Racing
Jonathan Caicedo wins the Ecuadorian time trial championship
Teammate Alexander Cepeda takes bronze
February 11, 2023
For the third time in his career, Jonathan Caicedo is the time trial national champion of Ecuador.
He won his first time trial national title in 2015 and followed up four years later with his second. Now that four years have again passed, Jonathan again started his season by winning the tricolor jersey of Ecuador.
“I’m really proud to wear these colors in Europe, above all to wear them in the big races in Europe like the Giro,” Jonathan said. “I’m really excited to wear these colors and for more to come. I think it’s going to be a good year. I want to keep having this motivation and this feeling that it’s going to be a good year in Europe too.”
"I had really good legs and it was very hard but it went well and now I’m really happy."
The time trial was held in Tulcán, often called the heart of Ecuadorian cycling. The route was two out-and-back loops for a total of 37.5-kilometers. After his first lap, Jonathan was nearly 40 seconds off the leader but his decision to race the first half conservatively paid off and he powered through the second lap, ultimately winning by a margin of 53 seconds. His time was 45:50 for just over an average of 49 kilometers per hour.
“The route was a little bit favorable for me. It was a course for strength. I rode it well and I trained well in the winter. The team helped me a lot with training and with materials. I had really good legs and it was very hard but it went well and now I’m really happy,” Jonathan said.
Accompanying Jonathan on the podium was teammate Alexander Cepeda who finished third. The 24-year-old joined the team in August of 2022 and is embarking on his first complete season in the WorldTour.
Alexander hails from El Playón de San Francisco, just 40 kilometers southeast of today’s race in Tulcán, and knows the local roads well.
“I feel super happy. I’ve been preparing myself the best way to be able to get good results. I’m pleased to share the podium with Jonathan. I think it’s a great result for both of us,” Alexander said.
Tomorrow, Richard Carapaz makes his debut in pink in Ecuador’s road race national championship. Ahead of the race, Jonathan said, “We hope it goes well. With Richard and Alexander, we’re a strong group and I don’t see why one of us can’t be on the podium.”
We can’t wait for it!