Richard Carapaz out of Vuelta a España 2019 after crash
The Giro champion will not take to the start
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Richard Carapaz will not race the Vuelta a España after he crashed days before the opening stage.
The Giro d’Italia winner fell last Sunday (August 18), according to his Movistar team, and suffered shoulder injuries.
Carapaz was due to be one of three potential leaders for the Spanish team at the Vuelta, but the crash has taken him out of the race.
>>> Tour de l’Avenir releases footage of Tom Pidcock’s crash
The Ecuadorian suffered a number of injuries, including bruises to his shoulder.
A statement from Movistar said: “The participation of Richard Carapaz in the Vuelta a España in doubt as a result of a fall last Sunday, which caused a strong bruise on his right shoulder and serious injuries."
The team then added: "Movistar confirms Thursday that Richard Carapaz will not start the 74th edition of the Vuelta a España , which starts on Saturday in Alicante.
"In spite of the treatment received since then and the absence of fractures, the evolution of the lesions advises a greater precaution for its total restoration, so he will not take part in the race."
Carapaz emerged as the unexpected winner of the Giro d’Italia this year, bringing to an end Movistar’s drought in three-week races.
The 26-year-old had been holding well on the opening two weeks of the race, along with Spanish team-mate Mikkel Landa.
He then jumped from sixth overall to take the pink jersey on stage 14 to Courmayeur, and was unshakable in the final week, taking the race win in Verona.
Movistar planned to return to their trident leadership tactic at the Vuelta, with former winners Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana riding alongside Carapaz.
Quintana has previously won the Vuelta, beating Chris Froome (Team Ineos) in 2016, but has been far from his best in Grand Tours in recent seasons as he has targeted the Tour de France, the only three-week race missing from his palmarès.
>>> Dominant teams curb enjoyment of cycling, UCI survey reveals
Valverde, another former Vuelta winner who triumphed in 2009, has also ridden a quiet season after taking the World Championships at the end of last season.
With Quintana set to leave Movistar for Arkéa-Samsic and Carapaz now out, Valverde is their chosen rider for the overall on paper.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
20 year-old sprints to clean sweep at British Track Champs
Emma Finucane wins two titles on the closing day of the championships
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Marius Mayrhofer pulls off surprise win at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
DSM rider breaks down with emotion after he crosses the finish line
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Movistar quick to quash Mark Cavendish signing report
Italian press speculation over future of sprinter denied by Spanish team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Van Vleuten confirms her superiority with Ceratizit Challenge GC victory
Elisa Balsamo takes the final stage bunch kick on the Madrid circuit after consummate work from Trek-Segafredo
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Silvia Persico takes Ceratizit Challenge stage victory after a tense aggressive final
Olympic champion Anna Kiesenhofer comes close to pulling off a repeat of her Tokyo triumph with a 158km solo break
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Van Vleuten in a class of her own winning the second stage of the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta
The Movistar rider attacked on the penultimate climb dropping all her rivals to take the overall lead with three stages remaining
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Attack to defend: Van Vleuten on the edge of Tour de France greatness
Anything can happen, say Movistar but he team are confident Annemiek van Vleuten will ride into history on Sunday’s final Tour de France Femmes stage
By Owen Rogers • Last updated
-
The mountains are coming: Tour de France Femmes favourites predict what's going to happen
Riders predict Saturday’s seventh stage will be the toughest of the race, but GC will be decided on Sunday at Super Planche des Belles Filles
By Owen Rogers • Last updated
-
Van Vleuten confirms her third Giro Donne victory
The Dutch rider finishes safely in the bunch while Chiara Consonni takes the final stage
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
'Sorry Mum!' Annemiek van Vleuten apologises after Giro Donne crash
The Movistar rider remounted, won the stage, extended her lead and warns tomorrow suits her
By Owen Rogers • Published