Richard Carapaz Joins NSN Cycling Team on Three-Year Deal

Former Giro d’Italia champion and Olympic gold medallist Richard Carapaz has joined NSN Cycling Team on a three-year contract after leaving EF Education-EasyPost a year before his existing deal was due to expire.

The Ecuadorian cyclist’s move, announced on Friday, October 17, marks a new chapter in his professional career as he looks to build on his recent performances and help his new team achieve its ambitions. NSN Cycling Team was formerly known as Israel–Premier Tech.

Richard Carapaz Signs Three-Year Contract With NSN

Carapaz, who won the Giro d’Italia in 2019 and claimed road race gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has signed a three-year deal with NSN Cycling Team.

The 33-year-old is widely recognised for his climbing ability and strength in demanding mountain stages. His experience in major international races is expected to be an important asset as the team continues to pursue its long-term sporting goals.

Speaking about the move, Carapaz expressed his excitement about joining the team and compared the feeling to the enthusiasm he experienced when he first entered professional cycling.

“I’m really looking forward to it, and to be honest, this reminds me a lot of when I signed my first professional contract, when I was incredibly excited about being in the WorldTour,” Carapaz said in a statement.

Carapaz Shares NSN Cycling Team’s Ambitions

The Ecuadorian rider also highlighted the team’s ambitions and said his initial discussions with its performance staff had revealed a shared commitment to improvement and success.

“The team has big ambitions to keep growing and already in my conversations with the performance team, it was clear we share the same desire to keep improving and achieve big things together.”

Carapaz’s comments suggest that the project and its future objectives played an important role in his decision to join NSN. His experience at the highest level of professional cycling could help the team strengthen its competitiveness in major stage races.

Richard Carapaz’s Impressive Tour de France Performance

Carapaz arrives at NSN after another notable season on the road. At the 2026 Tour de France, the experienced climber won two stages and finished eighth overall.

His ability to perform in mountainous terrain has been a defining feature of his career. Winning stages at the Tour de France further demonstrated his capacity to compete against elite riders in one of cycling’s most prestigious events.

Carapaz previously achieved major success by winning the 2019 Giro d’Italia and securing Olympic road race gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021. Those accomplishments have established him as one of Ecuador’s most successful professional cyclists.

What Richard Carapaz’s Move Means for NSN Cycling Team

Carapaz’s arrival gives NSN Cycling Team an experienced Grand Tour contender with a proven record of winning major races and performing on difficult mountain stages. His three-year contract also provides the team with a long-term opportunity to build around his strengths.

After leaving EF Education-EasyPost before the end of his previous contract, Carapaz will now focus on adapting to his new team and pursuing further success in professional cycling.

With his climbing expertise, Grand Tour experience and recent Tour de France victories, Carapaz will be a rider to watch as NSN Cycling Team continues its development and aims to achieve bigger results in the seasons ahead.