With Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) in whole management of the maglia rosa, the battle for the rostrum would be the race to observe through the third week of the Giro d’Italia, creating a captivating race throughout the race.
Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) is 6:41 down on Pogačar after the Slovenian’s dominant solo victory at Livigno on Sunday, a margin not seen at this level of the race since Eddy Merckx dominated the 1973 Corsa rosa.
However, Dani Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe) is simply 15 seconds down on the Welshman and Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R) is fourth at 1:02 from Thomas.
All three are skilled Grand Tour riders so the combat for the ultimate podium locations might final all the best way to subsequent Saturday’s double ascent of Monte Grappa.
Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) is fifth general at 9:26, with Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers) sixth at 9:45 and a menace to Tiberi’s greatest younger rider’s white jersey.
Romain Bardet (Dsm-firmenich PostNL) is a distant 10:49 however is a menace and the Frenchman is wanting ahead to the ultimate week within the mountains and desires to make up for a poor first week of the Giro.
These riders will race one another, fairly than fear about any assaults from Pogačar or breakaway riders, simply as they did on the Passo di Foscagno on Sunday. It will likely be a strategic recreation of nerves and efficiency, beginning with Tuesday’s mountain end in Santa Cristina Val Gardena on the sting of the Dolomites.
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Thomas saved a low profile on the second relaxation day in Livigno however hoped to relaxation up earlier than the double-header of mountain finishes on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We’ve performed nicely to this point on this race but it surely’s two tremendous onerous days straight after the remaining day, so we have simply acquired to attempt to be prepared for that,” he stated on Sunday past the end line.
O’Connor spoke by way of video name on Monday after preferring to remain heat and shortly head down from the Mottolino ski station by way of cable automobile on Sunday. The Australian was offended to lose even eight seconds to Thomas and Martinez and is up for a combat within the mountains.
“I’m not afraid in any respect. The mountains are the place I carry out my greatest, so I’ve to be prepared, ready, and see if I can get a while again to finish up on the rostrum. If not, then so be it. But I’ll strive my greatest to take action,” he stated.
“It’s solely a minute between me and Dani, so it’s totally open, and you’ve got fairly a number of very, very onerous levels. So I don’t suppose something is out of the query.
“The ultimate week is the crunch time of the Giro, as at all times. You should be at your greatest. Hopefully, I give it my all, and then you definitely’ll see the place you find yourself whenever you get to Rome.”
24 hours after the Livigno stage end, O’Connor had a extra appreciative view of his efficiency and projected that ahead to the remainder of the week and particularly stage 17 to the summit of the Passo Brocon, which incorporates 4 main climbs in simply 159 km.
“I did not really feel 100%, however that was in all probability because of Saturday’s time trial. I managed to restrict the harm and ultimately, I’m proud of the result. It was certainly one of my hardest days on the bike, so to nonetheless carry out nicely is an effective sign,” he stated.
“I believe in all probability the Brocon stage might be the day that fits me the very best. It’s steady, up and down within the mountains. I believe that that is sufficient to essentially create some fairly huge gaps. This is the day I’m in all probability wanting ahead to most.
“I believe Tadej will in all probability journey somewhat bit extra defensive as a result of he’s acquired such an enormous lead. So it is as much as us, Bora and Ineos to combat for these two ultimate podium locations in Rome.”
Martinez has additionally been finding out the levels of the ultimate week carefully.
He is in a Grand Tour management position for the primary time in his profession however helped Egan Bernal win the 2021 Giro d’Italia. He has the possibility of a lifetime to complete on the rostrum.
“I nonetheless really feel good, though I’m a bit drained. But I’m wanting ahead to the ultimate week of this Giro,” he stated throughout a video name.
“It’ll be particularly vital to carry out persistently, that’s the key. I nonetheless really feel calm in the intervening time and I’m having fun with my time right here.
“Tuesday’s stage will likely be essential after which there may be the final mountain stage over Monte Grappa. That is the hardest stage of this Giro. Monte Grappa is a one-hour climb.
“In the following few days, it’s going to be vital to race sensibly and wait on your second. I labored onerous for this Giro and the objective was to complete on the rostrum however Rome remains to be far-off.”