Simon Yates knows that everyone is waiting for him to crack in order to see the Giro d'Italia turn on its head.
The 25-year-old Brit of Mitchelton-Scott has dominated mountain stages so far, and counts three summit finish wins in the pink jersey and a 2-11-minute lead over his top rival Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).
"Everyone is waiting for me to have a bad day," Yates said during the final rest day.
>>> Tom Dumoulin: ‘Something remarkable has to happen for me to win the Giro d’Italia’
"The third week is extremely difficult regardless if you're in gruppetto, working or racing for the win. This is the hardest week of the sport regardless of the Grand Tour."
Yates is the first to win three stages in the pink jersey since Gilberto Simoni in 2003. He and his team dominated the summit finishes, with Esteban Chaves winning on Mount Etna before falling sick.
He has never raced so close to the top, previously placing sixth in the 2016 Vuelta a España and the 2017 Tour de France, but he remains pragmatic.
"I am relaxed, feel good, if I blow up and explode in final week, or lose five minutes tomorrow, we're fine with what I've done at the moment. If I cannot win, that's OK, I would not lose sleep."
On Tuesday, the Giro riders face the race's long time trial. Tom Dumoulin will look to overthrow Yates in the 32.4-kilometre time trial from Trento to Rovereto.
"I will do the best I can. I am expecting to lose a lot and that's why I have been so aggressive to try to take time in the mountains," Yates added.
"Tom is my biggest rival because he is the one who take the most out of me – other guys Thibaut Pinot, also Domenico Pozzovivo is no slouch in the time trial.
"I am one of the weaker time trial riders here among the GC guys, I am expecting to lose time, I knew that even before we started the race."
The race continues over terrain better suited to Yates over the next week. The race finishes uphill to Pratonevoso, Bardonecchia and Cervinia. The climbs could allow Yates to take back any time trial losses, but also potentially crack him and open the door to his rivals.
-
Giro d’Italia 2021: Simon Yates says he ‘wanted to try something but didn’t have the legs’The British star said he wanted to attack to improve on his podium place but couldn’t match Ineos Grenadiers
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Simon Yates believed Egan Bernal would let him go at Giro d’Italia after reading rival’s comments in media
The British climber said he had a feeling Ineos Grenadiers wouldn’t try to chase on stage 19
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Simon Yates reveals he was chasing the breakaway and didn’t realise Egan Bernal was dropped
The Brit gain timed on his rivals, but said he wasn’t trying to distance Bernal
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Five talking points from stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia 2021
Yates on the attack as Bernal slips back - key moments from a thrilling stage
By Alex Ballinger •
-
'Podium still within reach' for Simon Yates who accepts Giro d'Italia victory is beyond him now
Simon Yates concedes fighting for the maglia rosa and will now aim for the podium at the Giro d'Italia after losing time on stage 16
By Jonny Long •
-
Five talking points from stage 14 of the Giro d'Italia 2021
Bernal looks unstoppable, Yates on the attack, and a new Italian hero
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Simon Yates hints at problems in first week of Giro d’Italia 2021
The Brit launched his first attack of the race on Monte Zoncolan, moving up to second overall
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Simon Yates says riding Strade Bianche earlier this year helped him on stage 11 of the Giro d'Italia 2021
The British rider moved up to fifth overall after holding on to the likes of Egan Bernal until the final climb
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
