Richard Carapaz undergoes perineal surgery a month before start of Giro d'Italia

Carapaz won the Giro d'Italia in 2019
Carapaz won the Giro d'Italia in 2019REUTERS / Jennifer Lorenzini

Former Olympic champion Richard ⁠Carapaz has undergone surgery for a perineal ‌condition a month before the ‌Giro d'Italia, but ‌the Ecuadorean aims to ‌be fit to compete ‌for a fourth podium finish in the ‌race.

"It wasn't part of ⁠the ‌plan, but it was handled ​in the best possible way," the ​32-year-old, who won the Giro in 2019, finished ⁠second ​in 2022 and took third place last year, posted on Instagram on ‌Wednesday.

Carapaz, who took gold in the road race at the Tokyo Olympics, missed the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana due to an illness ‌last year.

"From today, ​I'm fully focused on ‌my recovery and on getting back to peak condition ahead of the Giro," Carapaz added.

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