Richard Carapaz, the reigning King of the Mountains at the Tour de France, has been ruled out of this year’s race due to a gastrointestinal infection. The 32-year-old Ecuadorian rider, who had been expected to lead the EF Pro Cycling team in the 2025 edition of the Tour, began experiencing severe abdominal pain and a high fever while training at home in Ecuador last week. Doctors have advised him to avoid long-haul travel and competition at this time, resulting in his withdrawal from the prestigious event.
Carapaz’s absence from the Tour de France is a significant blow to his team. The former Giro d’Italia champion had just come off a strong performance in the Giro, where he finished third, and was poised to carry that form into the Tour. His withdrawal leaves a void for EF Pro Cycling, as the team had been relying on his leadership and climbing prowess for a successful campaign in France. Team CEO Jonathan Vaughters expressed disappointment over the news, emphasizing how much Carapaz had sacrificed to reach peak form and how crucial the Tour was to him personally.
Carapaz, who won the 2019 Giro d’Italia and claimed the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo in 2020, had an impressive showing at last year’s Tour de France, where he won both the King of the Mountains classification and the Combativity Award. His form and experience made him a strong contender for the upcoming race, but his health now takes precedence. The team confirmed that Carapaz would take a few weeks off to recover fully from the infection before shifting his focus to the Vuelta a España, which begins on 23 August. The Vuelta, often considered the least prestigious of the three Grand Tours, will now be his main target for the season.
The news of Carapaz’s illness has raised questions about the impact on EF Pro Cycling’s strategy for the Tour de France. The team will likely need to recalibrate their approach, as Carapaz was expected to be one of their top riders in the mountains. However, the team’s focus has now shifted to ensuring his full recovery and getting him back to peak condition for the Vuelta. Carapaz’s goal is clear: to return to form in time for Spain’s Grand Tour and compete for the win.
While his absence will be felt at the Tour, Carapaz’s potential return to top-level competition later in the season gives fans something to look forward to. His resilience and determination will likely see him bounce back from this setback, with his sights now firmly set on the Vuelta.
