The gloves are off at the 2017 Giro d'Italia.

After weeks of racing and the main rivals remaining civil through some dicey situations, tempers were running high on Thursday after the completion of Stage 18. Angered by a lack of cooperation from Nairo Quintana and Vincenzo Nibali, race leader Tom Dumoulin expressed his frustration to the press after the stage.

"I hope that Nibali and Quintana will lose their podium spots because of only focusing on me," Dumoulin said.

When GC contenders began to attack and ride away up the final climb, Dumoulin was forced to do all the work while Quintana and Nibali sat on his wheel. Quintana defended his actions by saying that Dumoulin "didn't want them to take too much time. We left the responsibility on him, and in the end, he didn't take time on us, either." 

A valid point and his logic almost makes sense... almost.

There are only two remaining mountain stages, and it's no longer clear that Quintana has the ability to distance Dumoulin on the climbs. His 30-second deficit is only that close as a result of Dumoulin's infamous "dump." The Movistar rider can't afford to be content with staying on the race leader's wheel. Quintana needs to build up a considerable advantage before the time trial on the final stage to have any hope of winning the pink jersey this year.

Speaking with journalists after hearing Dumoulin's comment, Nibali responded by saying, "I don't care what Tom said. I think he is being too cocky. He is talking too much. He could also lose the podium, because nothing is sure in this Giro. Maybe he should keep his feet on the ground. Does he know what karma is? Because everything comes around."

Nibali's lack of success in taking time back from Dumoulin certainly hasn't been for a lack of trying. The Italian has raced aggressively and made repeated attempts to attack the pink jersey over the past week. Unfortunately for the Bahrain Merida rider, none of his efforts have stuck. Based off of his post-race demeanor, it appears to be taking a toll on his morale.

What does all of this mean? Fans should receive an incredible show through the final two mountain stages. Don't expect any cooperation between the three rivals. With tight gaps in the standings, any of the riders in the top 5-7 of the general classification have a legitimate shot at a podium finish. Emotions are peaking with time running out to make a move for the pink jersey. Ultimately, Quintana and Nibali can respond to the press all they like, but until they can respond on the bike, Dumoulin remains king of the 2017 Giro.

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