DECRYPTION – After three weeks of racing, the peloton arrived in Rome this Sunday, where Tadej Pogacar won this edition with disconcerting ease. Find out what pleased and displeased the editorial staff of Le Figaro.
FAVORITES
Pogacar’s life in pink
Worn since the evening of the second day of racing, the pink tunic of leader of the general classification did not leave Tadej Pogacar’s shoulders until Rome. A suprise ? No. But it is necessary to remember that the Slovenian won the Giro hands down for his first participation. Six stage victories – he equals Eddy Merckx, last rider to achieve this feat [1973, NDLR] – almost 10 minutes ahead of his runner-up Daniel Martinez (Bora-Hansgrohe), all while having retained his strength one month before the Tour de France (June 29-July 21), his second big objective of the season. A simple assessment to draw up. The UAE team rider took a stroll on the transalpine roads. Predictable. Geraint Thomas (Ineos) completes the podium.
Read alsoTour of Italy: after his unchallenged domination of the Giro, it’s time for the Tour de France for Pogacar
Alaphilippe, a smile found
He regained his punch which had allowed him to shine before his serious injury. Julian Alaphilippe was one of the main players in this first grand Tour of the season. On the attack as soon as the road rose, the rider from the Soudal Quick-Step team regained a taste for victory during the 12th stage between Martinsicuro and Fano to put an end to a year of drought – his last success dates back to June 6, 2023 on the Critérium du Dauphiné (2nd stage). A successful Giro which could allow him to start the Tour de France. Remco Evenepoel – leader of the Belgian team – hopes so and should put pressure on its sports director Patrick Lefévère. Room for reflection.
Jet of champagne and smile for Julian Alaphilippe. Jennifer Lorenzini / REUTERS
Decathlon-AG2R, the French team in good shape
The French team shone on the Italian roads by winning two stages thanks to Valentin Paret-Peintre and Andrea Vendrame. With 23 victories at the start of the season, Decathlon-AG2R ranks in the Top 3 of teams having won the most races (23) in 2024 behind UAE and Lidl-Trek. A good omen before the start of the Grande Boucle on June 29 in Florence. The French team can rely on a new mount provided by its new sponsor Decathlon. A bike worth 9,000 euros out of stock. Successes that benefit everyone.
Also read: Tour of Italy: “Winning a year after my brother is special,” says Valentin Paret-Peintre
Organizational decisions
«This is probably one of the most poorly organized races. This would never have happened in 99% of other situations. It’s 2024, there are still dinosaurs who don’t see the human side of things.» If some runners like Ben O’Connor have complained about the organization, for our specialists, the RCS made the right decisions. The cancellation of the climb of the legendary Stelvio pass for “avalanche risks» and the reduction of the route of the 16th stage – which took place in dire weather conditions – were taken on time for the safety of the entire peloton. A successful 107th edition of the Giro.
CLAW STRIKES
Romain Bardet, a struggling leader
Aligned with this Tour of Italy as leader, the rider from the dsm-firmenich PostNL team did not achieve his objectives. The Frenchman, who was aiming for a stage victory and a good place overall, achieved neither. Ill during the first stages and without strength the last week of the race, Romain Bardet finished in a disappointing ninth place 20 minutes 32 behind Pogacar. Questioned after arriving in Rome, he arranged to meet the French people. “The more the years go by, the less easy it gets. The general was not my primary objective but it was important for the team. The road put everyone in their place, I have no bitterness. See you on the Tour,” he said.
Caleb Ewan, an Australian in need of a jump
Arriving in October 2023 in the ranks of the Australian team Jayco AlUla after four seasons spent with Lotto Dstny – formerly Lotto Soudal -, the 29-year-old sprinter was timid during these three weeks of Italian races. A 6th place during the 5th stage between Genova and Lucca and then… nothing more. He narrowly finished in the Top 20 [20e avec 48 pts, NDLR] in the ranking of the Cyclamen jersey – best sprinter – won by Jonathan Milan, for the second consecutive year. A disappointing result for a runner of Caleb Ewan’s caliber [5 victoires sur le Tour de France et d’Italie et 1 sur la Vuelta, NDLR]who has a habit of jumping on the right wheels during mass sprints.
The shorts controversy
A controversy that should never have seen the light of day. At the request of the RCS – organizer of the Giro -, Tadej Pogacar wore – during the 3rd stage – purple bib shorts for the 75th anniversary of the Superga air disaster which decimated the Torino football team. Problem, the color was similar to that of Jonathan Milan’s best sprinter’s jersey (Lidl-Trek), which caused a controversy on social networks. For its part, the media Cycling News reported that the International Cycling Union (UCI) was considering disqualifying the UAE leader and his team. Information denied by the UCI in the columns of our colleagues at The Team . “No problem with this jersey thing. No regulations were violated. There was never any question of disqualifying Pogacar., she told the French sports daily. A great piece of “false information” straight from Australia.
