4th overall, Damiano Caruso: "I was also a little sad to see the disappointment on Geraint Thomas's face"

Damiano Caruso closed this Giro d'Italia as 4th best rider in the overall classification. This performance confirmed that his 2nd spot from two years ago was not a coincidence at all and that the 35-year old is still more than competitive.

Caruso talked with SpazioCiclismo following the Monte Lussari ITT: "I knew that these last few days would be decisive and that turned out to be the case," said the 35-year-old Italian. “Yesterday (stage 19) I had great legs in the final phase, so I was pretty sure that I would put in a great performance today (stage 20) as well.”

“I even had the best time at the finish. The three strongest riders still had to come, but there was not a big gap between me and Almeida, who I took as a reference point.” Almeida was third on the mountain time trial to Monte Lussari, thirteen seconds ahead of Caruso. The latter lost 55 seconds to winner Primož Roglič.

The Bahrain Victorious rider congratulated Roglic on the overall victory. “He really put down a great show. Although I was also a little sad to see the disappointment on Geraint Thomas's face, because I think it was hard for him. He will have to deal with this defeat. But it is also the beauty of cycling that surprises are always lurking.”

Finally, Caruso also wanted to thank the fans who supported him throughout the Giro. “I'm incredibly grateful for this. If I held on on the difficult days in this Giro, it was mostly to not disappoint myself and the fans. So I thank them all.”