An interesting mix of kit 😅 Pogačar was one of the only riders on a rain affected Stage 16 to finish with no gloves and bare arms 👀 📸 Getty Images
"He told me to go and win the stage" - Rafal Majka reveals Tadej Pogacar attempted to gift stage 16 victory at the Giro d'Italia
CyclingWednesday, 22 May 2024 at 10:31
For the fifth time at the 2024 Giro d'Italia, Tadej Pogacar was the first rider to cross the finish line on stage 16 as the Maglia Rosa continues to dominate his rivals. Speaking post-stage however, Pogacar's loyal super-domestique Rafal Majka admitted another stage win wasn't in the initial plan.
“In reality, we didn't want to win today," the Polish climber of UAE Team Emirates told Eurosport immediately following the conclusion of the stage. "But when the other teams tried to close the breakaway we said to ourselves 'why not'. We were still there, with three men. So on the last climb I accelerated and at a certain point I saw that there was only him at my wheel so it was done."
With Movistar Team using some curious tactics during the stage as they burned through their team on the flat without doing much to catch the breakaway and then on the climb attempting repeatedly to send Pelayo Sanchez as a satellite rider for Einer Rubio to chase, UAE Team Emirates took over towards the finale, benefitting from the Spanish teams work with Pogacar launching at around 2km to go and quickly working his way past the the remainder of the day's break.
"Pogacar told me to go and win the stage, but I already felt tired after accelerating and I told him to go and win another stage," the 34-year-old Polish climber concludes his reflection of the stage. "Really, we didn't want to win today..."
After attempting to gift the stage win to his loyal teammate, Pogacar did gift his race-worn sunglasses and Maglia Rosa to the 20-year-old Italian of VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè, Giulio Pellizzari who bravely held on to second place after being the last man from the breakaway to be caught by the UAE Team Emirates leader.
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- You continue to platform these two cheats. With that in mind I can no longer use your site. I know my leaving means little, but, sometimes you have to take a stand. See ya!DJ21-12-2024
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- Bruyneel understands nothing about clean competition.Sweep21-12-2024
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- Fortunately and as you point out, more than one strategy is possible and worth trying and I’m sure all concerned riders are well informed and counselled on this subject and don’t need such basic personal advice through media from an outsider.Mistermaumau21-12-2024
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- Ahhh..... you have to understand the "strange" diversity concepts of the BBCslappers6621-12-2024
- Avoiding him is a good strategy, you get more wins and then you can compete in the TDF relatively relaxed. Pit yourself against Pogi and not only there will be no wins, it will be considerable mental setbackabstractengineer21-12-2024