LIVIGNO – When a rider from Team Polti arrives, he looks up towards the summit and asks himself disconsolately if it wasn't possible to get a little higher, the people around him laugh, while Tadej Pogacar is already in the middle of the storyThe stage ended as planned, but between saying and doing there was the final climb and a prodigious climb to catch all the escapees and lastly the brilliant Quintana.
Matxin followed the stage in the journalists' box, 100 meters after the finish line. Sitting on a chair and without being noticed, he sent updates in the DS's WhatsApp group UAE Team Emirates. Times and notes. Just before Tadej attacked, a glance to anticipate what was about to happen. Then, when it was clear that the Slovenian was on his way to victory, we put superstition aside and asked him for some light.The confirmation from the Spanish coach arrived promptly. The attack came at the desired point, where the wind began to be in its favor.And then he admitted that he found it unusual to experience the stages stationary and not in the team car, but leading the team today were the Italian sporting directors: Baldato, Mori and Marcato.
Tadej looks a little tired, but certainly those who continue to arrive after him (they will do so for another hour and 58 minutes) are in a decidedly worse shape.The time trial presented its challengers with a price, but it's reasonable to think that to win here at the top today, he too had to deal with fatigue. However, when he attacked, it seemed like he was flying. Agile and powerful, with that 55 pushed without apparent effort, but the effort was thereHowever, his mood is definitely better than the first week, and you can tell when he jumps from one topic to another with ease and a desire to smile.
Do you remember when you first came to Livigno?
I've been here many times, the first time during my junior year. We stayed in St. Moritz for ten days in a house on a training camp with the national team, which was all we could afford. And so we came to Livigno with a half-broken van to get gas, because it costs less, and to buy some foodThat was my first time, a wonderful memory. From there I've returned almost every year, and it also has one of the best memories of my life. This win gets close to the top of the list, but is still a long way from number one. I'm super happy to be here again and to have won the queen stage.
But now you have to say what is the best memory of your life...
Maybe I can say, what the hell! That's when I really started dating my girlfriend, my girlfriend Urska. The first date was in Livigno, a beautiful moment in my life.
Let's get to the stage. It lasted more than six hours. How was waking up? Can you tell us something about your breakfast, or is it a secret?
No, it's not a secret (laughs, ed.). I woke up at 7,20am, to have breakfast at 7,30amI had rice porridge, basically sweet rice. It paired well with strawberries and blueberries. Then bread, homemade sourdough made by our chef, with a small omelet. Then waffles, also made by our chef, with peach jam and raspberry jam. In short, a hearty breakfast and we remained at the table for about 40 minutes. And at 8,30 we left the hotel to go to the start.
From now on, perhaps a new Giro begins, given that the gaps are so wide. Do you plan to ride cautiously, or will you try to win again and make history?
I don't know what to say, what it takes to be a legend or to make the history of the Giro. But certainly every Giro has its own history and its own storiesIn every great race, something happens that will later go down in the history books. So now I'm thinking more about the rest day here in Livigno, which for me is one of the most beautiful places in Italy. And then we'll see what next week brings. For now I can say that I'm happy with the lead, the results and my team, we'll see the rest day by dayThere are still six stages to go, we hope to arrive in Rome the same way.
Matxin said you executed the plan perfectly: did having Quintana there in front make it more tiring?
Yes, that was exactly the plan. When I heard the difference from Steinhauser, I thought: "Yes, let's do it. Let's try to widen the gap to our opponents in the overall standings." When Majka and I picked up the pace, I didn't have a clear path, but I knew the wind was in my favor and that it would favor me. I like a tailwind. Then I felt that Steinhauser was slowly fading away and that Quintana He had overtaken him. But I never really worried. Even if I hadn't won the stage, it would still have been a fantastic day..
Do you have any memories of Quintana, from when he was fighting for the Tours?
I always watched the Tour when Froome and Quintana were attacking each other and I was always angry with Nairo. I wondered why he didn't try to attack earlier, to sprint ten kilometers from the finish. Instead he always waited for the last three kilometers. These are my memories and it was still beautiful to see on television and think about how I would have liked to do itToday he went strong, all the breakaway riders went.
Attila Valter tried to follow you, but he said it was crazy to realize how easily you could go over 400 watts. Are you surprised that your rivals in the rankings didn't try to follow you?
I didn't look back when Majka accelerated. I knew what we had to do, I know how Rafal runs and also what awaited me. I didn't look back.I just looked ahead and tried to pace myself. I felt Martinez trying to follow me, and he did a really good job. After I got ahead, I knew that if I could breathe, I'd find a really good rhythm, and that's what happened. When I rejoined Attila Valter's group, I immediately gave a little more gasIt's done when you catch a breakaway, because someone always tries to follow you. That's cycling...
Do you miss not having a challenger like Vingegaard?
I know that challenge will come in July. For now, I can say that I'm having fun on this Giro, and from now on, it will allow me to do my thing. I can't wait for July to meet Jonas, Remco, Primoz and maybe someone elseSo, let's get through this week and then focus on July.
Yesterday you showed that you've made great strides in the time trial too: is this good news, especially considering July?
We had already improved the position before the World Championships last year, but it was a bit too aggressive and ruined my glutes and my head too. The one I rode in at the Giro it's a little less aggressive and in the meantime I'm working on my physique to push and adapt better to the positionEvery workout I do is better, I'm really happy with the direction and improvement of my body, my posture, my legs, my motivation. We have to focus until we get to take care of every detail.
After such exciting performances, do you think you're still an athlete with potential?
Certainly yes. I can improve especially in the time trial, because I think the cycling world will bring us even greater challenges in the coming years. And I think I can grow a lot. So let's take it step by step, but I'm really happy with where I am at.The bikes for the Tour de France will have to be perfect.
Some say the Giro is over.
No, the Giro ends on Monte Grappa, in Bassano. It's the last tough mountain stage, a truly brutal day. That's why I kept gaining advantage. Better to do it when you can. Today was a good day.
