It's been a truly difficult season for Richard Carapaz. After missing the Tour de France due to a gastrointestinal infection, the Ecuadorian rider was aiming to perform well at the Vuelta a España. But after a stop-and-go recovery, Richie, together with our medical staff, has decided to postpone his return to racing to ensure he can give his best.

"After the illness, I had to stop several times because I couldn't train for more than two or three consecutive days," Carapaz said. Now in Ecuador, I'm trying to return to normality with training and continue with what we had planned. I'm almost completely recovered."

Although the recovery hasn't been easy, Carapaz knows there are still many opportunities this year: with the Italian classics and the World Championships in Rwanda on the horizon, he has regained his motivation and is eager to return to racing.

"Now, the next objectives we've set are the Italian classics, particularly Il Lombardia, and the World Championships in Rwanda. It's a very special world championship for me, I have a great opportunity and I want to prepare myself at my best. That's why I came to Ecuador: to train at altitude, regain motivation and focus 100%. Some factors are playing in our favor and we want to make the most of them."

After winning the Olympics and stages in all three grand tours, wearing the world champion jersey would be the crowning achievement of an already important career.

Regarding EF Education Easypost for the Vuelta, Archie Ryan, Markel Beloki, Lukas Nerurkar, and Jardi van der Lee will make their grand tour debut. Veterans Esteban Chaves and James Shaw will be their guides, along with Madis Mihkels and Sean Quinn.