in Rwanda.
The Olympic champion in Tokyo 2021 explained that after several relapses he could not train continuity, so he opted with his team to delay the return to the competition. Now he trains in height in Ecuador, with an eye on a possible rainbow jersey.
His absence leaves the return without one of the most combative runners in recent years and opens space for other favorites in the fight for the general.
Vingegaard, for what is missing
If Carapaz is erased, Jonas Vingegaard arrives with everything. The Danish, twice winner of the Tour de France and three times runner -up in that same race, faces this return as the great challenge that is missing: winning in Spain. He already knows what it is to shine on these roads – it was second in 2023 and he has triumphs in Itzulia and Gran Camiño – but he has never conquered the Red. “After the tour I rested a little and focused all the preparation on this goal. I am ready and eager to start,” said the Nordic, 28, in the previous one.
The visma will present a powerful block, with weight names such as SEPP Kuss, champion of Vuelta 2023, willing to support Vingegaard in his assault on the general. The strategy is clear: control from the beginning and take advantage of the mountain stages, land where the Danish feels more comfortable.
Beyond his individual ambition, Vingegaard also pursues a historical milestone: no Danish cyclist has won the turn since its creation in 1935. Not even Fuglsang, which came to carry the Red in 2011, could do so. The challenge is served.
The 90th anniversary edition of the race is presented, thus, with a renewed cast of papers: Carapaz leaves a hole that other climbers will try to occupy, while Vingegaard will try to complete its palmraés in large laps.
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