Could the second tier
Tudor Pro Cycling Team really win a Grand Tour? If the performances of GC leader
Michael Storer at the
Tour of the Alps this week are anything to go by, it's not completely out of the question. The Australian starred in the Alps again on the final stage, embarking on a long-range raid to reclaim the race lead from
Thymen Arensman and secure the overall victory.
With around 35km to go, the Tudor Pro Cycling Team exploded the GC group as
Florian Stork set a monster pace in an uphill leadout for Storer. Whilst Arensman was initially able to follow, when the Aussie moved off his teammate's wheel and onto the attack himself, the INEOS Grenadiers leader was quickly distanced.
"[I'm] super, super happy with my week. I just wish it was a little bit less complicated of a race. I literally had to attack every single day," reflected Storer in his post-stage interview afterwards. "The guys were incredible today. We were a well-oiled machine, we didn't put one foot wrong, and I have to thank every single member of the team."
Next up for the 28-year-old is the aforementioned
Giro d'Italia. Having claimed a top-10 on GC in Italy last year, Storer returns looking like a genuine contender for the Maglia Rosa if he can keep this immense level of climbing up. "I'm definitely in good shape," he concludes with optimism. "Hopefully I can continue in this way to the Giro."
I hope you can, Michael! but... here in Italy there is a curse "whoever wins Il Giro degli Alpi, no will win IL Giro D'Italia"... I hope you can break the enchantment.