SEmanuel Buchmann already missed a first goal at the spectacular start of the 105th Giro d’Italia in Hungary. After all the bankruptcies, bad luck and breakdowns, the German tour hope wanted to get through without a fall. But the podium contender landed on the asphalt in the individual time trial, meaning that he travels to Sicily with a handicap more than a minute behind. “My front wheel slipped off. I was back on the bike quickly, it should still be fine,” said Buchmann, describing his mishap.
For the time being, the 29-year-old has fallen behind. After the third stage, which British former world champion Mark Cavendish won on Sunday after 201 kilometers from Kaposvar to Balatonfüred in a sprint in front of Frenchman Arnaud Demare and Colombian Fernando Gaviria, Buchmann is 1:08 minutes behind first place overall and first-place winner Mathieu van der Poel .
But his two teammates Wilco Kelderman (Netherlands) and Jai Hindley (Australia), who, like Buchmann, started as equal captains, already have a lead. That could be crucial if there is a strategy change in the Bora-hansgrohe team at some point.
Buchmann’s helper Lennard Kämna made the positive headlines from a German point of view on the first few days. The 2020 Tour de France stage winner, who had an almost nine-month break from racing last year also due to mental problems, presented himself in an attacking mood again. Already on Friday, the 25-year-old startled the field with a sharp attack shortly before the finish, one day later the former junior world champion drove to a strong eighth place in the time trial.
“Impressive and so beautiful”
“That was important for my self-confidence, that I have the power,” said Kämna, who exudes “great desire” – also in view of the huge crowds of spectators in Hungary: “It was impressive and so nice to drive in front of such a backdrop.” He then wants to pursue his goal on Italian soil from Tuesday, when the Giro entourage makes its way up to Etna. A stage victory is to come, just like in 2020, when he drove away from the Olympic champion and ex-Giro champion Richard Carapaz on the way to Villard-de-Lans in the Tour de France.
Buchmann does not have daily successes in mind. After his fourth place at the 2019 Tour, he finally wants to be on the podium in a grand tour. Falls and illnesses had thrown the climbing artist back again and again in the last two years. Last year he was a promising sixth in the Giro up to the 15th stage, before he had to retire after a fall with a concussion and bruises on his face.
At this year’s Giro, Buchmann relies on the third week when the difficult mountain stages are pending. Then he wants to have reached his top level. Finally, in April, bronchitis had thrown him off balance. If he really wants to be on the podium in Verona on May 29, he shouldn’t allow himself any more falls.
