Bradley Wiggins (Sky) was compelled to overcome a puncture to finish a strong second in the stage eight time trial at the Giro d’Italia today after another stroke of bad luck.
The Olympic time trial champion crossed the finish line 10 seconds down on compatriot and former team-mate, Alex Dowsett (Movistar), in a feat which promoted Wiggins back up to fourth overall.
A stage victory may have been the objective but Wiggins displayed a controlled performance across the massive 55.5km course and finished with a bout on the final climb up to Saltara, gaining time on all of his presumed GC rivals.
“I think there was some initial disappointment because I wanted to win the stage," Wiggins admitted afterwards on the Sky website. "It’s been a challenging few days with the crash yesterday and then to come back up. It wasn’t an easy course. I’ve said all along that it wasn’t one of those where you could take three or four minutes out of people because it was so technical at the start.
"Then obviously to have a puncture and have to change bikes and disrupt the rhythm is never going to help. But then the second part of the course was really suited to me and I took back a lot of time on people there. It is what it is and it’s put us right back up there now. It’s going to be a hell of a race for the next two weeks."
“I think I rode it pretty well," he continued. "I was a bit ruffled after the bike change and didn’t get the best out of myself on that technical part of the course. It was a bit damp still as well so I was a bit cautious – especially after crashing yesterday. But from Pesaro onwards I really got into my stride and I think physically I was as good as I’ve ever been. But it is the way it is. We’ll deal with it now, but I’m pleased at the same for Alex Dowsett. It’s a brilliant start to his Grand Tour career."
"We’re still here and we’ve got three guys in the top 10 now. We’ve got a few cards to play.”
21.04 - 28.04: Presidential Cycling Tour of T... |
23.04 - 28.04: Tour de Romandie |
24.04 - 28.04: Tour of the Gila Women |
24.04 - 28.04: Tour of the Gila |
25.04 - 28.04: Gracia |
26.04 - 28.04: Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez ... |
27.04 - 28.04: GP West Bohemia |
28.04: Giro di Primavera |
28.04: Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic |
28.04: Ceratizit Festival Elsy Jacobs Luxe... |
Marek VOLF 35 years | today |
Alexis RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ 47 years | today |
Emilio ASCONEGUY 50 years | today |
Joanie CARON 40 years | today |
Andriy ROZHONYUK 27 years | today |
© CyclingQuotes.com