Carapace: "Last week was a favor for me, I will give everything for the ‘pink jersey’"

The Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz (Ineos), ‘pink jersey’ of the Giro d’ItaliaConsidering that the race is entering its most favorable terrain and hopes to defend first place fully, 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 |.

“This has been a very difficult week. Bora controlled on Saturday in a short stage, of the classic kind, but now there are stages with a long climb, with more inequality. I am calm, and with the team I am ready for what is to come, ”Carapaz said on the third day of the Giro break.

The cyclist from Carchen, winner of the Giro in 2019, is confident in the route, in his team and in the motivation provided by wearing a pink jersey.

“Last week was in my favor, I focused my preparation for the mountain, and we also had a ‘pink jersey’, which was an added motivation for me and the team. There are many Giro left, but I am motivated and I will give everything to defend it, ”he said.

for the Ecuadorian “The key to the Giro is undoubtedly that these stages are coming, starting tomorrow, with Mortirolo on the route”.

“The open stage is very difficult, with more than 5,000 meters of elevation. The fatigue will be noticeable, and in the later stages there will be no peace of mind, so it is necessary to concentrate every day.”

For Carapaz, the team’s role will be important in the mountain stages, beyond the weather factor, as he is not afraid of possible rain this Tuesday.

“If it rains tomorrow I don’t know what will happen, with the change of weather I have no problem. If it rains, it’s better, and if the heat continues as well. The performance of the team will be more important, because being alone in the race has a big influence, but we have Porte, Sivakov, Castroviejo … we are the majority in the peloton. This week will be important because of the mountain stages, having teammates by your side gives you confidence “, he commented.

Carapaz, who moved to the hotel after Sunday’s stage, compared the Giro conditions he won in 2019 to current conditions.

“This is a different kind of Giro, now I have more experience and a strong team behind me. We know that the pink jersey is achievable. In 2019 we are not too sure. I feel better than facing this decisive week, ”he explained.

Regarding rivals to consider, Carapaz continues to consider Australian Hindley, Portuguese Joao Almeida and Spanish Mikel Landa as candidates.

He also wanted to clarify about the time trial on Sunday in Verona that the result will depend “on these 4 days in the mountains”

Carapaz emphasized the added morale and serenity provided by seeing his family, along with his two children, and friends following the Giro d’Italia close to him. “It was great to see my family and all the compatriots who are residents or come from Ecuador to follow me into the race.“, he concludes.