Giro d'Italia - Pascal Ackermann: Gaviria launched a good sprint for me
May 16 2019 12:18 am CET
Photo of Pascal Ackermann ©Bora-hansgrohe / VeloImages
Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) has taken his second victory at the Giro d'Italia. Despite having an interruption in his sprint, the rider could beat the competition in Terracina.
This is the second victory in the Corsa Rosa for the German national champion and he took it at the end of a cold and wet day in which the General Classification was neutralised in the last lap of the city circuit due to the weather conditions. Ackermann followed Fernando Gaviria after the Colombian launched his sprint but was momentarily interrupted by a Deceuninck-Quick-Step rider, after which the German sprinted again in a strong way that gave him the victory at the last moment.
"I think I was lucky that I could follow Gaviria and stay in his slipstream to keep with his speed but for a moment I stayed behind because one guy was moving away and I was behind but at the end, I could close the gap and follow Gaviria," said Ackermann at the finish line.
"It was a crazy final because you couldn't see very much because of the rain and I just followed my leader man and I trusted him a lot. I was happy that he followed a good gap and he brought me to the front and I was lucky he put me behind Gaviria, who launched a good sprint for me. I am very strong but I am also very lucky. It was very cold today and it was a very difficult day. I think maybe I saved a lot of energy because I am heavier than other guys but I am also lucky."
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