After an outstanding Tour de France, Richard Carapaz will lead a strong EF Education-EasyPost team at the Vuelta a España

EF Education-EasyPost has finalised its team for the upcoming Vuelta a España. Richard Carapaz, two-time stage winner and winner of the polka-dot jersey at the Tour de France, is the team’s undisputed leader. Vincenzo Albanese, Markel Beloki, Alastair MacKellar, Darren Rafferty, Juan Rodriguez, James Shaw, and Georg Steinhauser will all provide him with full support.

Earlier, Carapaz had said he was still unsure about his exact goal at the 2026 Vuelta: the general classification or stage wins and the mountains jersey. He has now made up his mind. “We’re aiming for the general classification. That’s important to me because it requires a different approach than in the Tour. I think we have a great chance in the Vuelta a España; we know how the race works and we’re familiar with most of the route.”

"Ultimately, that’s what motivates me the most. It’s a very mountainous race and it will be tough, but tough in the sense that we can actually compete for the general classification. It’s important to me to see myself competing at the front for three weeks. It’s a mindset I’ve always had, and it motivates me tremendously for this Vuelta,” said Carapaz.

What have the past few weeks been like for him? “After the Tour de France, we trained at altitude in Andorra to maintain the same training rhythm we’ve had since the start of the year. It was important to stay focused, especially to keep the mindset that we can achieve a great result in the Vuelta a España.”

"After the Tour and everything we went through there, it’s all about staying focused and recognizing the importance of concentration. We know this is an opportunity we want to make the most of. So we’ve stayed focused, maintained our form, and even worked on our weaknesses. I think it’s going to be a wonderful Vuelta,” he explains.

Carapaz goes into more detail about the route that lies ahead. “This year’s Vuelta route is very mountainous. We have a number of crucial early stages; by the third and fourth days, for example, we’ll reach the mountains, where I think we’ll start to see small time gaps in the general classification. I see that as a positive for us. The stage to Andorra will also be crucial,” he says, referring to Stage 4.

"Stage 20 in Granada has nearly 5,000 meters of climbing—that will be the queen stage, and I think it will determine the winner of the Vuelta. Those are crucial stages, and of course the time trial will also be essential, where we’ll have to defend our position as best we can. All in all, it’s a very mountainous Vuelta where you have to stay constantly alert. There are stages with tricky, tight finishes where you have to pay close attention. Ultimately, that’s what a Grand Tour is all about: fighting every day and always staying focused.'

Carapaz has confidence in his riders. “As far as the team is concerned, we have a very young and strong squad in which everyone plays a crucial role in the Vuelta a España. These are riders who know what we’re working toward and what our overarching goal is: to try to win the Vuelta. That motivates me tremendously, because all the guys know why they’re here and what their job is.”

"It's crucial to have great riders like Beloki and Steinhauser for the decisive days. We also have experienced riders like Albanese who will make a huge contribution to the team, which is very motivating. "Darren and James Shaw are more versatile; they’ve already ridden several Grand Tours, and we can expect a lot from them," he explains.

"I have wonderful memories of the Vuelta. It was my first Grand Tour when I turned pro in 2017, and it remains one of the best memories of my career. I can look back on some great results: a second-place finish in the general classification, three stage wins, and I wore the mountains jersey and the green jersey. I’ve worn more jerseys in the Vuelta than anyone else, and those are wonderful milestones in my sporting career. That makes me very excited for this year,” Carapaz concludes.

Richard Carapaz
Vincenzo Albanese
Markel Beloki
Alastair MacKellar
Darren Rafferty
Juan Rodriguez
James Shaw
Georg Steinhauser