The Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates) He attacked in the first stage of the Giro d’Italia, showing the stripes of the only favorite until the final victory. He didn’t get the prize because the Ecuadorian Jonathan Narváez (Ineos) and the german Maximilian Schachmann (Bora) passed him in the last sprint.
But the second phase, between San Francesco al Campo and Santuario di Oropa, left no room for mortal reaction. In the first high finish of the race, Pogacar reached the finish line alone, also wearing the ‘pink jersey’. At 25 years old, the 71st victory of his remarkable career.
In the 11.8 kilometer climb, 4.4 to the top, he left everyone sitting. One of the powerful attacks. The Welshman tries from behind Geraint Thomas (Ineos) and the Australian Ben O’Connor (Decathlon), but there is no possibility of catching up with the best or the speed. On the contrary, they should look behind them. And the ‘Aussie’ paid for that effort later.
Pogacar arrived with a 27″ lead over the Colombian Dani Martinez (Bora), the British Geraint Thomas (Ineos), the Italian Lorenzo Fortunato (Astana) and German Florian Lipowitz (Bora).
The Spanish Juanpe López (Lidl Trek) He was ninth, 35″ behind the Slovenian.
Pogacar He has the reaction of champions. He was hurt that he didn’t win the day before, he was even more motivated after the anger he felt before starting the climb to Oropa’s Sanctuary. In the town of Viella, 11.2 km. from the finish line, he fell to the ground, while his team car stopped just meters from his bike lying on the ground.
The Slovenian had long ago raised his hand to warn of the hole in the rear tire, which tire ended up saying enough and took the runner with it, kissing the ground. He rose like a flash, furious. It took him several kilometers to get back to the head of a peloton at full acceleration with the Ineos ahead.
The UAE ended up taking over, making way for an impressive Pogacar, ready to cannibalize this Giro. The one from his debut. You have the first one. In many, except for one serious incident.
Two days in, he already has a 45″ advantage over Geraint Thomas and Dani Martínez. Juanpe López was seventh at 1’09”.
The stage started with a fast breakaway of six Italians: Christian Scaroni (Astana), Andrea Piccolo (EF Education), Davide Bais (Polti Kometa), Filippo Fiorelli and Martin Marcelussi, both from Bardialli.
It’s theirs Andrea Piccolo, only 22 years old, which lasted until the last climb. He won the InterGiro, and embarked on a solo adventure to show his quality, even though he knew that behind him the peloton wanted to fight with the great heavyweights of the race.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
