Yesterday at the departure Jacopo Mosca watched him closely, with the almost unshakeable certainty that “Juanpe” Lopez could keep the pink jersey. And when in the evening the masterpiece actually came true, despite the black crisis that hit Ciccone again, at the Trek-Segafredo There was a sense of mission accomplished. Perhaps only half accomplished, but accomplished nonetheless.
«We were lucky – he said the Piedmontese – because after Etna we had two quiet days in which the sprint teams worked. But since Friday, we've made up for it with interest. Having the pink jersey on the team is definitely a thrill.Juanpe is young, no one expected it, but he's very strong and we all definitely have better morale. He's sunny, he's a sight to behold. He's Spanish and it shows, extremely relaxed.. Nothing has changed, He's always the same... idiot as always. In a good way, of course! I'm struggling, though. I was hoping to be more brilliant, but I still managed to do my part. We'll see in the next few days, from the rest period to the next two stages, when maybe I'll be able to get myself fully settled. I have some goals to achieve..."
Jersey saved
To keep the pink jersey also on the Blockhaus (in the opening, his arrival at the top), Yesterday Lopez had to sweat out every drop he had left in his body. And when he was forced to restart from a standstill due to the fall in front of his wheels, He lost his nerve and risked throwing everything away.It was a moment of great tension, the same one he Pozzovivo spoke yesterday, with Porte acting as fans and the leading group all on the edge.
«It was difficult to maintain concentration – he explained – I had a second to refocus and tell myself to pace myself, to stay in pink another dayI was fine. The problem is that I was unlucky. I was close to falling, it was a difficult moment, especially psychologically. Then my head was back in the race at 100 percent and I fought for the pink jerseyI was afraid of losing her. My dream was to keep her one more day, and now it's come true. My ambition has always been to win, because if I wasn't a winner, I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't be a cyclist.We have 150-160 riders here fighting for the win. But ultimately, they're the same as they were a month ago."
After setting foot on the ground, Lopez's run up the Blockhaus was almost physically painful. But Lopez is still 24 years old and hasn't lost his proverbial good humor. Spanish scenarios: Lopez and "grandfather" Valverde: there's a 17-year age difference between the two
After setting foot on the ground, Lopez's run up the Blockhaus was almost physically painful. But Lopez is still 24 years old and hasn't lost his proverbial good humor. Spanish scenarios: Lopez and "grandfather" Valverde: there's a 17-year age difference between the two
Tears on Etna
The tradition of the Spaniards in the pink jersey is quite noble. Exactly 30 years ago, a man named Miguel Indurain, who had already won a Tour, came to Italy to win the first of the two Tours. But anniversary aside, the beauty of being 24 is that you can allow yourself to break away from certain comparisons.
«Everything is spectacular – he says – I'm definitely having the best days of my lifeI see the rankings and I can't believe it. It seems unreal. Little by little, I'm absorbing it, and it's a real blast. When I took the pink jersey on Etna, it was a moment of emotionIt's true that I was always thinking about winning the stage, but in the end I got the pink jersey and that was even better. When I reached the finish line and they told me, I couldn't believe it. That's why I cried for a long time.This team is like a family, I needed to hug someone and I did. On Etna and again yesterday on the Blockhaus, when I saved my jersey by 12 seconds. I have excellent relationships with the mechanics and masseurs. We spend a lot of time together away from home."
A bitter Blockhaus yesterday for Ciccone, who crossed the finish line 9'26" behind Hindley Colorful responses from the leader. Will you sleep in your pink shirt tonight? "No, definitely in your pajamas!"
A bitter Blockhaus yesterday for Ciccone, who crossed the finish line 9'26" behind Hindley Colorful responses from the leader. Will you sleep in your pink shirt tonight? "No, definitely in your pajamas!"
Pride and humility
Lopez has been talking about himself in recent days, for the benefit of the Italian public convinced that the only Lopez to watch in this Giro was the Astana one who instead arrived on Etna in the flagship, and then returned home.
«I grew up in the Fundacion Contador – he said – and Although there was never a shortage of anything in my house, there wasn't enough of it either.I wanted to work and have money for my expenses. I was ashamed to ask my parents for it. Not that I felt guilty, it's just that I didn't like asking because I knew the money was needed for other things. That's why I started working in the local pizzeriaI also worked with lime. That's how I started saving. My dream has always been to be a cyclist, but in the meantime I paid my own expenses without being a burden on my family. We are humble people, and I'm very proud of that.I've never lacked anything. And this pink jersey proves that, even if you're humble, if you work hard you can achieve your goal. It kind of proves that it can be done.I trained a lot to be here."
