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Unlike the Tour de France, which has been the playground for an unbeatable Team Sky in recent years, the Giro d’Italia has retained a certain unpredictability in the battle for an overall winner. 

The severe mountain stages coupled with the challenges of late spring alpine weather can make the late July parade through France appear almost tame at times. While Chris Froome remains the favorite for this year’s Giro, late-race GC shakeups are a common theme in recent history. Here are five dark horse riders who are in with a shot at the title.

1. Esteban Chaves

Esteban Chaves conceded the maglia rosa to Vincenzo Nibali on the penultimate stage of the 2016 Giro d’Italia, but the young Colombian won the hearts of countless fans throughout the final week of the tour. Chaves took everyone by surprise by very nearly getting the best of all the pre-race favorites. His ability combined with his ever-smiling demeanor made him an instant crowd favorite. 

Chaves returns to the Giro, after an absence in 2017, as a rather unknown quantity. He kicked off the year by winning the Herald Sun Tour but has remained relatively anonymous in recent months. His Australian Mitchelton-Scott team is well-poised with both Chaves and Simon Yates in potential leadership positions. All that remains to be seen is whether Chaves has the form to one-up his second-place finish in 2016.

2. Domenico Pozzovivo

Pozzovivo appeared to be on flying form at the recently concluded Tour of the Alps, where he finished second overall. The diminutive Italian veteran was ever-present at the front of affairs throughout the week, with no attack from the favorites able to shake him. Pozzovivo has a consistent track record of top-10 finishes in his home grand tour, but the display he put on in the Alps suggests he may be on the hunt for the best Giro placing of his career.

3. Jarlinson Pantano

Pantano is a particularly aggressive racer who turned heads with multiple breakaway performances in the 2016 Tour de France. The Colombian has a sparse GC palmares, but he can get over a climb and is handy in time trials. Whether Pantano rides for GC or settles on stage hunting, he will be a dynamic rider to watch.

4. Carlos Betancur

Betancur is one of those riders who always seems to come into his own on the most severe climbs of a race. He usually plays second fiddle to the likes of Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana. In truth, he is rarely talked about until the announcers begin to wonder who the second Movistar rider is that has managed to make the final selection. Movistar is saving Mikel Landa, Nairo Quintana, and Alejandro Valverde for a three-pronged assault on the Tour de France in July, which may give Betancur his chance to shine.

5. Tanel Kangert

Kangert is one of the many options Astana will be taking to the Giro d’Italia. The Kazakh team has been on fire recently with a dominant show of strength at the Tour of the Alps and two wins in the Classics. Kangert will be joined by Miguel Angel Lopez, Luis Leon Sanchez, and Pello Bilbao, all of whom have are on flying form. The depth of Astana’s roster will allow them to race aggressively on the climbs throughout the race. Any of these riders could feasibly gain crucial time throughout the three-week tour.