Richard Carapaz 'totally empty' as he quits Vuelta a España 2021

The Ecuadorian says he's been suffering in the heat at the Spanish Grand Tour

Richard Carapaz
(Image credit: Getty)

Richard Carapaz is out of the Vuelta a España after failing to finish stage 14, saying he's "totally empty".

The Ecuadorian arrived at the Spanish Grand Tour resplendent with new gold affectations after winning the Tokyo Olympics road race and as one of a number of Ineos Grenadiers riders potentially able to contest the red jersey alongside Egan Bernal and Adam Yates.

“I wanted to support the team here at the Vuelta a España and have gone out there everyday and given it my all, but unfortunately I’ve suffered with the heat and have ended totally empty," Richard Carapaz said after climbing off. 

"Now I’m going to recover and reset my goals. I am very proud of what I have achieved this season, and will work hard to build on this and keep moving forward, and will fight to achieve more success.”

Ineos Grenadiers face an uphill battle to take anything away from this Vuelta. Giro d'Italia winner Egan Bernal has admitted he isn't on top form and currently sits seventh overall, nearly three minutes behind Jumbo-Visma's Primož Roglič.

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

Jonny was Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor until 2022.

I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.

Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).

I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.