"He’s never done GC longer than seven or eight days" - Luke Plapp entering 'unchartered territory' at Giro d'Italia says Jayco's Matt White

Up to 15th overall after his breakaway escapades on stage 6 of the 2024 Giro d'Italia, Luke Plapp is dreaming of a top-10 by the time the race reaches Rome.

“We know it’s cliché but he’s never done GC longer than seven or eight days,” assesses Team Jayco AlUla boss, Matt White in conversation with GCN after the Australian National Champion finished third on stage 6. Although Plapp gained 28 seconds in the general classification, at times during the day he was in the virtual Maglia Rosa.

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"We really are going into uncharted territories next week," White continues, with the stage 7 individual time-trial another real test for the general classification contenders. "The first thing is to get through a TT and a hard mountain stage and then we’ll see where he is. But we’re certainly not going to throw GC away. We know at the back end of this race it is really tough, it’s a tough ask for him, but let’s see what he’s up for.”

As far as the time-trial goes however, White cannot see past Tadej Pogacar for the stage win. “I think Pogacar is unbeatable tomorrow," he predicts. "I think it’s too much climbing for Ganna, I think Ganna will probably be the fastest one out [of the blocks] but the approach to the old city is pretty tough and a guy of his size is at a disadvantage. I think Pogacar can get the job done tomorrow.”

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