Fresh off Tour de France success: EF Education-EasyPost goes all-in for Vuelta victory with Carapaz
CyclingWednesday, 14 August 2024 at 09:45
EF Education-EasyPost has announced its roster for the Vuelta a España, with all eyes set on Richard Carapaz, who will be aiming for his second grand tour victory. The Ecuadorian rider will have a strong team of helpers, all focused on one goal: winning the overall title.
Carapaz had an outstanding Tour de France, securing a stage win, the polka-dot jersey, and the super combativity award, making it a highly successful campaign. With renewed motivation, the 2019 Giro d'Italia winner is now fully committed to going after the red jersey in the Vuelta. Carapaz, who finished second in this race in 2020, hopes to challenge for the top spot this year. The American team’s intent to win the overall classification is evident in their carefully selected roster, as revealed on the team’s website.
In the high mountains, Carapaz will mainly rely on Jefferson Alexander Cepeda, Rigoberto Uran, and Darren Rafferty. For Uran, this will be his final grand tour; the 37-year-old Colombian last tasted victory with a stage win in the Vuelta two years ago. In contrast, this will be the first grand tour for Rafferty. The 21-year-old Irishman has already shown he has strong climbing legs and is eager to start in Portugal.
Alongside Uran, another seasoned rider, Rui Costa, will be at the start. The American team is further bolstered by Harry Sweeney, James Shaw, and Owain Doull. Doull, in particular, will be tasked with doing the dirty work in the flat stages, ensuring his leader stays safe in the peloton. The Vuelta kicks off on Saturday with an individual time trial through the streets of Lisbon.
Selection EF Education-EasyPost
Richard Carapaz
Jefferson Alexander Cepeda
Rigoberto Uran
Darren Rafferty
Rui Costa
Owain Doull
Harry Sweeney
James Shaw
Jefferson Alexander Cepeda
Rigoberto Uran
Darren Rafferty
Rui Costa
Owain Doull
Harry Sweeney
James Shaw
Il Lombardia 2024
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024