19/05/2023

"I think this is a good decision" - Geraint Thomas backs extreme weather protocol use at Giro d'Italia

Geraint Thomas is in the lead of the Giro d'Italia and he views positively the decision to shorten stage 13. Heavy rain once again was present at the start of a 200-kilometer day in the mountains, and the proposed alternative is an explosive 74-kilometer stage.

"There was already a discussion with the CPA last night. All the teams have made it known what they wanted to do," Thomas revealed at the start of today's stage - with was neutralized, before the riders hopped on the bus for the real one. "I think this is a good decision. It will still be a tough ride and it also means we won't be riding in the cold for a few extra hours.”

PREVIEW | Giro d'Italia 2023 stage 13 - First day in the Alps sees three massive climbs and expected GC chaos

With many falling ill due to the weather conditions, excluding the crashes - which have recently taken out his teammate Tao Geoghegan Hart out of the race - the riders have been through hell over the past few days, with many reporting immense struggle due to the conditions, whilst others have simply fallen off the overall classification because of the inability to perform.

“I think it's a good compromise. The ride will be even tougher," Thomas continues. The new start of the stage is at the base of Croix de Couer, the first of two climbs now on the menu. "It is a difficult climb, and we start at the foot. There will be a lot of attacks right away, but we shouldn't make it harder for ourselves. It is important to check on the first climb, then it is still 45 kilometers to the finish.”

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Thomas leads Primoz Roglic by only two seconds, and João Almeida by 22. The pink jersey will be in dispute today and the INEOS Grenadiers rider will likely have good support uphill, but not as much as he would've hoped for at the start of the second week.

“It is the first real mountain stage. Normally the [overall] classification riders will fight it out, because there is always a team that wants to keep it together. At least that's what we expect. I'm feeling good. It is a pity that the weather is so bad, but I am looking forward to today," he concluded.