The 24 seconds that Richard Carapaz was missing to catch up with Primoz Roglic leave a bitter taste that, nevertheless, does not overshadow the eternal pride for the unbeatable determination and unprecedented achievement of the Ecuadorian cyclist, runner-up of La Vuelta a España 2020.
This Saturday, the carchense secured his second podium in a major cycling race after achieving it in the Giro d'Italia 2019, which he won: another glorious chapter for his career and for Ecuadorian sports.
Far from responding to the notable performance of the tricolor in Spain, the disappointment for his second place points, rather, to the fact that it was the stage bonuses that determined the victory of the Slovenian.
Primoz Roglic, after stage 17 of La Vuelta. AFP
In accumulated times, the runner from the Jumbo-Visma team, considered the best in the world today, registered 69 h 17 min 59 s and the one from Ineos Grenadiers, 69 h 18 min 23 s. But in the bonuses, those seconds that are awarded to the first three to cross the finish line in each stage, Roglic took a very wide lead over la Locomotora: 48 vs. 16, that is, 32 seconds.
"Those bonus seconds were there and if I didn't get more it's because I couldn't", Carapaz admitted, quoted by As, after stage 17, the penultimate of La Vuelta, which only has the ceremonial route to Madrid left.
Stage by stage
Primoz Roglic became the first cyclist since 1995 (Laurent Jalabert) to raise his arms four times throughout La Vuelta and his motivation may well have gone beyond winning the competition, as if that were not enough.
"In the times we are living in (pandemic), we have to be grateful for being able to compete, I have given everything every day, each stage has been disputed as if it were a classic", declared the two-time champion of the Spanish race.
The Slovenian triumphed in stages 1, 8, and 10 (the 13th as well, but it was a time trial), totaling 30 seconds of bonuses, since each route awarded 10, 6, and 4 s to the first, second, and third place, respectively.
In addition, Roglic benefited from another 6 s in stages 2, 3, and 16 each, adding the remaining 18 s.
"The bonus seconds are the same for everyone. I am very proud of the race I have run", he considered.
Richard #Carapaz, runner-up of #LaVuelta! The Ecuadorian from Ineos Grenadiers was 24 seconds behind the winner, Slovenian Primoz Roglic, who renews his title in Spain. The ceremonial stage will be on Sunday ► https://t.co/BNOhpjn1xk pic.twitter.com/MlsEgXlfFI
— Marcador (@marcadorec) November 7, 2020
Meanwhile, Carapaz's 16 s were possible because he finished second in stages 1 and 8, and third in stage 3, always in competition with the Slovenian.
In the other stages where Roglic received bonuses, the results for the carchense were: 4th in stage 2, 14th in stage 10, and 5th in stage 16.
"I have given everything. I wouldn't have raced any other way and I won't regret anything in this Vuelta", concluded the tricolor, who this Saturday staged an infernal attack that, however, was not enough to reduce his difference with the leader.
Detail of decisive sections for bonuses
- Stage 1: Medium mountain - Irun > Arrate. Eibar - 173 km
- Stage 2: Medium mountain - Pamplona > Lekunberri - 151.6 km
- Stage 3: Medium mountain - Lodosa > La Laguna Negra - Vinuesa - 166.1 km
- Stage 8: Mountain - Logroño > Alto de Moncalvillo - 164 km
- Stage 10: Flat - Castro Urdiales > Suances - 185 km
- Stage 16: Medium mountain - Salamanca > Ciudad Rodrigo - 162 km
(D)