After daughter's emergency operation: Co-favourite cancels World Cup participation

Next Sunday, the coveted rainbow jersey will be up for grabs on the streets of Zurich at the 2024 World Cycling Championships. The top favourite for the title is Tadej Pogacar. The Slovenian now has one less rival, as Richard Carapaz is unable to start.

Emergency operation on Richard Carapaz's daughter

The mountain king of the 2024 Tour de France has flown to his home country of Ecuador, where his daughter had to undergo emergency surgery. "Fortunately, the operation went well. However, she still needs to be looked after," writes the 2021 Olympic champion on his website.

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Carapaz went on to say that he was therefore unable to train for several days and decided not to compete in Zurich due to his condition. "Representing Ecuador is one of the biggest responsibilities I have as an athlete. But we are all human. In our sporting careers, there are circumstances that go beyond sport, and the health of my family is my priority," writes Carapaz.

Jhonatan Narvaez also missing from the 2024 World Cycling Championships

The 31-year-old from Team EF Education EasyPost had already missed out on the start at the 2024 Olympics in Paris after his home country awarded the only available starting place in the road race to Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos Grenadiers), which led to discussions in Ecuador.

However, Narvaez is also unable to take part in the World Cycling Championships in Zurich due to Covid-19. Ecuador is therefore sending Jefferson Alexander Cepeda (EF Education EasyPost), his cousin Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA) and Jonathan Klever Caicedo (Petrolike) to the start. None of the three riders mentioned are favourites for the title.