Richard Carapaz is back fighting: Five things we learned from stage 12 of the Vuelta a España 2022
The reigning Olympic Champion proves a point as Remco Evenepoel suffers a crash
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

REMCO EVENEPOEL MAY REGRET NOT WEARING GLOVES
Race leader Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) crashed hard on an innocuous looking corner on a descent this afternoon at the Vuelta a España.
The Belgian was visibly frustrated at his misfortune and his right thigh, as well as knee and hand were left bloodied after the incident. Evenepoel often chooses to race with bare hands but after his heavy crash he may come to regret that decision.
Nowadays riders are choosing to neglect mitts more frequently, and looking around the Vuelta peloton that immediately becomes clear.
However as most cyclists know, the moment you hit the floor putting out your hand is an instant reaction. Perhaps Evenepoel will choose to use his mitts as an extra precaution in the days to come.
CARAPAZ IS BACK FIGHTING
Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) has so far had a Vuelta a España to forget.
The Ecuadorian has been off of the pace of the leaders and as a result has lost substantial time. Prior to today’s stage 12 Carapaz was 24th overall at 19-26 from the overall lead of Evenepoel. Although the reigning Olympic champion would soon put that right.
Carapaz managed to make the breakaway on stage 12 and it was clear from the word go that he was back fighting and ready to prove a point. In the run into the final climb of the Peñas Blancas, Carapaz set his own pace allowing several other riders to launch early attacks on the climb knowing that he could catch them.
Once Jan Polanc (UAE Team Emirates) and Élie Gesbert (Arkea-Samsic) had been reeled back in, Carapaz launched a violent attack flying past the former of the two.
Grimacing in pain, Carapaz pushed on to take the stage win in style and prove that he won’t get knocked down easily at any Grand-Tour.
JAY VINE IS FATIGUED AFTER HIS TWO-STAGE WINS
Despite making the days breakaway and being present on the final climb, it soon became clear that Jay Vine is fatigued from his recent stage winning exploits at the Spanish Grand Tour.
Vine proved his class as a climber winning two mountain stages in the opening week to take the overall lead in the King of the Mountains classification.
Once the attacks started to rain down this afternoon, the Australian rider wasn’t able to live with the pace set by Richard Carapaz and was soon dropped from the lead group. Vine has a substantial lead in the mountains classification although that could change in the Sierra Nevada in the coming days.
EVENEPOEL TEAM MAY YET PROVE HIS WEAKNESS
Remco Evenepoel lost his key teammate Julian Alaphilippe on stage 11 but proved that he was more than capable of handling affairs on the steep gradients of the Peñas Blancas with minimal support.
Enric Mas (Movistar) in third place looked to launch an attack when the climb began but Evenepoel was able to match him with ease. The young Belgian has won countless week-long stage races as well as monuments and put in a performance full of maturity this afternoon.
Today was a great opportunity to put him under pressure but his resilience and racing nous will leave others clutching at straws as to how they can isolate him in the rest of the race. And if it even matters if they do.
SOUTHERN SPAIN HAS SUFFERED IN BAKING HOT TEMPERATURES
Television pictures this afternoon showed just how much the local region of Sierra Bermeja has suffered in the soaring temperatures of the 2022 summer.
In 2021, the region was badly affected by huge wildfires which burnt out large majorities of woodland and forests that once covered the steep slopes.
Before the Vuelta got underway, Luis Ángel Maté of Euskaltel-Euskadi drew attention to the natural disaster that his home had unfortunately suffered and his efforts to raise money to re-plant the local area.
The pictures of stage 12 demonstrated the extent of the damage as dry fields, sparsely populated with trees were clearly very visible.
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
Tom is a Digital News and Features Writer at Cycling Weekly.
Before joining the Cycling Weekly team, he worked at Oxford Brookes University, most recently in the Internal Communications team. An avid cycling follower with a keen interest in racing, his writing previously featured on Casquettes and Bidons.
-
-
Sven Nys says Tom Pidcock skipping cyclo-cross World title defence ‘makes sense’
‘An effort to win in Hoogerheide will cost so much’ says Belgian cyclocross legend on a course that favours Pidcock's rivals
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
CW Live: Dylan Groenewegen wins stage one of the Saudi Tour; teams announced for women's UAE Tour; British Cycling announce squad for upcoming UEC European Track Championships; Are Giant about to launch the 2023 Revolt X gravel bike?
All the need to know news in cycling this Monday
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
The best 2023 signings: Five WorldTour riders to keep an eye on in pastures new
We pick five riders who have moved teams that we’re expecting to shine this year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tourmalet, Angliru, Covadonga: what we know so far about a 'spectacular' 2023 Vuelta a España route
"It will be a very mountainous and international Vuelta," according to race organisers, with a crucial final week including the fearsome Angliru
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Last updated
-
Remco Evenepoel to race Giro d'Italia in 2023
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl confirm that the world champion will ride the time trial heavy Grand Tour next year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
World champion Remco Evenepoel to kick off 2023 season in Argentina
The Belgian set to ride the Vuelta a San Juan, a race he has previously won, in January
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tom Boonen: 'Remco Evenepoel should get away from Belgium as much as possible'
The former Quick-Step rider said he didn't enjoy the fame of being world champion
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Col du Tourmalet set to feature in 2023 Vuelta a España
Famed climb in the Pyrenees mountains is reported to be making an appearance in the Spanish grand tour route
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Patrick Lefevere coy on whether Remco Evenepoel will target Tour de France in 2023
‘I don't rule out anything for Evenepoel. A good Remco can do well on every kind of course’ Quick-Step boss says
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Remco Evenepoel should ignore Ineos Grenadiers' overtures and stay put at Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl
Interest from a Grand Tour winning machine like Ineos Grenadiers is flattering, but it's not sure to realise the World Champion’s massive potential
By Tom Thewlis • Published