Giro d'Italia - Giulio Ciccone: This is an incredible moment for me
May 29 2019 05:12 am CET
Trek-Segafredo
Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) took the victory of a stage he had marked as one of his goals for this edition of the Giro d'Italia. The rider also extended his lead in the King of the Mountain classification of the race.
The Italian rider was part of the breakaway of the day and climbed the Mortirolo at such pace that only Jan Hirt managed to stay with him. Despite being visibly cold and uncomfortable, Ciccone managed to take more KOM points to extend his lead in the mountain classification and still have enough strength to sprint for the stage victory.
"For sure this is one of the best moments of my career," said Ciccone at the end of the stage. "This is my second victory in the Giro, and the first was, of course, very good, but this stage for me was my dream. With the Mortirolo and the Aprica...this is an incredible moment for me."
"This stage was my favourite stage in this Giro with Mortirolo. When I knew I had won I yelled because I felt finally free of two years of frustrations since winning my first stage at the Giro and because there was a bit of everything today – the hills, rain, cold... And yes, because it was a bit nervous the finish. If you arrive with two riders, it's always uncertain. I was nervous when Hirt was not working, as I didn't know the distance to the others behind. But the day finished the best way possible. In the end, it's okay like this."
Ciccone sits at the top of the KOM classification with 229 points while Richard Carapaz is in second place with 66 points. "I also gained all the points in the mountains, and I have a good advantage in the classification, but I am very happy for the stage because it was the first goal for the team and me in this Giro. Now I also have this jersey, and for sure we will try to keep it."
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