The first time he set foot in Italy, Jan Hirt was 19 years old. A man from the Czech Republic had called Angelo Baldini, sporting director at the time of the Polish MG K-VisIt was 2010. The team was packed with strong Poles, including Gawronski, who would win the European Championship in Ankara in July, and Wisniowski, who rides for Ef-Easy Post. 12 years have passed since the boy from the Czech Republic entered the Marinella di Sarzana training camp and today that he won the Aprica stage of the Giro, in some ways the queen stage, his fluent Italian is an unexpected surprise.
In 2019 on the Mortirolo, Hirt surrendered to Ciccone and was second in Ponte di Legno Jan was born on January 21, 1991 in Trebic, Czech Republic. He has been a pro since 2015.
In 2019 on the Mortirolo, Hirt surrendered to Ciccone and was second in Ponte di Legno Jan was born on January 21, 1991 in Trebic, Czech Republic. He has been a pro since 2015.
«I like Italy – he says – when I was an amateur I raced for two years in Italian teamsI was 19. I love Italian culture, food, and nature. I like the Giro, which also suits me very wellI like its routes, the Dolomites and the Alps."
Little bird out of the nest
Angelo Baldini follows the Giro with RCS Sports e the final part of the stage saw him from 300 meters to the finish, before getting back in the car towards Lavarone. He's the one who welcomed him, and all in all, he's proud that someone remembered him.
At the start of Salò we saw Sonny Colbrelli again in the group Alejando Valverde was also seen in great evidence in the breakaway that took place during the stage.
At the start of Salò we saw Sonny Colbrelli again in the group Alejando Valverde was also seen in great evidence in the breakaway that took place during the stage.
«I'm not one to support riders – he smiles – but when he passed me, I screamed so loudly that my voice went out.He really had a great victory. He was an interesting boy, it was immediately clear that he had qualitiesHis misfortune was to find himself with that group of Poles who excluded the others. He came from a small village in the Czech Republic, he looked like a little bird that had just come out of the nest.He struggled to fit in, but he often came to my house, which is also why he speaks Italian so well. The problem, however, was that he didn't get along with the Poles, so at the end of the season he decided to leave and I didn't feel like keeping him. I think he moved to Italifine. I really had goosebumps today».
Beaten by Ciccone
Hirt is no longer a kid, he turned 31 at the end of January. Perhaps not everyone remembers that he is the Astana athlete beaten by Ciccone when he conquered the finish line in Ponte di Legno in 2019.Once again after the Mortirolo, which did him justice today. And when you know certain climbs, you learn to race them. An experience that Stove e Arensmann they didn't have and paid dearly for the violent outbursts on Santa Cristina.
"The Mortirolo I like it – he says – it's a climb in the history of the Giro. I've done it many times while running and it's really motivated me.I like it when the climbs are 10 percent steeper. It's okay if you're a little behind; you can catch up.
«I didn't know Santa Cristina, however – he smiles – I've never been there. But I knew it was steeper in the second partWe collaborated with Valverde and Carthy at the beginning. Then when Arensman also attacked I told myself that I couldn't wait any longer and I left trying to get back."
An unexpected season
And so theIntermarche-Wanty-Gobert bring home another victory from the Giro d'Italia which adds to the other 8 an unexpected season, but certainly not unexpected.
«We have a great atmosphere in the team – explains Hirt – I could say we are friends. And when you have a group of people that you also enjoy spending time with, you can achieve great successes.I think this is the most important thing. It's certainly the greatest victory in life. I used to be a rider serving great leaders in the mountains (Hirt rode for Astana for two years, working for Lopez and Fuglsang, ed.) At the Giro I always had a chance to break away and I always tried to take advantage of it. This year I'm more free, I'm also well preparedI won the Tour of Oman at the beginning of the season and it's nice to think about myself for once."
A month in Colombia
There are no secrets, in short. As for the preparation, it comes out at the end of this chat that Hirt spent almost a month before the Giro in Colombia, in Boyaca: the region of Quintana and Lopez.
Only since Santa Cristina, Hirt resisted the comeback of Arensman and won with a 7″ advantage With this sprint, Hindley snatched the time bonus from Carapaz and is now 2nd at 3″ Hindley pushed hard on Santa Cristina to distance Almeida Carapaz retained the pink jersey, although Hindley is now closer
Only since Santa Cristina, Hirt resisted the comeback of Arensman and won with a 7″ advantage With this sprint, Hindley snatched the time bonus from Carapaz and is now 2nd at 3″ Hindley pushed hard on Santa Cristina to distance Almeida Carapaz retained the pink jersey, although Hindley is now closer
«In the second part of Catalunya – he says – I got sick. I had a fever of 40, I stayed home for a week and when I started again, it was like starting again after the winter breakI was sure I'd regain my form at altitude, and I did. I don't think I know how to win. I'm just well-trained and I've lost a bit of weight. I think I'm in good shape, and I wanted to take advantage of it. The secret in these cases is not to give up and keep trying.The more times you try, the better your chances of winning.
«When I started to think that the stage was lost, I said to myself: “Just focus on pedaling. You don't get into the right breakaway very often, so try to do your best!” I haven't changed anything, I'm quite conservative. I change very few things, I don't like big changes."
Pozzovivo crashed on the first turns of the Mortirolo and lost ground. He's now sixth, 3:48 behind. The Lucanian pointed the finger at the brakes which did not work properly
Pozzovivo crashed on the first turns of the Mortirolo and lost ground. He's now sixth, 3:48 behind. The Lucanian pointed the finger at the brakes which did not work properly
For his country
The ending is a thought for his country. The Czech Republic no longer has many riders in the peloton, except for Barta, Stybar, Cerny and a few others.
"I'm certainly not the most famous cyclist in my country," Hirt says. "But I'm happy I was able to win for my people too. Cycling is very popular here." I hope this victory motivates the boys and push them to ride their bikes."
