2 years ago, he suffered an accident that required 16 surgeries. 4 months ago, he did not have a contract. Today, 39-year-old Domenico Pozzovivo finished 8th of the #Giro. Legend.
Domenico Pozzovivo "can only be happy" with miraculous comeback at Giro d'Italia
CyclingTuesday, 31 May 2022 at 08:30
At the beginning of the year few would have expected Domenico Pozzovivo to ever ride in the World Tour again, however not only has he returned to the peloton, but he's also done so in style as he brought in another strong performance for the Belgian team, and showed to still have the legs to ride with the best in the mountains.
"Knowing where I come from, I can only be happy with this GC top ten. I was only one step away from the end of my career, as I didn’t have a team before February," Pozzovivo said after riding his 16th Giro - and his sixth in the Top10. "But especially because of my accident from two years ago, after which the doctors doubted whether I would ever be able to ride a bike again."
He's had a career full of accident, including one in 2019 which saw his career in jeopardy. After Team Qhubeka NextHash saw it's future fold in December, Pozzovivo was left without a contract and with little hopes of returning to the peloton. However, Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux took him under their wings in February, and have seen the 39-year old prolong his extensive career with a strong Giro d'Italia.
He rode into form during the race, looking specifically good in the second week where he managed to enter the Top5. A crash on the descent of the Passo del Mortirolo saw him in a complicated position, having lost time and descended to tenth place on stage 16, however climbed back up to eighth place in stage 18.
"Despite this bad luck, the crash in the downhill of the Mortirolo included, I never gave up. Fourteen years after my first top ten, I am still here. I can be proud of this result," the veteran added. He stayed solid in the final two stages in the mountains to preserve his eighth place.
However, the veteran will not be taking much rest, as he is looking to carry his form already into his next goals. "Speaking just after the race, I cannot say what this means for my future, but what I know for sure, is that I want to benefit from my good condition to do a good Tour of Switzerland," he concluded.
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