Richard Kalapas turned 29 on the final stage of the 2022 Giro d'Italia around Verona. His celebration may have been bittersweet after being so far from victory that Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) took the maglia rosa, but after the final podium ceremony, he was still smiling and had few regrets about his race.

Three years ago, Calapaz became the first Ecuadorian to win the Giro d'Italia, and now Hindley is the first Australian to win the Trofeo Infinito.

"I don't feel sad. I'm actually very happy," Kalapas insisted.

"I've been a professional for years and have proven that I can be at the highest level, and this was no exception. Personally, I am very, very happy to have finished second in the Giro d'Italia.

"I'm making do with second place because there is only one person who can win. While I'm still here, I'm going to try to win. The most important thing is that I did what I love most on my birthday."

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Carapas gave it his all right up to the end in the Verona time trial, finishing an impressive 10th place. He was cheered on by the many Ecuadorian fans who gathered in the amphitheater in Rome, where he was welcomed by his wife and young children. In the final overall standings, Karapas finished 1:18 ahead of Hindley, with Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious) rounding out the podium at 3:24 behind.

Kalapas battled with Hindley until midway through the race, when the two were separated by a few seconds in the opening time trial and time bonuses. Hindley won the mountain finish at Brockhaus, but on the steep hill in Turin on stage 14, Kalapas won the Maria Rosa by 15 seconds over Hindley.

He and Ineos Grenadiers worked hard to defend the jersey, but ultimately the 2022 Giro d'Italia came down to the last 3.5 km of the steep Marmolada climb to the finish on stage 20. When Hindley accelerated, Kalapas could not keep up with him and suffered for his efforts.

"The whole race was very hard and very competitive," Kalapas explained.

"Yesterday [Saturday] was a terrible day. It wasn't my day and that made a small difference. But in the end Hindley won.

Kalapas has now competed in nine Grand Tours and has five top three finishes. He insisted he is still learning and trying to improve.

"There is a lot to keep working on," he said, partially indicating where he might have lost in the 2022 Giro d'Italia.

"It was a pretty weird Giro, with the heat and some of the moves, but in general, as I said, it was a pretty competitive Giro.

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Truth be told, this is not a bad thing. It gives you the strength to come back again."

Karapas is not a member of the Ineos Grenadiers of the Tour de France. He will return to Ecuador before leading the Ineos Grenadiers in the Vuelta a España.

"I now have a second goal, Buela, but first I need to rest.

Karapas also has to decide on his future plans, as his contract with Ineos Grenadiers ends this year.

He could remain with Ineos Grenadiers, but has also been rumored to be with Movistar and Arkea Samsic. He is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks and officially announce his team change after the UCI deadline of August 1,

although he is not expected to be in a position to make a decision until the end of the year.