“I had planned to accelerate between 4.5 and 3.5 kilometers from the finish,” revealed the Slovenian. “I didn't know the climb very well, and it was difficult to decide where to accelerate, but we did well. Rafal Majka's work in the difficult part allowed me to attack”, analyzed the winner of the day.
Giro: Tadej Pogacar already seizes the pink jersey at the Sanctuary of Oropa
The pink jersey already belongs to the favorite of the event, who is 45 seconds ahead of his closest pursuer, Geraint Thomas. “I was only aiming for a stage victory and a gap. I wanted to test the legs and dreamed of taking the pink jersey. Now I can relax a little during the next few days”, while the next stages favor a finish grouped.
Pogacar experienced a mechanical problem 10 kilometers from the finish but did not panic. “I wasn't really scared. I had a flat tire, and I think I broke the wheel. I crashed, but it wasn't anything serious. I felt good, the team was excellent and I “helped us get back in front before setting the pace.”
The Slovenian entered the club of stage winners on the three grand tours. “It was one of my dreams after winning a stage of the Tour de France. I was only missing one stage of the Tour of Italy. It has always been in my mind. Few riders have won a stage on the three grand tours, it’s a great achievement and I’m very happy about it,” he concluded.
Giro: Tadej Pogacar falls just before the final climb and narrowly avoids being run over by his car
