Giro de Italia (14ª)

Ecuadorian -well supported by Movistar Team- finishes 13th atop most feared climb in 2018 Giro, two minutes behind Chris Froome (SKY); Betancur takes 14th.

The hellish ramps of the Monte Zoncolan (Cat-1; 10 kilometers at over 10% average) forced Richard Carapaz (Movistar Team) to deploy all of his skills and strength over the hardest climb and day so far in his maiden Giro de Italia appearance. The Carchí native grabbed 13th place at the top after a demanding 180km route -with four other rated ascents- where he responded with great commitment to the Telefónica-backed squad’s decided efforts to protect him.

De la Parte, Pedrero, Quintana, Sepúlveda and Fernández kept the Ecuadorian, as well as Carlos Betancur, well covered before the last climb. At the Zoncolan, the duo only lost contact with the GC group with 5km remaining, as only twelve riders were able to keep the pace. Joined at some sections by Fabio Aru (AST), Pello Bilbao (AST) or Patrick Konrad (BOH), the two Latin American riders measured their efforts the best they could to finish 2′ behind Chris Froome (SKY), whose attack with 3km to go awarded him a narrow victory against race leader Simon Yates (MTS).

The advantage achieved by Miguel Ángel López (AST), 4th at half a minute behind the winner, over Carapaz at the finish makes Richard momentarily lose his Maglia Bianca as top ranked under-26 rider in the race, now 7th overall at 3’56” -Betancur remains in 14th place-. Sunday, ‘Richie’ will have an opportunity to bounce back and continue fighting against the very best competitors in this Giro, just as brilliant as he’s done over the last two weeks. The Dolomites will see the peloton take on three Cat-2 ascents during the 176km route from Tolmezzo to Sappada.