With no time-trialling remaining, and 22,000m of climbing scheduled for the final week, Carapaz is now arguably the race favourite.

Isaac Del Toro’s lead was reduced to 26 seconds ahead of British rider Simon Yates and 31 seconds ahead of Richard Carapaz.

Unlike the 21-year-old, Carapaz has been here before; he knows what it takes to win big. While those around him played the