The strengths of Carapaz:

The experience of victory first, since the Tokyo Olympic champion has already entered his name on the Giro winners in 2019, under the colors of the Movistar team which he then left for Ineos with which he is at the end of contract at the end of the current season (will he stay?).

Then robustness.

Impervious to pressure but also to weather conditions, great heat or cold, and to altitude, the "Locomotive de Carchi", its region of Ecuador close to the Colombian border, presents reassuring guarantees for its training.

But his entourage, like the Australian Richie Porte, showed unexpected signs of weakness in the Turin stage on Saturday, when Hindley's Bora went on the offensive.

So far, Carapaz hasn't made a significant difference despite attacking on the road to Turin.

"I didn't expect two or three riders to come back," admitted the 2019 winner after the finish.

Richard Carapaz places an attack in the 14th stage of the Tour of Italy between Santena and Turin on May 21, 2022 Luca Bettini AFP / Archives

During the rest day on Monday near Lake Garda, the South American (28) wanted to be confident: "The last week has been favorable to us. The mountain stages are long and the role of the team will be important. We have the pink jersey and it is an additional motivation to defend it".

"I feel even better than in 2019," said the Ecuadorian.

"I really concentrated to be strong in the mountains. This week will surely be difficult but we are ready".

The rise of Hindley:

In two weeks, the Australian has established himself as the sole leader of the Bora team, which arrived from Hungary with three major assets.

But the Dutchman Wilco Kelderman lost all chance on arrival at the Blockhaus and the German Emanuel Buchmann then leveled off, unlike Hindley who gained momentum.

Winner at the Blockhaus after being left behind for a while, the Australian impressed on Saturday in the Turin stage with his ease and freshness.

Pointed 7 seconds behind Carapaz, he has the experience of the Giro 2020 on his side, when he lost the pink jersey during the time trial on the last day after a tactical mess by his team at the time (Sunweb which became DSM) unable to choose in the previous stages between him and Kelderman.

Australia Jai ​​Hindley during his victory at the Blockhaus ahead of Richard Carapaz at the end of the 9th stage of the Tour of Italy on May 15, 2022 Luca Bettini AFP / Archives

In his favor, Hindley (26) also has the support of a successful team, so far more consistent than the UAE of Almeida and Bahrain of Landa.

Even if the Portuguese has for him the advantage of the final time trial in Verona (limited however to 17.4 kilometers) and Landa his mountain qualities.

In this tiring Giro, according to Carapaz, the accumulation of fatigue is an essential factor.

Especially since the weather forecast announces rain for the final of the 16th stage leading to Aprica (with more than 5000 m of elevation gain), with the assumption that the cards will be reshuffled five days before the finish.

Vincenzo Nibali before the 15th stage of the Tour of Italy between Rivarolo Canavese and Cogne on May 22, 2022 Luca Bettini AFP / Archives

The "Squale", the Italian Vincenzo Nibali ("my form was not yet optimal at the start of the Giro", explained the Sicilian), is less than three minutes behind.

That's a lower outlay than he posted at the start of Week 3 in his 2016 win.

© 2022 AFP