On a shortened stage 13 at the
Giro d'Italia,
Geraint Thomas kept hold of the Maglia Rosa as the expected GC battle never really materialised. The
INEOS Grenadiers leader believes he has worked out the strategy of
Jumbo-Visma and
Primoz Roglic.
"I was expecting some big attacks in the final, but I think Primoz is happy to keep me in the jersey for a few more days so we can control the race. He is waiting for his moment," the Welshman explains in his post-stage interview.
The stage was eventually won by
Einer Rubio. Alongside the
Movistar Team rider at the front of the race was
Thibaut Pinot who started the day just over four minutes down on Thomas. "We stayed calm, we knew it was a small group," Thomas says. “When the group went with Pinot, we kept control. Ben Swift and Pavel Sivakov were not far behind. They've done a really good job of staying close by."
“They came back on the descent and then were able to do the valley and the first part of the final climb. Everything was under control," he continues. "Pinot is of course a great rider, we didn't want him to take a big chunk of time back. The boys checked it very well."