After losing Carapaz, EF Education-EasyPost chases stage wins in the Tour de France with these eight riders

With the loss of Richard Carapaz, EF recently had to swallow a bitter pill. “Last week he began experiencing stomach pain and high fever. He underwent several rounds of tests, which revealed a gastrointestinal infection, confirmed by additional scans. The medical staff in Ecuador prescribed him antibiotics and medication to control the pain and fever,” the team reported at the time.

So the question remained: who would EF bring to the start? Using attacking language, the team made its intentions clear in a communiqué. “Our guys will go on the attack when the time is right. They will seize every opportunity in the Massif Central, the Pyrenees, and the Alps. Watch for their attacks all the way to the final lap in Paris, over Montmartre and the Champs-Élysées. We head into the Tour with eight riders who each have the strength, endurance, and skills to win a stage on their day and make their childhood dreams come true.”

Chasing stage wins is the goal, and for that, the American team has called up a very dangerous contender in Neilson Powless. “I also want to win a stage. That would absolutely complete my career. I have to say that a victory in the Tour de France, or wearing the yellow jersey, is still the one thing that’s missing. Honestly, it feels like that’s the only thing that matters. I’m doing everything I can to achieve that someday.”

With Ben Healy, EF is also bringing another pure attacker. “I would love to win a stage in the Tour de France. Last year was my first experience at the Tour, and it was just amazing. It’s a shame we lost Richie in the run-up this time, because he was flying in the Giro, but I think the rest of us are ready to step up. We’re going to get a lot of opportunities. We have a very well-balanced team that can go for it almost every day in the Tour.”

For the flat finishes, the team will rely not only on Vincenzo Albanese but also on Marijn van den Berg. The Dutchman is lining up for his second Tour. “It’s the biggest race of the season, with so much media attention. The level is super high, and the sprints are super chaotic. Winning a stage would make my career. I’m not a pure sprinter, of course. Vincenzo is, and he’s in top form. I’ll help him and hope to get some chances myself too.”

Harry Sweeny, Michael Valgren, Alex Baudin, and Kasper Asgreen complete EF’s Tour selection. The latter already won a stage at this year’s Giro d’Italia.

Neilson Powless