Without the support of the local riders, the stars would struggle to shine. Some cyclists chase victories, others ride to shave seconds at key stage points with steady ease. The domestiques stand ready, lending their bikes, swapping wheels, tending to urgent mechanicals, fueling the team’s rhythm with energy, and guiding the group up the climbs to protect their leader and claw back minutes. That is the role they play. There is no one else who can perform it with the same precision.
But like any great unit, there is also a trusted ally, a loyal ally who rarely gets to step back from the fight. In the Giro, Jorge Arcas from Aragon embodies that rare mix of fidelity and grit as he chases his first victory amid Naples’ demanding routes. It comes with a price, no doubt, a costly pursuit in any race calendar.
cyclist from Aragon
Hailing from Sabiñánigo, Arcas grew up on two wheels and has long carried the Movistar banner with a steady, relentless pace. He is a resilient rider, seasoned by a Tour and three Tours, one of which he left due to a fall. He has faced tough rivals like Mathieu van der Poel and Thomas De Gendt, with Naples among the venues where his effort shone. Early in the race, he tried to steal a few minutes away from the main squad where Juanpe López wore the pink jersey, and he delivered a reply that surprised even the strongest contenders. Van der Poel loomed as one of the fiercest opponents among the twenty starters, all hoping to win. The race proved elusive to many, underscoring how demanding a victory can be, especially when a rider is a dependable teammate. Three major stage wins have tested his resolve as he crossed the line in third, a testament to the stubborn reality that breakthroughs are hard won for the domestique as well as the star rider.
LAST KM / STAGE 8
This is a mental game; it requires a cool head and unwavering nerve. Watch the last kilometer unfold and feel the pressure rise as the road narrows and the finish line draws near. A nod to the riders who keep their nerve and execute when it matters most, even as fatigue gnaws at the legs.
— Giro d’Italia coverage note from ItalyNFT_art and the ongoing moments captured in the race imagery.
In the coming Sunday, Arcas will contend with rivals such as Alexander Valverde and Iván Sosa. He must show his climbing prowess on brutal ascents like Blockhaus, a mountain that can make or break a Giro. The climbs demand a display of speed, strategy, and stamina, reminding fans that a rider’s standing is forged in the grueling miles and the decisions made at the peak. The ascent becomes a theater where battles are won not only by raw power but by clever positioning and the willingness to push beyond limits. This moment invites rivalries to flare, and the sport reveals its true character—the rider who marries precision with fearlessness often prevails.
little quiet week
Such calm can feel deceptive in a race like the Giro. The week has moved at a steady tempo, offering relief to those focused on the overall standings while others hide in plain sight, plotting their next moves. The peloton tends to hush the drama until the third week, when the real hotspots emerge and the race intensifies. This Sunday, a touch of emotional electricity returns as the route heads toward challenging terrain. Blockhaus looms, the Giro tightens, and the Tours and Vuelta fields loom in the distance with their own threats. Before Planche des Belles Filles, it helps to scan the early Giro days: a time trial, a windy bridge, a sprint, a steep slope, and cobblestones that threaten to split the peloton into many pieces. Excluding Etna, a hint of salt remains in the week’s opening action as Juanpe López and the squad prepare for what lies ahead on the road.