INEOS expecting Carapaz to be "decisive in the crucial moments"

Richard Carapaz came to the Giro d'Italia as one of the main favourites, and has so far ridden a consistent race in which INEOS Grenadiers have controlled the summit finish at Mount Etna and have managed to keep the Ecuadorian safe during the flat stages that at times prove deadly for the overall classification contenders.

He sits 11th at the start of stage seven, which can be quite explosive and will be perhaps the first real challenge for the overall contenders as many rode up the Sicilian volcano comfortably at the pace of the British team. With Pavel Sivakov having lost over a minute on stage four, INEOS further showed their focus in a sole-leader strategy - despite Richie Porte having led the group during the final kilometers, and on paper remaining a possibility for the GC.

Salvatore Puccio has told BiciPro that "Richard is a very reserved guy but he's also very sure of himself. And he's very decisive in the crucial moments." Crucial moments so far in the race have not seemed to exist, with the main favourites for the overall classification remaining relatively united with the gaps of the Budapest time-trial currently the main differentiating factor.

With almost 5000 meters of climbing and several ascents of varying distances and gradients, today's stage to Potenza can be the race's first crucial moment if the race explodes on one of the many ascents on the 196-kilometer long day.