The Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz (Ineos), pink jersey of the Giro d’Italia, considers that the race is entering its most favorable terrain and hopes to defend first place to the fullest, despite the difficulty of the remaining mountain stages and the opposition of rivals such as the Australian Jay Hindleythe Portuguese joao almeida and the spanish Mikel Landa.
“There is a very tough week ahead. Bora controlled last Saturday in a short stage, of a classic type, but now there are stages with long climbs, with much more unevenness. I am calm, and with the team I am prepared for what is to come”, he pointed Carapaz on the third rest day of the Giro.
The cyclist from Carchen, winner of the Giro in 2019, trusts the route, his team and the motivation provided by wearing the pink jersey.
“The last week is favorable for me, I focused my preparation for the mountain, and we also have the pink jersey, which is an extra motivation for me and the team. There is a lot of Giro left, but I am motivated and I will give everything to defend it” , commented.
For the Ecuadorian “the key to the Giro will undoubtedly be these stages that arrive, starting with tomorrow, with the Mortirolo on the route.
“Tomorrow’s stage is very hard, with more than 5,000 meters of elevation gain. Fatigue will be noticeable, and in the following stages there will be no peace of mind, so it will be necessary to concentrate every day.”
For Carapaz The role of the team in the mountain stages will be important, much more than the weather factor, since it does not fear the possible rains forecast for this Tuesday.
“If it rains tomorrow I don’t know what will happen, with the change in weather I have no problem. If it rains, better, and if the heat continues, too. The team’s performance will be more important, since staying alone in the race has a great influence, but we have a Porte, Sivakov, Castroviejor … in the peloton we are the majority. This week will be important because of the mountain stages, having teammates by your side gives confidence”, he commented.
Carapazwho was transferred by helicopter to the hotel after Sunday’s stage, compared the circumstances of the Giro he won in 2019 with the current ones.
“This Giro is different, now I have more experience and a strong team behind me. We know that the pink jersey can be achieved. In 2019 we were not so sure. I feel better than I did then to face this decisive week,” he explained.
Regarding the rivals to take into account, Carapaz continues to consider candidates for the Australian Hindleyto Portuguese joao almeigives and to Spanish Mikel Landa.
He also wanted to clarify regarding Sunday’s time trial in Verona that the result will depend “on these 4 days in the mountains”
Carapaz He highlighted the added morale and tranquility provided by seeing his family, with his two children, and friends following the Giro d’Italia close to him. “It is gratifying to see my family and all the compatriots who are residents or who have come from Ecuador to follow me in the race,” he concluded.