Richard Carapaz happy with Tour de France podium but admits Tadej Pogačar is 'very difficult' to beat
The Ecuadorian has now finished in the top-three of all the Grand Tours
Richard Carapaz has admitted his pride in finishing third at the 2021 Tour de France, but confessed that being able to win the race would have required a monumental effort.
The Ineos Grenadiers rider will ride into Paris on Sunday comfortably in third-place, 2-59 better off than Ben O'Connor of AG2R Citroën in fourth but 1:43 adrift of Jonas Vingegaard of Jumbo Visma in second.
Carapaz will finish the race 7-03 back from winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE-Team Emirates) and he never looked like challenging the Slovenian for the title during the three weeks.
The 28-year-old does not deny that he was some way short of three-stage winner Pogačar but still took pleasure in being the second Latin American to finish on the podium in all three Grand Tours, having won the 2019 Giro d'Italia and finishing second in last year's Vuelta a España.
"I didn't have any high particular high points, but there were no low points either," the Ecuadorian said. "I think that's why I'm satisfied because I was able to take third by staying steady all the way.
"He [Pogačar] was very strong. On the TV it sometimes looks easy when we're riding a stage, but in fact there were times when it was very difficult to cope.
"Pogačar did an amazing race and I can only congratulate him.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"All teams come here to win and that's what we wanted when we started. But in sport there can always be somebody who's performing better than you.
"We did a good job, we were very active, and we tried. And for me personally, I've been a pro for five years and I've been on the podium of three Grand Tours.
"That's very important for me and I want to continue in the future, working on my strengths and weaknesses.
"Right now, being one of the three strongest riders in this Tour de France is very important."
>>> Tadej Pogačar: The happy kid 'always having fun', riding his favourite toy and eating Big Macs
Carapaz hinted earlier in the week that he may ride the Vuelta a España, which begins on August 14, and reiterated that possibility, although stressed that no decision had been made.
Pogačar is also a potential name on the Vuelta startlist, as is defending champion Primož Roglič who should have recovered from his injury sustained at the Tour in time to take the start in Bilbao.
Carapaz's team, Ineos Grenadiers, will be keen to make an impression at the Spanish Grand Tour having failed to win a stage or the GC at the Tour for the first time since 2014.
Thank you for reading 20 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
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and feature writing across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in a number of places, but mostly in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains.
He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
Arnaud De Lie diagnosed with Lyme disease after pulling out of Spring Classics
Antibodies for disease found in Belgian rider’s blood
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Discover Unmatched Comfort and Style: Himiway A7 Pro — The Ultimate Urban Commuter E-Bike
Discover the premium commuter that'll leave you longing for the next ride
By Cat Glowinski Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel not intimidated by Tadej Pogačar’s form ahead of Milan-San Remo clash
Dutchman starts his 2024 road season at Italian Monument on Saturday
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I pulled it off and turned everything around' - Brandon McNulty on the ride that changed him
US star grabbed his first ever Grand Tour win at last year’s Giro d’Italia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Matteo Jorgenson, Visma-Lease a Bike’s new star, continues to impress at Paris-Nice
The American could step into the leaders yellow jersey on Tuesday evening after stage three’s team time trial in Auxerre
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'He’s making history': Paris-Nice reacts to Strade Bianche masterclass from Tadej Pogačar
'He can still surprise us all the time’ João Almeida on Pogačar's performance in Tuscany
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'You have to be open to everything' - Primož Roglič ahead of his Bora-Hansgrohe debut at Paris-Nice
Roglič up against Remco Evenepoel for the first time in 2024 as he gets set for a return to the Tour de France
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert impress in Portugal ahead of bigger tests
Evenepoel starts season in fine form ahead of Tour de France debut this summer
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart ready for ‘unknown’ as he begins new ‘adventure’ at Lidl-Trek
British rider set to make racing comeback at Volta ao Algarve on Wednesday, nine months after serious crash
By Tom Thewlis Published