Carapaz to join new team

Richard Carapaz, a 33-year-old Ecuadorian cyclist, is expected to leave EF Education-EasyPost and join the Swiss team NSN for the upcoming season. This move comes after NSN reportedly secured his commitment despite competition from other teams.

Competition from other teams

Carapaz was also pursued by Netcompany INEOS and Pinarello-Q36.5, but NSN emerged victorious in the recruitment process. His current contract with EF Education-EasyPost was set to last until the end of 2027, making the move a significant career shift.

Strong performance after injury

Despite a challenging start to the season, including surgery to remove a perineal cyst, Carapaz regained his top form during the summer. He won two mountain stages at the Tour de France, including Orcières-Merlette and Alpe d'Huez, and claimed the mountain classification and combativity prize.

Recent race results

Carapaz followed up with a second-place finish at the Clásica San Sebastián and a fourth-place overall at La Vuelta. These performances may have influenced his decision to seek a new team, as he aims to build on his strong season.

Reasons for the move

EF Education-EasyPost has a limited budget, and Carapaz’s desire to highlight his recent successes may have contributed to his decision to leave. The move also aligns with NSN’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its roster, which includes recent additions like Kasper Asgreen, Santiago Buitrago, and Lennert Van Eetvelt.