We were here together achiev
“My parents have always been there,” Richard says without hesitation.
The 29-year-old credits his family’s support. Who knew that it would be my job, let alone that I’d have the talent to be a cyclist?” he asks.Īt the time, there was no clear path to get from Playa Alta, Ecuador to racing in Europe. We joined this cycling program which happened to be in my town and we all signed up for it - Caicedo, me, Cepeda - and we all turned out to be professional cyclists from the same school. “It wasn’t about cycling as a job then, it was simply something we did. A former professional cyclist who had raced in Europe set up a club and Richard decided to sign up. Richard got his start as a kid in the village of Playa Alta. Eventually I thought I could win the Giro d’Italia and I’ve done that and now I’m thinking about the Tour de France.” When I first started to ride we knew about the grand tours. Every day I get up with this dream that I have to try for. I know what my potential is and what I can do, what I can achieve, and I’m fighting for this dream. A life goal has always been to win the Tour de France.
I’d like to try to win another grand tour. “There are still things I haven’t achieved. I’m one of those people who wants more,” Richard says. “When you conquer one thing, you want more.
We were here together achiev trial#
Richard is the current national time trial champion of Ecuador.ĭespite such a lengthy list of race results, Richard is not done yet. In addition to winning the 2019 Giro d’Italia, he has stood on the podium at all three of the grand tours. Last year he won gold at the Tokyo Olympics and claimed the overall title at the Tour de Suisse. Arguably the most accomplished cyclist Ecuador has produced, Richard has ridden in the WorldTour since 2016.