"Carapaz was unbelievably strong" - Tom Pidcock bows down to former Olympic Champion's daring attack

The second day of the second week at the Giro d'Italia didn't have a specific favourite, and it ended being as chaotic of a day as one could expect. This could've on paper favoured Tom Pidcock, but the Briton could only follow the GC riders and watch as former teammate Richard Carapaz launched an explosive attack to conquer stage 11.

The Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team rider was not one of the main favourites for the day, but that was because most expected a breakaway to succeed on the day. However this was not what happened, after several teams commited to chase the front group. The Swiss team, after seeing the opportunity, was one of them.

"When we saw the race was in reach we and Trek started to ride," Pidcock said in a post-race interview. "I went to Marco [Frigo] and they got me back up after I got dropped on that climb". After San Pellegrino, Pidcock could enjoy some terrain where he had better chances of riding with the very best.

The possibility certainly was there, but Pidcock could not respond to the winning attack. "We went for the stage but Carapaz was unbelievably strong there. At the top we were pacing it, but the way Carapaz went up that climb was impressive". Pidcock sprinted then to fourth on the day, another near miss, a result that won't satisfy him.

"That was tough. It's one of those days where we have non-GC days where everyone goes all-in [...] But in the end, as you say, it was a breakaway day that turned into a GC day". Although the GC is unlikely to be a goal, with this performance Pidcock climbed back into the Top15, winning back a position on Chris Harper. Stage 13 to Monte Berico will be a golden opportunity for him to fight for a victory.