TORINO - Tadej pogacar He didn't win. And that's already news, if only because of how his UAE Emirates he set the race. There are absolutely no long faces in the Slovenian clan, but that hint of bitterness hovers. And that's fine. Jonathan Narvaez he was faster in the sprint and cleverer in taking advantage of the Slovenian's slipstream and work.
Pogacar's teammates worked hard throughout the stage and losing by a hair's breadth is not a pleasant thing, especially since the pink jersey was also on the line. A sign that It wasn't (and won't be) as easy as everyone might have expected: fans, media, teams, and athletes.
A single follower
The good thing is that Pogacar and the UAE Emirates they entertained. They ran with their cards on the table right from the start, attacking from the first half.
"Will it be like this every day? Let's hope so," the CEO of the company said in a heated exchange. UAE, Gianetti when Pogacar still had to parade among photographers and journalists behind the finish line – We were ahead, it's a shame we didn't win. But the Tour of Italy it's long."
The Giro is long. Tadej is doing well because he finished ahead and has already put a small gap between himself and the other men in the standings, but it's undeniable that something didn't work. In fact he was left with only one man, Rafal Mayka, a little too soon. And from that moment on, he had the entire group against him more than ever. If that's not a warning sign, it's very close.
While Pogacar, at first silent and serious and then a little more relaxed, is relaxing on the rollers, we intercept Fabio Baldato, the sporting director who guided him in the flagship.
Fabio, show right away…
Yes, spectacular… the idea was to run aggressively. The course was technical, the descents treacherous and risky. We wanted to ride hard to stay ahead, reduce traffic, and avoid risks and dangers. And by running hard, there were soon only a few left.
It's been a tough ride, but it's obvious you're down to just one man, Majka. Are there any dynamics that didn't work out?
A couple of guys performed a little less than expected. They didn't live up to our expectations, but we're not making a big deal out of it. It's the first day of racing, and it can happen. Plus, it was a 140-kilometer stage, so short, and people like Novak e Grosschartner They tried a little harder. Maybe something went wrong, but really nothing major.
Many have actually paid…
A short, explosive stage that some riders digested well and others paid for. But I don't think today is the day to understand the true value of the Giro. We can look at who struggled more than others, that's for sure. But such an explosive first day could have held some surprises. Even more so after three days of rehearsals, interviews, presentations...
Was there uncertainty?
It's easy to find yourself feeling swamped and unsteady. It's happened to a couple of my people, but also to others. Now we'll adjust the shot and I'm convinced that in a few days everyone will find their place.
The feeling is that Pogacar was the strongest on the climb, despite Narvaez holding him off. The Slovenian seemed in complete control, as if he'd been given the cue not to overrev. Is that true?
It would have been nice to win the stage, but that wasn't where the Giro would have been won. Now I have to talk to him and see what he says. Tadej was there, and that's what matters. The others rode on his wheel and on us.
Here it is: “They ran over us.” Will this be the leitmotif of this Giro?
Certainly. And we should be careful not to lose control, patience, and clarity. This stage will serve as a warning to us that we must not lower our guard and that we must not underestimate anyone..
Fabio, you said you need to talk to us. So, in numbers-based cycling, dialogue remains important?
Of course, at least to understand his feelings and what can be done better. It's the first day of the race, we have another twenty to go, and it's important to find the right balance.
Do better
Meanwhile the bus begins to close its doors. Even molano, the last of the UAE Emirates, at the finish line he finished doing the cool down on the rollers, as first Pogacar had done it.
We're talking about cramps: many have had them. It wasn't hot in Turin today, but it wasn't that cool either. In the shade, a light jacket was needed, but in the sun, the rays were beating down. And in these cases, the humidity is high. This changeable weather has put more than a few people under pressure when it comes to hydration.
La UAE Emirates They tell us she usually debriefs on the bus on the way back to the hotel. "Now," she says Matxin – we should talk. It didn't go badly, we wanted to run like this, but there is definitely something to be fixed."
