PIAN DI CANSIGLIO – For the Giro Next Gen are the last pedal strokes before the final stage, from Tavagnacco to TriesteThe atmosphere in the group is particular: there are many teams still without a victory, the disqualifications have created a certain nervousness and the news of the death of Gino Mader It has shocked many, among staff and riders, close to the Swiss cyclistThe stage starts regularly from Possagno, in front of the spectacular Canova Temple. Before the start, it is necessary to observe A minute of silence: everything stops, the riders take off their helmets and their gazes are lost in the void., still wondering "why?".
Swiss response
The mood isn't the best, but we're off anyway. The race is proceeding regularly, but among those who believe in it and are trying in every way, there is a special person: Jan Christen. Jan is not even 18 years old, he is very young and he is at the Giro for the American Hagen's Berman AxeonIn his career, he has already won the national junior time trial championship in 2021 and 2022, and last year also won the European road race title. And as we've already mentioned, he is… promised to the UAE Team Emirates for four years starting next year. Jan and Gino Mader knew each other, they often trained together: both of them in fact have Swiss blood.
“I’m speechless,” says winner Jan Christen. “The victory means a lot to me. I didn't sleep much last night, because of what happened yesterday with Gino.He was a dear friend of mine, and I know his family well. Perhaps he gave me the strength to attack today. This victory is for him, I thought about him a lot during the whole stage.».
Pink policeman jersey
Ready, steady, go, and a twelve-man breakaway begins. The group doesn't give them much room, eventually catching them up right away. An unleashed Gil Gelders launches himself into the descent together with three other elements: their lead grows to almost three minutes. Behind the race is nervous, the group fears these attackers, so much so that to take control of the situation is the Johannes Staune-Mittet pink jersey in person who reaches out to reach the three fugitives.
It is at that point that Jan Christen understands the danger of the Jumbo-Visma man and he sets off alone with one kilometer to go before the mountain grand prixNo one can catch him, and he's the first to arrive on Pian del Consiglio. His leg, among other things, bears the marks of a fall. Johannes Staune-Mittet, meanwhile, is 13 seconds behind and increasingly in the pink.
A cross on the arm
Since this morning Jan Christen has wanted to remember Mader: on his right arm, he drew a cross with a black marker, just for GinoAt the finish line and during interviews, Jan often touched his arm, as if to say: "Gino, you're here with us, this victory is for you."
He raised his fingers to the sky and who knows what else he wanted to say. He leaned his bike against the roadside barriers and, even before hugging his companions and friends, he let out a liberating scream.
All the post-stage pleasantries are over, while the news from the Tour of Switzerland is bouncing around that Remco Evenepoel also won and dedicated the victory to Mader, between interviews, awards and ritual photos, Jan picks up the phone. The first thing he does is post a story on Instagram. A few words: his photo, his achievement and the dedication “this is for you Gino”, “this is for you Gino”, with a big red heart.
