Narváez gains ground in Giro points classification battle before Rome: 'I have to be 50 points ahead'

Before the start of stage 17, Narváez stressed that he needed to build a significant advantage ahead of the final stage in Rome, which is expected to finish in a bunch sprint.

“No, no, no, I'm not two points short, I'm 50 points short. I have to be 50 points ahead of the sprinters to win, because the last day is a good day for them,” Narváez said before the start of stage 17. 

With Narváez starting the day two points behind Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) in the points classification, joining the large 29-rider breakaway presented a major opportunity to reclaim the lead.

Things initially went to plan as the Ecuadorian champion won the intermediate sprint, but the breakaway later split, and Narváez was unable to make the decisive move.

Speaking after the stage, Narváez explained how he missed the key selection despite being among the favourites.

“Yeah, it was not easy. The first hour was really hard. I think I spent too much. But yeah, I think we are happy with the performance,” Narváez told reporters at the finish. 

Narváez was not the only big name caught out by the split, and he felt several of the strongest riders had been left behind.

“I think in the end, the strongest guys of the breakaway were behind. If you see Enric Mas was with me, [Giulio] Ciccone was with me, and yeah, we missed the group."

Narváez eventually finished ninth on the stage, 1:44 behind stage winner Michael Valgren, but still collected valuable points. As a result, he now leads the points classification by 12 points over Magnier, making the day’s work worthwhile.

“Yeah, of course, it was a success today. We take points. We have the jersey, and from now on we will go day by day. We know the stage of Rome is also important, but yeah, still days to go."

Stage 18 features another hilly parcours, offering Narváez a further opportunity to extend his advantage over Magnier before the sprinters are expected to come to the fore in Rome. The battle for the maglia ciclamino looks set to go down to the final stage.