Richard Karapas has confirmed that he will return to the Giro d'Italia in October to defend his 2019 victory. The Ecuadorian climber is expected to lead Team Ineos in Corsa Rosa after joining the British WorldTour team from Movistar.

Egan Bernal, Geraint Thomas, and Chris Froome are expected to lead Team Ineos in the Tour de France, and each recently revealed their determination to give their best in September and compete for the final team lead on French roads.

Calapaz is content to focus on the Giro d'Italia in October, and after the UCI released its World Tour calendar last week, Team Ineos revealed that it has decided on much of its race program.

What races will take place will depend on how countries control the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in the coming months and limit the possibility of a second wave of epidemics. The race will likely be held with strict spectator restrictions and medical protocols for athletes and the race caravan. Carapas will likely return to Europe early in the summer to avoid quarantine problems and prepare for the Giro d'Italia. He will most likely compete in the Tirreno-Adriatico in September.

"My program is almost all set. The Giro d'Italia remains my main goal," Karapas told Italian television station RAI Sport.

"I want to be at my best in the Giro.

Astana announced that Jakob Fuglsang will target the Giro d'Italia in October, while Remco Evenpole will lead Dečuninck-Quick Step. Vincenzo Nibali also wants to focus on the Giro d'Italia, but his goals may be influenced by the Trek-Segafredo team's decision and the need for success in the Tour de France.

The Giro d'Italia will run from October 3-25, with the opening stage taking place in southern Italy and then following a route already announced. The Grande Partenza was originally scheduled to take place in Hungary, but may return in 2021.

Karapas joined Team Ineos from Movistar for 2020 after becoming a national hero with his breakthrough success at the Giro d'Italia. However, he has kept his feet on the ground and is spending the COVID-19 pandemic blockade period at his home in Calci Provence, Ecuador, near the border with Colombia.

"After winning the Giro d'Italia, it was crazy here in Ecuador," he said, recalling his Giro d'Italia victory and his grand homecoming celebration.

"People were really proud of my victory and recognized me. It changed a lot of things for me and made me famous. It wasn't easy to face the arts at first, but I try to use it to do good. I like the idea of helping talented young athletes to excel through my cycling school. The country is changing and many people dream of success.

"These are difficult times and we have been hit by a pandemic in the last few months, just like the rest of the world. Fortunately, the Karch region was lucky. We were isolated and the number of infected people was relatively small. I was fortunate to be with my family and make up for lost time."