RIMINI – The war of nerves has already begun, we had already noticed it in the pre-race press conferences. After the first stage, it is clear that Pogacar and Vingegaard are playing it cool, launching apparently random messages that already ignite the challenge with a pinch of extra spice.
La Bologna stage It seems designed to make the race explode and something will certainly happen, hoping that the fans know their place, as unfortunately did not happen yesterday at the start.
The assault on Florence
Despite those who claim that there was little of it in Florence, At the start of the race from the Cascine Park, people thought it best to open the barriers and access the bus area directly., leaving no room for the teams, the riders and anyone who had the pretension of working at the start of the first stage of the Tour. And so it happened that Jan Hirt, a Soudal-Quick Step rider, fell to the ground, breaking three teethIt seems that the backpack hooked up to a fan who shouldn't have been there was the deciding factor.
Hirt ran the first stage with a swollen lip and this was rightly highlighted by Patrick Lefevere: «There are 100 rules for the team – he wrote on X – but someone with a backpack dropped Jan Hirt between the signatures and the bus».
"It was complete chaos," comrade Lampaert told Belgian television. "The organization had no control whatsoever. People were walking everywhere. Jan continued to stagger and fell.As riders, we constantly get fined for small things. The organization should take a hard look at itself. It's unacceptable."
The war of nerves
For the rest, on the road to Rimini it was expected a day of hell by the UAE Team Emirates, more than ever intent on taking advantage of Vingegaard's expected delay in fitness. The report says that the team pushed Barbotto, but then was unwilling or unable to follow through. Did Vingegaard suffer from the pressure?
"I'm very happy with how the day went," said the outgoing Tour winner, "but of course we're a little disappointed not to have caught the two escapees. Van Aert was very strong and won the sprint for third place, which could have been a victoryWe both felt good, so we can be happy with the performance. I'm happy with my feelings, and I can look forward to the next three weeks with optimism. I have the legs to fight for the general classification, but fighting for the victory is another thing..
"The Bologna stage will be tougher and more explosive," Vingegaard reasoned, "with two short climbs (the San Luca: 1,9 km at a gradient of 10,6) and fewer climbs overall. It will be different. I gained a lot of confidence in the first stageWe'll see how I feel, I'll do my best and then we'll see."
Everyone waiting for Saint Luke
Pogacar is also aware that Today in Bologna it will be a different story, if only because the San Luca double could remain in the legs For those who reached the finish line yesterday with little energy left, how did things really go between Pogacar and the intense heat of the first stage, which reached 37 degrees?
“It went really well,” Pogacar said. the pace was good and despite the heat I felt great. For me, this is a real advantage. In the sprint, I saw an opening, so I threw myself into the middle and finished fourth. I almost beat two of the fastest men in the group, Van Aert and Pedersen, but I didn't make it.
«But on the climb of San Luca there will be more open tactics and we will witness a bigger battleThe gaps are already widening. I was able to test my legs on the climbs and I was in good shape despite the heat..."
