Carapaz wins men's road race for Ecuador's 1st cycling medal
OYAMA, Japan (AP) - Richard Carapaz rode away from the biggest names in cycling to win the Olympic road race Saturday, giving Ecuador its first medal in the sport in one of its marquee events on the first full day of the Tokyo Games.
Embracing his nickname of "The Locomotive," Carapaz pulled away from American breakaway buddy Brandon McNulty as they approached the finish at Fuji International Speedway. He slapped his handlebars in celebration as he crossed the line, where Carapaz was greeted by one of the few crowds allowed at the Olympics amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The chasing group rounded the corner in sight of him at the finish line, then played a game of cat-and-mouse for the other two medals. Belgian star Wout van Aert wound up edging Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia in a photo finish.
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Richard Carapaz of Ecuador reacts after winning the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Canada's Michael Woods, foreground right, and other riders round a corner in front of the Okunitama Shrine during the men's cycling road race at the Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Cyclists compete during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The peloton makes a turn during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Juraj Sagan of Slovakia, left, competes during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Simon Philip Yates of Great Britain, center, is seen in this slow shutter speed photo, comptes during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Athletes in the peloton climb during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Athletes compete during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The peloton goes into a turn during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Omar Fraile Matarranz of Spain, right, and Greg van Avermaet of Belgium compete during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Limited numbers of fans watch in the Fuji International Speedway during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Zdenek Stybar of Team Czech Republic rides during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Fuchu, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Limited numbers of fans watch in the Fuji International Speedway during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Riders in the breakaway climb during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Limited numbers of fans watch in the Fuji International Speedway during the men's cycling road race at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Oyama, Japan. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Workers sweep the area along the men's cycling road race prior to its start, outside the Okunitama Shrine, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Fuchu, Japan. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
