Olympic champion Richard Carapaz attacked on the last climb (7km to go) and never was in doubt to win the Classic Alpes-Maritimes. With over 4300 meters of climbing and 169 km in length, it is one of the most difficult one-day races in France. Carapaz is showing good form heading towards the Critérium du Dauphiné, which starts June 4. The eight-day French stage is the traditional apéritif for the Tour with brutal days in the Alps.
"It is important for me to give back the confidence the team puts into me. Everyone worked very hard and did a spectacular job. We showed off what we had, that we were confident with our plan, that we had somebody like me to finish it off in the best way possible."
-Richard Carapaz
"Richard gave the okay that he was feeling good and we went super fast into the finale with a good position into the descent. Mark and Diego were really strong, and chapeau to Richard to hold that gap and be mentally as strong as he was. It was not easy. He was being chased down. He was more the rabbit than the fox. It was super nice sign heading into the Dauphiné and the build-up towards the Tour."
-Sebastian Langeveld. DS EF Education Easypost
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