«I've never been a winner, but I like to win. Yesterday Facebook sent me a reminder of when I won in La Spezia, seven years have passed. And if it hadn't been for a cramp with seven minutes to go, maybe I could have done it again..." Formolo gives a bitter smile as the bus closes its doors. and heads towards the next hotel of this very long journey which is the Tour of ItalyThird, two seconds behind at the finish line in Potenza, in a sprint that had in its own way already been heralded by the mountain categorisations that Bouwman had put in his pocket with evident superiority. Four Dutchmen and two Italians flee through the rugged mountains of Basilicata. Like a movie, a novel, or a joke.
«A great opportunity – says the Veronese of the UAE Team Emirates – But how could we fool them? There was only one way to crucify them. I easily followed their attacks and when the opportunity arose to go straight, the cramp arrived instead.I waited 200-300 meters for it to pass. I was even afraid I'd have to stop, but instead I pulled myself together, but by then we were at the top of the last climb and I knew it was going to be tough. We were going up to 35 miles an hour with the wind against us, it was difficult to go faster.».
Dumoulin's Awakening
On the day that marked the return to the top of Tom Dumoulin, who thus regained some positions in the rankings (he recovered 2'50”), Bad luck gave the two Italians in the breakaway (both chasing the sun and redemption) just enough to put them on footAnd if Villella was forced into a crazy chase due to mechanical problems, For Formolo, the moment of redemption finally seemed to have arrived After a first half of the season that could hardly have been more unfortunate. Instead, nothing...
Regret?
A little bit maybe yes, but the two Jumbo Visma were strong and similar in characteristics and above all they were expected, it was evidentThe only way to break away from them was to run in agreement with Mollema, but we never succeeded. In the end, when we were down to three, I was also happy with Dumoulin coming back, because he would have started shooting and maybe we could have made a breakaway, but it wasn't possible.
Were you looking for an escape this morning?
It wasn't easy to get her away, it took 70 kilometers. So when she left, we carried on with the energy that was left.I was looking for it. I even tried on Etna, but I was still too close in the standings for them to let me go. So I took the opportunity to take some time and gain the freedom to try again.On paper, I like the one in Naples tomorrow. But I'll see how I get there.
The final sprint followed the one for the Gipiemme, who gave Bouwman the blue jersey Successful operation for the two Dutchmen of Jumbo Visma Exhausted, but over the moon. Bouwman handled himself brilliantly, and in the end, the sprint was a no-brainer.
The final sprint followed the one for the GPMs, which gave Bouwman the blue jersey. Successful operation for the two Dutchmen of Jumbo Visma Exhausted, but over the moon. Bouwman handled himself brilliantly.
If nothing else, you're fine now...
Let's see. After the Tour of the Basque Country I got tendinitis in my knee and I haven't trained for a week. This year it all started with the wild boar who crossed my path in January, even with a broken hand. I returned to the Tirreno-Adriatico and managed to put together a decent amount of form to race the Sanremo. Then I caught the flu like everyone else and was in bed for a week.I trained for three days and then went to the Basque Country, which is the toughest race of the year for us, with narrow, steep climbs. And that's where I got tendinitis.
The least, after a week in bed…
Oh, exactly! This year I don't know what it means to trainAt home I'm with my family, because I'm sick. And then at the races I destroy myself. For sure, starting over with the Basques wasn't very healthy (grins bitterly, ed.) But I'll say one thing...
Exhausted at the finish line, Formolo however had confirmation of his improving condition Villella fifth in Potenza, despite a significant amount of bad luck: today he could have played his cards right Lopez kept the squad, even if for a while the lead virtually ended up in Bouwman's hands.
Exhausted at the finish line, Formolo however had confirmation of his improving condition Villella fifth in Potenza, despite a significant amount of bad luck: today he could have played his cards right Lopez retained the squad, even if for a while the lead virtually ended up in Bouwman's hands.
Come on!
If this is the leg, I'll take one stage awayI arrived in Budapest in better shape than I expected. The first day I had to help Ulissi and I did some damage by pulling too hardI pushed hard in the time trial to see how I was doing, and I didn't do badly. I was expecting more on Etna, but I don't have the legs of the best on climbs. I'm here to help Almeida, our leader, but we have our cards when neededFor now, I can play it like this. And I repeat: if I have this kind of leg, I'll take a step away.
