For the second year in a row, Fabio Duarte will lead Colombia at the Giro d'Italia and this year he seems to be going a lot better than he was 12 months ago. After taking another top 10 result at the Giro del Trentino, the Colombian expressed his confidence in his form ahead of the grand tour.

The Giro del Trentino gets more demanding day by day, and Fabio Duarte keeps showing a good progression that bodes really well for a top-class Giro d’Italia, for him and the whole Team Colombia, after the good showing on their debut last year.

Cadel Evans (BMC) won the third stage atop Roncone uphill drag, strengthening his hold on the GC, Duarte constantly kept on with the top riders in the race, closing in 10th position (28 seconds behind the winner) and locking his top 10 in the overall standings as well.

Ahead of the final showdown to the Monte Bondone (with a 21 km uphill finish), Duarte sits in 7th place overall, 1.01 behind Evans, and could play his cards in a very uncertain final clash, with more than ten riders within a minute.

“It was a hard stage Even though we had Carlos Quintero in the breakaway that led the race until late in the stage," he said. "In the finale I was feeling well, had a moment of difficulty at 3 km to go and I have to make an effort to regain positions, so I spent some energy there. My condition heading to the Giro is much better than a year ago, and I fell satisfied and confident.”

Another important piece for Team Colombia at the Giro, Jarlinson Pantano provided a good performance for Team Colombia as well, finishing 2.20 behind the winner.

“Our team is growing day by day, Sports Director Valerio Tebaldi said. "I see their confidence, and I believe we will leave Trentino with a valuable result and good feedbacks on the team’s condition.

"Fabio feels well and got good chances also for the last stage. He has been preparing well, and if he can get to the Giro healthy and fit like he is now, we will have some good fun out there.”