The Locomotive soars to GC contention

 

Richard Carapaz, nicknamed The Locomotive, proved to all as a serious general classification contender with a thrilling victory on stage 11, his first victory at the race since winning the Maglia Rosa in 2019.

The stage included 3,850 of elevation and a category one climb of Alpe San Pellegrino. With 10km to go, The Locomotive attacked, to win the Alpeninne stage and move from ninth to sixth place on GC. Isaac del Toro gained six seconds on most of his rivals, including teammate Juan Ayuso, by winning a sprint for second place and bonus seconds in Castelnovo ne' Monti. 

"I had good legs and I caught the opportunity to attack at the indicated moment. I found myself alone, so it's been a time trial for me till the finish line. I know time trialing isn't my forte. I saved everything I could. It's something special and emotional to win this stage because it comes after a lot of work and I wanted to please my family, my friends. I'll try to win the Giro."

-Richard Carapaz

"We started talking about the Giro already in September last year right after the Vuelta. The spring was not very good but he raised his hand and said, 'I'm going to prepare for the Giro. I'm going to be good, so believe I'm going to be there.

On the last climb, Richard asked how steep it was and we said it was regular until 1k before the top and to just follow your instinct and don't stop yourself and just go for. He decided to go. He had the momentum."

-Juanma Garate. Sports director.