Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) confirmed Wednesday that he had surgery this week while home in Ecuador, but expected a short recovery time to be at "the maximum level" for a return to the Giro d'Italia in five weeks.
The 32-year-old, who has been on the GC podium twice at the Giro, including the overall title in 2019, posted a photo of himself from an Axxis Hospital room in Quito giving a thumbs-up sign while sitting upright in a chair post-surgery.
"It wasn’t the plan, but it was handled the best way," Carapaz wrote on his Instagram feed.
"I had a procedure last night for a perineal condition. Everything went as planned and successfully. From today, fully focussed on recovery and returning to the maximum level in front of the Giro."
There are several types of perineal injuries, one of the most common referred to as 'cyclist's syndrome', with pelvic pain, numbness or inflamed tissue developing from extended pressure on the perineal nerve, which can lead to chronic conditions. Recovery can take as little as one to two weeks.
This will be a second appearance at the Italian Grand Tour with Carapaz leading EF Education-EasyPost. Last year, he rode well in the mountains, with eight top 10s and a stage 11 victory at Castelnovo ne' Monti, dropping then-GC leader Isaac del Toro with a powerful attack. The two faced off in a tactical battle in the third week of the Giro, which would open the door by stage 20 for Simon Yates to grab the pink jersey and win the overall on the final day.
Carapaz was on track to replicate his preparations for the Giro like last year, taking part in Tirreno-Adriatico and Volta a Catalunya for his spring schedule. He finished 18th in Italy and 10th in Catalunya, mirroring his 2025 results at both races.
Just a week ago, Carapaz exhibited his climbing abilities with an emphatic uphill surge on the final mountain stage at the Spanish race, boosting him from 23rd position overall to the top 10. Jonas Vingegaard won that race, and Carapaz will face him again in Italy in May.
"The locomotive does not give up," was how his team affirmed that effort.
The statement would also be true about a quick recovery for Carapaz to take the start in Bulgaria on May 8 and provide a playground of climbing when the hills begin on stage 5 in southern Italy.
However, the approach to the Giro after Volta a Catalunya this time will not have the Olympic Champion heading to altitude camp. He will focus on rest and recovery and then ride his fifth Giro d'Italia.
"Grateful to Dr. Reinhart and his team of professionals who accompanied him through the process, to Axxis Hospital for the excellent work, and to all of you for the constant support," Carapaz added to his social media post regarding a successful procedure Tuesday.
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