The worst kept secret in pro cycling has been confirmed - in very low key fashion today - by Ineos Grenadiers; Richard Carapaz is leaving the team at the end of the current season.
The Olympic road race champion has been named today in the Ineos Grenadiers line-up for La Vuelta. And buried in the team's announcement confirming the selection is a reference to Carapaz moving on.
Rod Ellingworth, deputy team principal, said he was excited to have four Grand Tour debutants in the team for the Vuelta in the shape of Ben Turner, Ethan Hayter, Carlos Rodríguez and Luke Plapp.
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He then said he was sure all four would "provide fantastic support for Richie in his last Grand Tour with us" - the first reference the team has made publicly confirming Carapaz is moving on at the end of the current season. Carapaz has been linked with a move back to Movistar and also, more recently, with a move to EF Education-EasyPost.
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The Ecuadorian joined Ineos Grenadiers for the 2020 season, after winning the Giro as a Movistar rider in 2019. While he led the 2020 Vuelta, for two stints, he was beaten into 2nd place by Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma). Carapaz then went on to finish 2nd in the Tour de France in 2021 and this year led the Giro before losing out to Jai Hindley (Bora-hansgrohe) and finishing 2nd overall.
Carapaz took one win in his first season with Ineos Grenadiers in 2020; a stage at Tour de Pologne. Last year he took three wins; a stage and the overall at Tour de Suisse and Olympic road race gold. This year he has won two races to date; his national TT title and a stage at Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.
