FALZES/PFALZEN--After almost 3,000km of racing, there is still no way to be sure of who will wear the Maglia Rosa (pink jersey) at the end of this year's Giro d'Italia.

 Currently, Spain's Joaquim Rodríguez leads the general classification, but little more than two minutes separates the top 10, meaning that victory could just be a well-executed climb away for several of the race's serious contenders.

 Whoever dons the famous shirt come Sunday, they will have had to pull off at least one flawless ascent, because the race's remaining landscape is mountainous. Between now and Sunday's final individual time-trial around the centre of Milan, lie the legendary alpine climbs of the Mortirolo and the Stelvio, and not for the first time in the
history of this great race those intimidating, almost impossible climbs will decide who gets the glory.

 Rodríguez remains one of the favourites, but with Canada's Ryder Hesjedal only 30 seconds behind the Catalan and Italy's Ivan Basso, Paolo Tiralongo and Michele Scarponi all within another minute of that, it's still anyone's race.

 While some still question his condition, of all the contenders it is Basso who has priors in this sort of situation. Back in 2010, when he won the general classification, an outstanding climb on the tortuous Mount Zoncolan and a solid final week performance saw him overtake another Spaniard, David Arroyo, who had dominated until that point.

 Hesjedal, meanwhile, is a good all round rider who can climb and is known to be combative, and won't be afraid of a fight should he see an opportunity for pink in the mountains. Should the Canadian win, it would no doubt do the race some good in North America, where it trails in popularity to the Tour de France. Since its inception, only one non-European has won the race, America's Andrew Hampsten back in 1988.

 Hampsten was a one-time teammate of the legendary Greg LeMond, who by becoming the first American winner of the Tour de France did wonders to popularise both the French race and cycling in general in North America. The same boom effect was seen during the Lance Armstrong years, and Hesjedal will be hoping to have the same influence.

 Scarponi has not really delivered on pre-race expectation, but the man from Marche will still want to win outright, having been awarded last year's title by default following Alberto Contador's doping conviction, and could still threaten if he has the legs for the Stelvio.

 Both Rodríguez and Hesjedal could burn out, however, having been the only two of the serious contenders to have really pushed themselves at some point. Surging uphill finishes – exactly the sort of thing that the Spaniard enjoys – have allowed Rodríguez to stay in pink, as have the extra time bonuses offered for such stage wins. Whether he has the legs for the final days remains to be seen, but the aforementioned bonuses accrued could be pivotal, as without them he'd only lead by a few seconds. Likewise, Hesjedal has attacked to remain in contention, and could have little left come Saturday on the Stelvio.

 Basso, meanwhile, has been comparatively lethargic, although this could just be a clever ploy from the experienced Italian. The main man in his operation, he's put his Liquigas-Cannondale team on the front to set pace throughout this year's Giro, forcing the other teams – and his competitors – to work harder than they otherwise might.

 The Lombard has won the Giro twice – 2006 and 2010 – and is a master in these situations. Considered among the best climbers of his generation, on his day there is no one better on a climb like those he'll face Friday and Saturday, and with the entire Liquigas-Cannondale team at his disposal, assuming he's playing it safe rather than simply out of gas, he seems perfectly placed for a dramatic 11th hour grab for the title. “The climbs [so far] have not been appropriate terrain to attack,” Basso told the press last week.

 “Right now, we have been avoiding trouble and limiting our losses. What is seconds of difference now will be minutes in the final week. The key to this Giro is to be strongest in the final week.”

 With only days to go, exactly who is strongest in this final week is still as clear as mud. Which should make for some compelling viewing.