Giro d'Italia surprise leader Juan Pedro Lopez confirmed on his second day of rest that while one major goal is to hold onto the pink jersey for as long as possible, it does not preclude other goals in the race.

After tenaciously defending his lead on the Brockhaus stage, Lopez built a 12-second advantage over Portugal's Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) heading into the second week of racing.

The million-dollar question is how long Lopez can hold on to Maria Rosa, who reminded the media on Monday that his first goal in the Giro was a stage win.

"Right now I'm in the pink. Of course, I want to keep it longer," Lopez said at Monday's rest day press conference. But a stage win would be great, and the white jersey (best young rider) is my goal. Of course, Almeida is also fighting for this class, though."

Lopez's goal of a stage win was all the more compelling because, in his fifth year as a professional, he has yet to win a single race.

Lopez has finished the Vuelta a España twice, finishing 13th in 2021. His future is uncertain: "Will he be able to make the Grand Tour podium this Giro d'Italia or beyond?

"I won't say if a podium is possible or not, but I will give 100% every day to get on the podium. It would be great to be on the podium, and if not, it's not a bad result. A top five overall would be a great result."

Lopez insisted that leading the second largest bike race in the world has not changed him as a person. I certainly enjoy every kilometer I'm in the jersey, though."

He also said that the race itself exceeded his expectations.

"Everyone said the Giro is the nicest race in the world. But after just a couple of kilometers in Hungary, with so many people on the roadside, I realized it was a very special race, so I got emotional and cried a little bit."

"For many reasons, this is the best race of my life.

But for all of Lopez's dedication to keeping the lead and the fun of the Giro as an event, his best day in the pink so far has been Monday's rest day.

"I rode my bike for an hour, came back and swam in the hotel pool. Best day of my life so far."