Eddie Dunbar has said he was now going into somewhat unknown territory on the final week of Giro d'Italia and is plan was continued riding the way he has been defending his general classification position.
Now sitting 8th overall, at the start of the tough final week of this race, Dunbar (Team Jayco AlUla) said he expected the "fireworks" to starting exploded on the final climb of today's stage to the summit finish.
"I think it's not going to happen until the last climb, so you might have a couple of hours to wait," he said. "But, yeah, I think today there might be some bit of fireworks. I think that’s what everyone is hoping for, some fireworks.
"That last 100k is pretty brutal really, 5,000 metres of climbing. I think it will show the men from the boys today. I think it'll really set in stone the GC for the next few days. Today and Friday are the stand-out days. If someone wants to take time they have to race today, simple as.
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"Some guys come out of a rest day good, some guys suffer a little bit. But I think the organisers have been kind enough this year that we're not straight into a climb off a rest day. We have 60k to warm up so I think a lot of guys be thankful of that."
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As for his own prospects of staying in the top 10, or moving higher as seems more likely, Dunbar said he felt good.
"I feel OK. It's a bit unknown, in my second Grand Tour going into the last week is a bit uncertain. all I can do is keep doing what I've been doing and after that, there's not much more I can do really, it's up to the road to decide."
Also speaking before the start of today's stage - some 203km from Sabbio Chiese to Monte Bondone - 2nd placed overall Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) said he expected time gaps today.
"I think the race has been warming up to this week really and it's a tough mountain stage so… it's a tough finish and I'm sure there'll be some gaps, I would have thought."
The Welshman said given the stages to date, and the wet conditions, he was not surprised the general classification situation had been so controlled so far. But now there was a very tough week to come towards the finish in Rome on Sunday.
"I think the race will explode this week, for sure," he said, adding his team had both Laurens De Plus and Thymen Arensman 9th and 10th overall and could look to them as attacking options in the general classification battle.
