ANDn a chaotic day of the Giro d’Italia, in which the leader, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates), achieved a crushing victory, the Colombian Daniel Martínez (Bora) regained second place on the podium, the same one that lost in the 31 kilometer time trial, displacing the Welshman Geraint Thomas (Ineos) to third place after 118 kilometers between rain, snow, wet ground and inclement cold.
The bad weather forced the organization to shorten the route to just 118 kilometers, after pressure from the runners, who warned that the descent from the summit of Giogo de Santa Maria/Umbrail, the first ascent of the day, was dangerous for the physical integrity. The organization wanted to follow the official route, but the runners refused to get on the bike in those weather conditions.
The cyclists, with their union mobilized, once again won the game against the organization.
Above all, safety, and with the snow the protagonists of the Giro were in danger. Finally, in the cold, wind and rain, the platoon set off well covered. The finish was tough, with ramps of up to 16 percent incline, and there the climbers’ party returned.
Tadej Pogacar quickened his pace again and, with two kilometers to go, jumped off the lot. Martínez reacted to this, seeing how Thomas lost his step and he returned to second place in the classification, which was only 15 seconds away.
Pogacar caught up with the Italian Giulio Pellizzari, passed him and scored his fifth victory in his first Giro and gained more seconds over his rivals.
Martínez entered the third box and with the bonus of four seconds and the difference with respect to Thomas he already left him behind and achieved a cushion of 22 seconds, a time that could be increased in the remaining mountain days.
Bora coach trusts in the ability of Daniel Martínez
And he added: “We came here as a team to support Martínez. That was the clearly defined role and he is doing it well. Where will we end up in Rome? There are still days of racing and the last part, as always, is tough, but apparently the plans are being fulfilled as we have outlined them. That’s why we are sure we can do it well. I don’t want to say what we can do, but I think Daniel is very strong.”
Daniel Felipe Martínez
Photo:
“The stage immediately after a rest day can be complicated, especially on a course as tough as today. It was certainly a cold day in the saddle, and I think a lot of guys found it difficult. Despite the conditions, I felt good in the small general group and I am very satisfied with my performance,” declared Martínez, 28 years old and born in Soacha, Cundinamarca.
The remaining route suits the Colombian runner well, as it is very mountainous. We already saw how Thomas (38 years old) lost meters, while Daniel Martínez is seen in good condition.
This Wednesday a new mountain stage will be held, with five climbs and 160 kilometers of route, and enemies such as rain, snow and wet ground stalk the competition.
On the route there are two second-category mountain prizes, one of the third and two of the first, the last one is on the sentencing line. This will be a difficult day due to the weather and, above all, because the strength of the cyclists is very tight.
Lisandro Rengifo
Editor of EL TIEMPO
@Lisand
roAbel
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