"I really went full throttle and was at my limit" - Marc Hirschi missing a little something as he fades to fifth at the Giro del Veneto

Pre-race, Marc Hirschi had been one of the favourites for victory at the Giro del Veneto however despite things looking promising for the UAE Team Emirates rider heading into the finale, Hirschi was forced to settle for fifth.

“I no longer had that extra push, but I did try everything,” the Swiss national champion recapped post-race to Wielerflits, immediately following the race which saw Dorian Godon take the victory with Tobias Johannessen and Florian Vermeersch completing the podium. “It was very tough, also mentally. Every mistake can cost you a lot of positions and at the end of the season it all feels even harder."

Despite the disappointment, another top-five finish continues the positive end of season form for Hirschi that has also seen high placings at the likes of Coppa Agostoni, Coppa Bernocchi and Gran Piemonte.

“Many riders have given up and you have to be 100% mentally fit to go for a good result here," he concludes. “No, it all went well. At 100 meters from the finish I was closed in a bit and there I lost some speed. But that always happens in finals. Things almost never go perfectly. I really went full throttle and was at my limit, so this was the maximum possible.”