'There's still a lot of suffering to come' - Derek Gee-West climbs up the Giro d'Italia standings in Carí

Derek Gee-West demonstrated his credentials as a strong third-week Grand Tour contender during the mountain stage finish in Carì, Switzerland, at the Giro d’Italia. The Canadian rider for Lidl-Trek finished fifth on stage 16, closely contesting with the leading climbers and advancing to sixth place overall in the general classification. This marked a significant improvement from just days earlier when he had been dropped on a previous mountain finish, signalling his growing strength as the race enters its most demanding phase. Gee-West’s performance on the Carì climb was marked by resilience and tactical acumen. Despite being unable to match the explosive attacks of some rivals, he managed to close the gap in the final kilometre and maintain a strong pace to secure valuable time gains. He moved ahead of several key competitors, including Giulio Pellizzari and Ben O’Connor, both of whom suffered significant time losses. Gee-West’s nearest challenger in the GC remains Michael Storer, highlighting the competitive nature of the battle for the top positions. Reflecting on his efforts, Gee-West expressed cautious optimism, acknowledging the physical toll of the race while noting encouraging signs in his form. He admitted that the pain intensifies as the race progresses but emphasised the importance of maintaining consistency and confidence. His previous Grand Tour performances, including a top-ten finish in the 2024 Tour de France and multiple stage breakaways in past Giros, underline his status as a rider capable of enduring the rigours of three-week racing. Looking ahead, Gee-West is aware that the toughest challenges are yet to come, with stages 19 and 20 expected to be particularly decisive. He anticipates continued suffering but remains focused on sustaining his position and possibly improving further before the race concludes in Rome. His measured approach and evident strength suggest he could be a significant player in the closing mountain stages of this year’s Giro d’Italia.