MADRID, 26 (EUROPA PRESS)
The Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) completed his overall victory at the 2024 Giro d’Italia at the head of the peloton until the last half kilometer of the final stage in Rome, which was won by the Belgian Tim Merlier (Soudal QuickStep) in the sprint. ).
Pogacar, with six stages under his belt, had no rival and wanted to be ahead until almost the last finish line, with a 77 kilometer circuit within the Italian capital. Eight laps where the runners had to be attentive to tight curves, pavé and slopes, with an exciting outcome among the sprinters.
The best, Merlier and Jonathan Milan (Lidl Trek), met again despite the Italian having to change bikes seven kilometers from the finish line. That is why victories are not celebrated until the end and, in this case, it was difficult for Milan to fight for the last one. However, the Lidl Trek pulled and the Italian recovered in a big way to fight the sprint with a Merlier that equaled the three stage victories of the Italian wonder.
Third was the Australian Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck), just ahead of the Colombian Fernando Gaviria (Movistar), who also failed to reach Merlier’s attack 250 meters from the finish line. The ‘pink jersey’ of Pogacar, champion of the Tour de France in 2020 and 2021, was visible until the first attacks in search of victory, putting a golden signature on his first Giro.
UAE Team Emirates set the pace on the Roman circuit, with Pogacar leading since his victory in the second stage at the Santuario di Oropa, adding the mountain classification to his overall. Alex Baudin (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Mikkel Honoré (EF Education-EasyPost), Ewen Costiou (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) and Martin Marcellusi (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) starred in the latest escape.
The four of them, already in the laps of the circuit, had close to 30 seconds with 50 kilometers to go, but the peloton cut their options with just over 10 seconds left. Despite the fear of losing what was gained, the pace was high and Milan was the worst stopped with a puncture that made him lose strength in recovery instead of an attack that he undoubtedly had planned in search of poker.
–CLASSIFICATIONS.
-Stage.
1. Tim Merlier (BEL/Soudal QuickStep) 2:51:50.
2. Jonathan Milan (ITA/Lidl-Trek) m.t.
3. Kaden Groves (AUS/Alpecin-Deceuninck) mt
4. Fernando Gaviria (COL/Movistar Team) mt
5. Tim Van Dijke (NED/Tim Team Visma) mt
-General.
1. Tadej Pogacar (ESV/UAE Team Emirates) 79:14:03.
2. Daniel Felipe Martínez (COL/BORA-hansgrohe) at 9:56.
3. Geraint Thomas (GBR/INEOS Grenadiers) 10:24.
4. Ben O’Connor (AUS/Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) 12:07.
5. Antonio Tiberi (ITA/Bahrain-Victorious) 12:49.
2024-05-26 16:51:49
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