Tadej Pogacar, Geraint Thomas look ahead to 'monstrous' Stage 15 to Livigno - 'The Giro starts here'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 17/05/2024 at 18:07 GMT
The Giro d'Italia has not seen any real movement in the GC during the second week, but don't expect that to last this weekend with two hugely significant stages. Saturday will see the second individual time trial before Sunday's "monstrous" Stage 15 up to Livigno that contains a whopping 5,400 metres of climbing. Tadej Pogacar and Geraint Thomas are under no illusions as to the task ahead.
'Everyone trying to pick holes' - McEwen speculates on what's behind Pogacar 'irritation'
The second week of the Giro d'Italia has thrown up the brilliant renaissance of Julian Alaphilippe, the sprinting dominance of Jonathan Milan, and the solo skills of Valentin Paret-Peintre.
But there has been comparatively little action from a GC perspective, with Tadej Pogacar's win on Stage 8 the last time there was any movement in the standings.
That could, and should, all change this weekend with the twin tests of an individual time trial and then Sunday's brutal Stage 15 up to Livigno that will feature the small matter of 5,400 metres of climbing.
Pogacar, in the maglia rosa with an advantage of 2'40" to Dani Martinez (Bora-Hansgrohe), is well aware of what lies ahead.
“The Livigno stage is a monstrous stage, so we can expect big gaps on that stage, especially if the weather comes into play,” Pogacar said.
“It will be one of the hardest stages we’ve ever done. It’s going to be a tough one, but we are ready.”
And speaking to Eurosport ahead of Stage 13's pan flat run to Cento, Pogacar was clear that he needed to try and rest.
"Let's hope for an easy day," he said. "Because after today, the real, real Giro starts with a time trial and brutal hard stages."
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/05/17/3969439-80583493-2560-1440.jpg)
'Let's hope for an easy day,' says Pogacar ahead of 'brutal' stages
Geraint Thomas lies third on GC at 2'56" behind Pogacar, and is eyeing chances to move himself up in the standings.
The Briton concurred with the Slovenian that this weekend is when the Giro really clicks into gear.
Taking time out from the race to speak on his 'Watts Occurring' podcast, Thomas said: "[The plan is] obviously to be ready to be aggressive if the moment's there and the legs are good.
"But just race the race, you know?
"For sure, we'll have some sort of plan at the start, but I think it's definitely a day where you want to try and have a good day. We'll see what happens.
"Sunday is just a big day. Then it's a rest day after that at altitude, as well.
"There's a big block coming up, and we've got a lot of climbing in the last week as well.
"The Giro starts this weekend."
Saturday's ITT is a flat 31.2km parcours finishing in Desenzano del Garda, and the riders then set off from Manerba del Garda on Sunday, finishing in Livigno 222km later at 2,385 metres altitude.
Stream the cycling season, including the Giro d'Italia, live on discovery+
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement