Vuelta a Espaná

Stage 3, Picón Blanco, Spain

16 AUGUST 2021

On his special dark gold bike, to mark his victory in the Tokyo Olympic road race, Richard Carapaz struggles to limit his losses up the Picón Blanco on stage 3 of the Vuelta. The Ecuadorian, riding for Ineos Grenadiers, was distanced on the final climb of the day, the first major test of this year’s race. He ended up losing one minute to his general classification rivals, while his team- mates Adam Yates and Egan Bernal maintained their places in the front group. The effort can be seen in that Carapaz is in his lowest gear. Up the road, Rein Taaramäe survived from the breakaway to win his second Vuelta stage, 10 years on from his last victory at the Spanish race. The win also meant that the Intermarché-Wanty- Gobert Matériaux team seized the red jersey from Primož Roglič, who had led the race since the opening day’s time trial.