It was the protagonists themselves, Richard Carapaz and the Movistar Team, who took it upon themselves to calm the spirits after the controversy that arose in stage 17 of La Vuelta a España, in which a surprising action by Carapaz's former team caused him harm and 'sealed' the championship for Primoz Roglic.
On Saturday, in the penultimate stage of the Spanish round, Carapaz (2nd) had to decrease the 45-second gap with the Slovenian cyclist to take the lead. Within the last 3 km on the Alto de la Covatilla, the Carchense cyclist launched an infernal attack towards the finish line and it seemed that he would achieve his goal, as Roglic fell further behind. But Enric Mas (5th) and Movistar appeared and, in a sort of collateral effect, marked the pace of the Jumbo-Visma team leader, affecting the Locomotive, who finished as the runner-up 24 seconds behind the winner.
The Movistar's move generated strong reactions, especially on social media and in specialized press. Cycling fans saw it as a deliberate action to settle a score with Carapaz, who left the Spanish team weeks after winning the 2019 Giro d'Italia, claiming he felt undervalued, and signed with Ineos. For its part, Movistar claimed their intention was to reach a better position in the general classification with Mas.
- Bonuses also defeated Carapaz
But this Sunday, in the ceremonial stage of La Vuelta, peace was made. Before the race, Eusebio Unzué, manager of Movistar Team, approached the Ecuadorian rider and both greeted each other courteously.
'They're race situations'
"They're race situations that are completely understood, that's how I see it. Each one seeks their own interests and theirs were to enter fourth place," Carapaz said to Marca. And when asked if he was hurt by his former team's action in the definition of La Vuelta, he was clear: "Why should it hurt me? I gave everything I had".
Unzué also spoke: "It was difficult (to take fourth place, held by Irishman Dan Martin), but it's much more difficult to achieve things if you don't try. That's what we did, see if along the way we would find the reward of having improved a position in the race."
- Carapaz's performances call for an increase in Ineos' bet
Meanwhile, Mas, who at the end of Saturday's stage already stated that Movistar's attempt was not to benefit or harm others, affirmed: "We were going to try to be fourth in the general classification. It so happened that Roglic was with me. I didn't want to harm Ineos or Richard or benefit Roglic. Richie didn't leave the team on bad terms or anything. Whenever Richard is mentioned, it's mentioned with affection."
Carapaz will climb the podium in Madrid this Sunday as the runner-up of La Vuelta. Roglic will do so as the two-time champion. Movistar, meanwhile, will be honored as the best team, ahead of Jumbo-Visma. (D)