[Sport] Richard Carapaz: We will not stop trying

[#Steeven.™]

The Ecuadorian is fourth overall, one second away from entering the podium. Between Wednesday and Thursday the last mountain stages of the Tour de France will be run.

"It was a good day," said Richard Carapaz at the end of stage 16 of the Tour de France, which resumed on Tuesday after the second day of rest.

The Ecuadorian ranked 13th at the finish line in Saint-Gaudens, at the start of the decisive week to define the champion of the Grande Boucle.

“It is the final stretch for Paris. We are very encouraged and thinking about this, we hope to have a good day for us ”, said the leader of Ineos Grenadiers, before the day they will face this Wednesday with three difficult ports.

Day 17 will be run between Muret and Saint-Lary-Soulan, with 18.4 kilometers, a fraction that will go up until it reaches the Col de Peyresourde, to continue with a steep descent before facing the Col de Val Louron-Azet, for a new descent before ascending to the finish line at Col du Portet.

“We will try to do the race as usual and we will not stop trying. A not so expected end is coming, but the days that come will be more appropriate, although we do not know which one will be better, ”said the Carchense.

Fourth in the general and without being able to overcome positions in the previous two weeks, Ineos and Carapaz prepare their last weapons for two mountain days in which the Ecuadorian will seek to surprise.

“All the Tour we have been doing our race, we hope it will be the same for the rest of the week. What is left of the race is also important, but we will define everything as we go ”, concluded Carapaz.

In a day in which the peloton had no surprises, the general classification did not suffer alterations.

First and with the yellow jersey follows the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates), followed at 5 minutes 18 seconds by Rigoberto Urán (EF Education-Nippo), third is Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 15 seconds behind the Colombian, and One second behind is Carapaz (fourth), who has a 25-second lead over Ben O'Connor (AG2R-Citröen), fifth.