Gaviria furious after gear issues blow stage win chances: "it's something that I can't say on the TV"

Fernando Gaviria has been having a rough season with crashes and illnesses. He recovered from an early-season injury to return to the peloton just before the Giro d'Italia, and has had a second place at Eschborn-Frankfurt. Today, he finished runner-up once again and has visbily frustrated as he pulled on his handlebars several times whilst going over the finish line.

“The anger and frustration is there because I want to win, being so close, feeling the legs, trying to fight it and then losing, I don't like it," the Colombian said in a post-race interview. Gaviria survived the ascent early on in the day where Alpecin-Fenix's rhythm, and was one of the big favourites to fight for the stage win in the streets of Messina.

Sure enough, as in stage three, he was present and close to the win, but once again he finished just behind Arnaud Démare - only this time, to finish second place. A strong result, but one that did not satisfy the sprinter of UAE Team Emirates as he couldn't capitalize on a good opportunity to take a stage win.

He has been reported to say "what a shit bike" and "I can’t say anything. Because I'll get told off. I can say absolutely nothing about the bike," according to Cyclingnews. He had a very high cadence on the final sprint, suggesting possible gear issues. It was very clear his emotions were beyond negative, having told Eurosport that "it's something that I can't say on the TV."

"I've been stupid to get mad, but these are career things. There are still many stages to go and we will keep trying," he concluded. Tomorrow in Scalea Gaviria will have another opportunity, however he will likely not have the pleasure of not having Ewan and Cavendish once again in the finale.