TRUE to his now famously smiling nature, Esteban Chaves is feeling no pressure. Nor is he making any extravagant promises or predictions.

The rising Colombian cyclist is running second in the Giro d’Italia, needing to make up 2 Min 12 sec on the surprise leader, Holland’s Steve Kruijswilk, in the last six stages to give the Australian team Orica-GreenEDGE its first Grand Tour victory in five years of existence.

The prize will probably be won and lost in the two difficult stages in the Alps on Friday and Saturday before the race finishes in Turin on Sunday.

Both riders are powerful climbers who will be suited by the unforgiving nature of this showdown, and both are in impressive form and showing no signs of tiring.

With Italian champion Vincenzo Nibali and Spanish star Alejandro Valverde also still in contention, a dramatic denouement is in sight.

Can Chaves do it? “I don’t know,” he said. “But I will try.” So what’s the plan? “There isn’t one, mate. I just have to do it right.”

Chaves, 26, has become a star in three countries — his own, his adopted Australia and Italy — because of his gregarious personality and willingness to engage with fans and the media.

He drew a large contingent — including more Colombian reporters than have ever been seen at the Giro — to a multilingual interview opportunity at the team’s hotel during Monday’s final rest day.

“This is an important moment because Orica-GreenEDGE gave me a chance,” he said, referring to the team’s willingness to gamble on his capacity to fully recover from career-threatening injuries sustained in a race crash four years ago.

But, he said, there were more important things in life than a bike race, including family. So he does not put pressure on himself and nor does the team do it for him.

“It is a beautiful team and Australia has a beautiful culture,” he said. “The cultures of Australia and Colombia are a good combination. They are similar. I am enjoying my work here and am very happy.”

Chaves said he had learned from last year’s Spanish Vuelta, where he finished an impressive fifth, announcing himself as a contender for future Grand Tours, something OGE has never had.

“It was a different situation there because there are a lot of Colombians in Spain and maybe I pushed too hard in the beginning. Here at the Giro, there are not so many Colombians — and in the beginning, not too many journalists. Now …”

Now, he was trying to say as he gestured to the crush around his exercise bike, he has become big news, especially at home, where cycling is the second most important sport behind soccer. There are five others from the mountainous South American nation contesting the Giro, while their No. 1 rider Nairo Quintana — the Giro winner two years ago — will be among the favourites for the Tour de France in July.

OGE know the man in the leader’s pink jersey will be hard to crack but are quietly confident.

“We can look forward to some hard stages and competition in the last week,” said sports director Matt White. “There are thousands of metres of climbing to come and lots of racing but we are super happy to be in this position.”

You can contact this reporter at email ron.reed@news.com.au or on Twitter @Reedrw.