After weeks of rumors and conjectures after the outcome of the Tour of Italy, Richard Carapaz gives its full version. The Ecuadorian champion analyzes without capujos what happened in the day of the Windows, reveals your frustration with Isaac del Toroand points directly to a lack of collaboration that, according to him, cost them the Rosa Maglia. In an interview for 'Marker' of Radio brand, Carapaz He also reviews his contractual future, values his future and loads against the current situation of cycling in his country. “I stay with a big one,” He assures, with a view already on the tour and in new personal goals.
The rotation podium.
Listen to the full interview:
Ask. He could not win the turn, but he settled a great role in a great lap that is good for him. What balance does it do?
Answer. Yes. I think it is one of the turns that has best been given to me during my professional career. In 2018 it was my first participation, I was able to win a stage, I was leading the young people and ended in fourth place. The truth has been a pretty beautiful tour. The four participations have been with very good results. It is a race that I always liked, it was the first one with which I fell in love with cycling.
He wins again at the Corsa Rosa six years later finishing an attack at nine of the finish line and the bull is more leader
P. Finally, Yates took it. Now that a few weeks have passed, what analysis does it do?
A. Now with a cold head, thinking about everything that has happened, I am very satisfied. I gave everything I had, everything that was within my reach. It has been a very beautiful turn, very fought. We fueled the race a lot. In the end, there are things that come out of control. For me, returning to the podium after almost four years is very rewarding. We are still alive, we are here and we have what to fight. I keep that. This year he could fight until the end and I keep that.
The British achieves his first pink corsa and the Dutch is imposed on Pedersen and Groves
P. ended very angry, especially with the young Mexican Isaac del Toro. Does still think the same?
A. angry, but I still have a hard time understanding what was happening. I don't know, it was a strange situation. I don't know if you, who have seen so much cycling, have ever seen a pink maglia let a turn go that way. Everyone plays their cards, and they played their own. That was the result. That third place does not change me much. I keep the satisfactory part of having fought a great return.
Our tactic was isolating the leader in the finisre and we succeeded
Carapaz, celebrating his victory.
Q. Days later, with perspective, would something change your strategy?
R. I haven't just understood what was happening, if in the UAE car or Isaac's head. I have re -analyzed the stage and our slogan as a team was to isolate it from below so that it was a you to you on the climb. We did it well. But then Yates came from behind, I closed, I closed again … There was a time when I thought not all responsibility was mine. I left the job to him for a moment, but he stopped with me. There was a moment that was even shameful. There was a moment that fantned myself on purpose for him to pass, but he did not want and stopped with me. And I said, what happens? We leave him some time to put pressure on him. But the difference was more than two minutes and I had to accelerate again after making the decision to see if it exploded from the bull or what.
In the last four kilometers I climbed very strong, we cut about 40 seconds, we crown at 1'20.. I thought that from there it was his turn, but in the descent it was stopping. In the descent it was franted and said that he wanted to wait I had five minutes and also a key partner ahead. already wout ahead.
It happened during the last mountain day of the Giro, where Simon Yates fought the 'Maglia'.
Q. Was it key that your team didn't put anyone ahead? Because visa did …
A. Nor could I say that I had the most powerful team. I knew the team that had and it was complicated to put no one forward. Our tactic was not for more than 10 minutes and maintain the difference. I was pulling the whole team. We did it well. The idea was to break from below in the finisre, isolate the leader, and we succeed. From that point we did things well. But then what everyone already knows came. I can't answer from UAE because they play their cards, but our trick was to isolate the leader, not to escape and break from the first kilometer of FinniTre.
Q. Could you talk to Isaac the next day, already more quietly?
A. I tried to approach him, but he went from me. I can't force. I wanted to talk to him because I didn't understand what had happened, but he ignored me. I have not spoken anything with him.
The Welshman was critical again regarding what happened in the turn.
Q. Now, closing that chapter of the turn, what are the following objectives?
A. Our first objective of the year was fulfilled. I keep the feeling of having given everything. Now comes the tour, with another paper, not focused on the general, but with other objectives such as the mountain or the stages. It is a more serious, most level career. The team knows the intention and we are for it.
Q. Are there news about your future? Contract with your current team.
A. We are still talking to the team. Most likely to continue, but I can't advance anything. We are talking with the team, in the coming weeks I will know more. The first week after the turn I wanted to disconnect a little and now we will resume the theme. When I have something clear I will surely announce it, but at the moment I cannot say anything.
The 'Corsa Rosa' has uploaded this curious video after the victory of Ecuadorian in the stage of Wednesday.
Q. Would a return to Movistar be raised? His departure was a bit rare.
A. I have very good memories. I never was indebted to the team. I would be very excited, really. Beyond what happens, now I want to close well with the current team. But it could be a pretty beautiful option.
Q. You are a very important figure in your country. What does it mean for you to bear the name of Ecuador for the world?
A. It's very nice. Not only for my career, but because it remains in the history of the country. It was not to break a barrier, but to dream big and achieve it with sacrifice. It is a pride to be part of history, represent our country. Many Ecuadorians in Europe feel identified not only by cycling, but for what our flag means. For me, it is a pride to be Ecuadorian.
Now I go to the tour with other objectives: mountain and stages
Carapaz's mother, in 2019 with the trophy.
Q. How is your relationship with the Cycling Federation of your country now? In the past he had problems …
A. Right now there have been elections, with a fairly dark process. Each time cycling in Ecuador goes from bad to worse. I don't know the new president, I've seen him a couple of times. There is a lot of uncertainty. We are in the ranking of the 20 best countries thanks to six WorldTour cyclists who add points. But policies go in the opposite direction. Strange elections are made, clubs are credited one day before voting. We have a future, many young people with enthusiasm, and someone reaches a position just to occupy it, not to work. This is not built.
The Ecuadorian corridor was clear after crossing the finish line
Q. You are going to be on the tour, but not disputing the general. As a good connoisseur from within, how do you think the battle will be among the greats?
A. As an amateur it will be very interesting. The first ten days will be key to those who seek the general. Then the mountain will arrive and there will see who is the strongest. It will be a very beautiful tour. There are two crons, and we have seen Evenepoel very strong. The other two greats are also flying. It will be very entertaining, because the three are to fight this tour.
I fantned on purpose to pass and did not. I still don't understand
Q. Finally, of the greats, who 'despair' more?
A. The most favorite is Pogacar. We have seen everything you can do. It defends itself in all lands. It is incredible the performance it has, it is always ahead. He already won the first day in Dauphiné, made a great stage. He has also been in the classics, always fighting. I admire him very much. It is a runner to follow.
