Richard Carapaz He achieved his first victory in the European season this year. The Ecuadorian, who returned to the competition this Tuesday, remained with the victory in Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes, French test of the day belonging to the European Tour.

He was victory 19 in the career of the Olympic championwho, under the command of EF Education-EasyPost, led the squad that was doing the rounds 169.2 kilometers between Puget Théniers and Valberg.

“We plan to be competitive with Richard Carapazo, but he’s not 100% yet,” says athletic director EF Education-EasyPost

No major surprises in the first part of the race EF continued to pull the bulk in the last 35 kilometerswith three of its components in the sum of points in the intermediate sprint in Valberg, with Colombian Diego Caramar, Ukrainian Marko Padun and Caparaza.

The trio of the American team ten more runners joined in the final kilometersa group that would eventually fight for the stage victory.

With 7 kilometers to go, Carapaz attacked, a move that Lenny Martínez (Groupama-FDJ) and Lennert van Eetvelt (Lotto Dstny) answered with difficulty, but they managed to follow the Ecuadorian who left the section.

Austrian Felix Gallo’s push was surprising (AG2R Citroen), who left behind the attack group and went in search of Carapaza, who with better consistency in pedaling managed to maintain a gap of 12 seconds to the finish line in Valberg.

WITH Carapaz in first place, the podium was completed by Gall and Van Eetvelt, at 12 and 38 seconds, respectively. The Ecuadorian’s record was 4 hours 47 minutes 59 seconds.

This is Carapaz’s second victory this yearafter winning the national championship that took place in February in Tulcán.

Complications in recovery after tonsillectomy They didn’t allow the normal development of the season for Carchense, who can hardly wait for his own sixth test this yearwith four one-day races and two stages, with 51st place in Volta a Catalunya and not finishing Itzulia Basque Country due to allergy.

The tricolor cyclist’s calendar reflects on his participation in the Critérium du Dauphiné (France) from June 4 to 11before facing the Tour de France on July 1st, his main goal of the year, the exam he is taking as an EF leader. (D)