Richard Carapaz
Hometown
Playa Alta, Ecuador
Birthdate
29 May 1993
Languages
Spanish, English
Richard Carapaz races with grit and heart. The Giro d’Italia winner and former Olympic champion hails from the high mountains of Ecuador where he started racing as a 16-year-old for his local club. He returns there each winter to help the next generation of children from his hometown of Playa Alta get started in the sport they dream of conquering like him.
Richard has stood on the podium of all three grand tours and won over 20 professional races. When Richie wins, he wins with style. He is never afraid to attack and can sense exactly the right moment to go. That is how he won his Olympic gold medal and his Giro d’Italia.
After a difficult 2023 season, Richie proved that he was ready to attack in 2024. He started the season with a win at the Ecuadorian time trial national championship. At the Tour Colombia, he won the queen stage and took both the points and mountains jerseys. He won stage four of the Tour de Romandie. Richard had a phenomenal Tour de France, enjoying a day in the coveted yellow jersey, besting the peloton on stage 17, and winning the polka dot jersey.
And in 2025, he is more motivated than ever.
Questions & Answers
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
Ecuador. My country is very special to me and it’s fantastic.
Think about your best teammate ever. What was the quality in them that you appreciated?
A quiet and humble teammate.
Giro, Tour, or Vuelta? Why?
The Tour! It’s the highest level.
If you weren't a professional cyclist, what would you be?
An architect. I like construction and innovation.
What is your favorite climb? What makes it special?
The Mortirolo because it’s a very hard climb.