Despite a deep field, this is definitely Carapaz’s race to lose.
A bunch of amateurs were in the break of the day, but that obviously went nowhere. Montenegro sets the first attack by a pro with 12 kilometers to go. No one response immediately.
He is caught fairly quickly nonetheless, and when Huera attacks, everyone is attentive. 8 of the 10 pro riders here today are with him, the only exceptions being Montenegro and Palma. But both have teammates in the group.
With 9 kilometers to go, Carapaz already goes for it on his own. Can the group organize an effective chase?
They did for quite a while – up until the final 2 kilometers, they kept Carapaz within around 30 seconds. But then they all ran out of gas and the Simba captain takes the title by a solid minute and a half ahead of Cepeda Hernandez, who rode away from the rest of the chasers in the end.
Result
1
Richard Antonio Carapaz
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
1h38'51
2
Jefferson Cepeda Hernandez
Minions
+ 1'31
3
Jhonatan Narvaez
McCormick Pro Cycling
+ 1'43
4
Jefferson Alexander Cepeda
Gazelle
s.t.
5
Harold Martin Lopez
Fastned
s.t.
6
Bryan Raul Obando
Sony - Force India
+ 2'54
7
Santiago Montenegro
SEE Turtles
+ 3'05
8
Franklin Joel Revelo
SEE Turtles
+ 3'13
9
Richard Huera
MOL Cycling Team
+ 4'27
.
Ecuadorian National Championships
--
Time Trial
Can Carapaz take the double championship? He is the top favorite again.
Neo-pro Palma is a likely candidate to win this title a bunch of times in the future, and he already hints at his talent with a second place today, 9 seconds faster than Obando.
But as expected, Carapaz comfortably takes the win, making it two for two this year.
Ecuadorian National Championships 
