With his time at Ineos about to end after three years of fantastic performance, Richard Carapaz's problems at the start of this Vuelta a España were interpreted as an act of rebellion. Nothing is further from reality. The Ecuadorian, the undisputed leader of Ineos at the beginning of the race, may not be at his best level, but he still harbors class in abundance. The Carchi locomotive chose the terrifying climb to Peñas Blancas (Estepona) to vindicate itself with a triumph full of intelligence and opportunity.
Big runner win. One more of a Carapaz who has been an Olympic champion, has won the Giro d'Italia and has been on the podium in the Tour and the Vuelta. He was missing a victory in the Spanish round. A thorn that has been removed before his new adventure in Education First.
The day was flat except for the last 20 km, when it was time to climb one of the roofs of the race. An ideal setting for a getaway to come to fruition. About thirty runners, including Carapaz, Kerderman (Bora), Vine (Alpecin) or Marc Soler (UAE) left and came to have advantages of more than ten minutes.
From very early on it was clear that victory would be ahead.
A fall by the leader Evenepoel, without consequences and which forced the peloton to slow down, endorsed that idea. But upon reaching Peñas Blancas (19 km at 6.7%, with ramps of up to 15%), fear dominated all the cyclists. The fear of rushing made no one attack until very late. Élie Gesbert (Arkea) did it with 5 km to go, but without the necessary strength to leave. Not like Carapaz, who waited for the final two kilometers to deal a blow as violent as it was definitive. Kelderman, the best positioned overall in the breakaway and who managed to get into the top-ten, was the only one capable of bothering him, albeit from afar.
In the battle between the favorites blood did not flow. Of course, the wear was widespread. Enric Mas attacked from afar but all of his rivals responded satisfactorily. Roglic was the one who was seen with the greatest effort. Then Carlos Rodríguez tried it with the same consequences. From then on, Evenepoel (Quick-Step) set a high pace to avoid shocks and everyone understood that it was not the day to make a difference.
