photo credits @ Giro d’Italia
Tadej Pogačar added another stage victory to his tally in this year’s Giro d’Italia, after the Slovian ride claimed today’s stage 16 summit finish at Santa Cristina Valgardena, rising out of the saddle during the short but sharp final climb to catch and pass lone leader Giulio Pellizzarri (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) during the final 2km to seize the win.
In the meantime, Pellizzarri managed to edge out Dani Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe) at the line to finish second.
Pellizzari had been part of a chase effort that got underway along the Passo Pinei with 14km to go, taking Ewen Costiou (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) and Cristian Scaroni (Astana Qazaqstan) with him to hunt the last rider reminaing from the early breakaway, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-QuickStep), making it across to the Frenchman 5km from the line.
Alaphilippe had to let go at the front with just 2.5km from the finish, but at that point the peloton lay fewer than 20 seconds back, while Pogačar’s attack was imminent.
First Costiou, then Pellizzari, attempted to stave off the inevitable, but it was to no avail, as the dominant man of the race sped past on the way to yet another win.
As a result, Pogačar extends his overall lead over seven minutes for the first time – he now enjoys an advantage of 7:18 over. Thomas’s off day in the rainy Alps, meanwhile, saw him cross the line in 15th place, 49 down on Martínez, having held second by 15 seconds overnight. He now lies third at 34 off second place at 7:40 down.
“The day started really on and off and we didn’t know what to do, but when we started it was fine,” Pogačar said after his win, his 12th of 2024. “The breakaway went, and it was good for us, and we sat back and tried to relax but Movistar kept on pushing and kept the breakaway close and then they went really fast on the second last climb and then the final 2km we tried to control and then Rafał had enough. He said we push on we try to make some gaps.
“Since yesterday, it was just thinking to be safe yesterday. In the end, it was good for us and also good for the people, good for everybody so i think we should be happy given the circumstances.
”I was thinking that Pellizzari would win today’s stage and he was close and I’m super happy that he arrives second also,” he added. “I really admire him in this Giro already and he sent me a photo that we took in 2019 I was actually a small kid and he was also a small kid and it was an amazing memory from Strade Bianche and now he’s here and he’s going really strong and maybe he can win a stage this week.”
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