Juan Pedro Lopez fought through the next stage of the Giro d'Italia on Friday to keep his hopes of winning the best young rider's white jersey alive.

The 24-year-old Spaniard has been fighting every day since winning the maglia rosa on stage 4 on Mount Etna. The Trek-Segafredo rider then switched to defending the top 10, and Lopez has kept the white jersey since Joan Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) left the race with COVID-19 before stage 18.

He is also in ninth place overall, 15:29 behind Giro d'Italia race leader Richard Kalapas (Ineos Grenadiers).

Perhaps more riders are spending more distance on the attack and earning more ranking points, but no one is more fatigued than Lopez. Yet he continues to fight and race.

"I've been fighting all the way in the Giro so far. I've given 100% every day," he said after overcoming fatigue on stage 19 in Santuario di Castelmonte and wearing the clean white jersey on the podium.

"I've never been in a situation like this before in my life, but I'm very happy. I'm happy for the team and I'm happy for everyone helping me."

Lopez turned fatigue into positive energy and a lesson for every day of Grand Tour racing, and while the memories of the 2022 Giro d'Italia may have been painful at first, they will certainly help him in future overall battles.

"I actually feel good. I'm learning something every day. For now and for the future," he says, wise beyond his years.

Lopez leads Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) by 5:11, with Pavel Sivakov (Ineos Grenadiers) in third at 18:32. on the roads of Friuli. He dropped to fourth at 28:55, more than 20 minutes behind Lopez.

Now Lopez only has one more day to fight and suffer, especially on Saturday's long, steep climb to the Marmolada Glacier.

"I can't say I've won the jersey yet," he admitted.

"I want to give 100% tomorrow. I'm going to give 100% tomorrow and see what happens."

"It's going to be a big fight, I'm sure.

"I feel like I'm draining my energy, but I'll give it my all on the last climb. I still feel mentally strong and I'm ready for one last hard day."

"Santiago Buitrago is my big rival. May the best player win!"

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