It was 2019 when Richard Carapaz in Verona raised the Endless Trophy, writing an important page for his country, because he was the first rider from Ecuador to win a grand tour. In 2022 he returned to the pink race, finishing second behind Hindley and then a long absence until this year, where he came with the intention of bringing the pink jersey back to Ecuador.

"In the end, I have a team that came to the Giro with the intention of winning, we've been working on this since October and we're proving it - Carapaz said during the press conference - we have a very, very clear objective and there are still two weeks left to reach the end. The second week has just begun and we know the third will be even more important and decisive for everyone: we'll be there".

Today Carapaz showed he meant business and decided to attack in a stage that could have put the overall contenders in difficulty. "I think that when Ineos started, their intent was to make a selection, but in the end there were also many UAE riders who prevented it. The race was very hard and a quite clear selection was made, and in the end it was a reduced group fighting for the stage. This was our great opportunity, we knew how to exploit it until the end. I tried to play my cards and it went very well".

Ciccone and Pidcock in their statements said they were surprised by Carapaz's attack and perhaps this is exactly what facilitated the Ecuadorian to reach his goal. "I think everyone had understood that we had an opportunity. I couldn't count too much on the team, I only had Georg (Steinhauser, ed), who did an excellent job. We knew it could be a good stage for us, and well, in the end we played our cards and did our best".

Latin America is doing very well and besides Carapaz, Egan Bernal has returned to the spotlight and Isaac Del Toro is wearing the pink jersey.
"South American riders are performing very well. We've seen a Bernal who has recovered very well and launched many attacks and we've seen him present. I'm very happy for him because, in the end, what he suffered was truly significant and I feel great admiration for what he's doing. We also see Del Toro defending the pink jersey very well. We still have more than a week ahead of us and I think it will be exciting for everyone".

Carapaz wants to do well, but regarding winning the Giro d'Italia for a second time, he admits that legs and a lot of luck are needed and only further ahead will it be possible to understand what goal will truly be achievable. "I know I have good legs and can be at the level of the other leaders on the climbs. I think the race will put everyone back in their place, so at the moment we are in an excellent position and we will try to give our best. I like to think about the fans in Ecuador. I hope they are enjoying themselves and following me and I want to greet them all".