Giro d'Italia - Gino Mäder: We wanted to race aggressively
May 14 2021 07:10 am CET
Team Bahrain Victorious
Bahrain Victorious' Gino Mäder has taken the victory of the sixth stage at the Giro d'Italia after being part of the breakaway.
The Swiss rider, along with his teammate Matej Mohoric, were part of the escape of the day, which lasted until the end. The Slovenian worked hard to increase the gap of the breakaway with the pack and give his teammate the chance of taking the victory, one day after the team lost their leader Mikel Landa due to the injuries of a heavy crash.
"Yesterday was a really sad day to lose Mikel due to the crash," said Mäder. "We had some new goals today, as we do not have to protect Mikel anymore. So we wanted to race aggressively. We wanted to take part in the race differently and go for a breakaway, and I had Matej with me in the day’s breakaway. He did incredible work, and he believed in me. He already believed in me yesterday and told me this is your stage to win. I’m just really happy that it paid off and that we could finish it like this today.
"Actually, what I learned from my past races is if you’re not the strongest, you have to go in a breakaway to have a chance to do something. You can’t influence the way the other guys are racing, so as soon as you have an opportunity to go for a victory, you have to play your cards, and you have to go all the way to the finish line. The only thing you can influence is your power, speed, and so on, be focused, and not lose any energy thinking about the other guys.
"Regarding our following stages on Giro, we had a discussion today in the bus. My humble opinion is that we keep on racing aggressively, we keep on taking the opportunities that we get, and if it is that I can join a breakaway again, I’m surely going to try for it. If I have to work for somebody else, I’m pleased to do so and enjoy the Giro, which is the most beautiful race in the world for me, and it’s the race I always dreamed of. I can enjoy this great opportunity and make the best out of it and achieve for Team Bahrain Victorious."
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